USE OF BEAD FILTERS IN ORNAMENTAL AQUACULTURE

Ornamental aquaculture is increasingly using indoor, recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) for broodstock, hatcheries, grow-out, and holding due to a number of factors including water consumption constraints and the costs associated with water treatment (e.g. artificial seawater, soft water, etc.).  While biological loading within these systems is typically much lower than food fish operations, management of nitrogenous wastes, water clarity, and other key parameters is as, or more important to success than with some "hardy" food fish species.

Bead filters are widely used to manage water quality in the ornamental industry due to their dual function of biological and mechanical filtration.  This presentation will highlight some of the applications with ornamental species both in production and research settings.