Live Feed

Management
GREEN WATER & BROWN WATER
MANAGEMENT
• GREEN and BROWN WATER - the primary differences between green
water and brown water technology in aquaculture relate to the
presence and management of phytoplankton (green water) versus
dissolved organic matter (brown water) in the aquatic environment.
• Both systems have unique characteristics and require specific
management approaches to ensure sustainable aquaculture practices
and optimal water quality for cultured organisms.
Algal Taxonomy
Prokaryotic algae:
Cyanophyta (blue-green algae, cyanobacteria)

Eukaryotic algae:
Chlorophyta (the green algae)
Chlorophyceae*
Charophyceae (the charophytes)
Euglenophyta* (the euglenoids)
Phaeophyta/Ochrophyta (the brown algae)
Chrysophyta (the golden-brown algae)
Chrysophyceae* (the chrysophytes)
Prymnesiophyceae*
(the prymnesiophytes incl. the coccolithophorids)
Xanthophyceae (the xanthophytes)
Eustigmatophyceae* (the eustigmatophytes)
Bacillariophyceae* (the diatoms)
Pyrrhophyta* (the dinoflagellates)
Rhodophyta* (the red algae)
Cryptophyta* (the cryptophytes)
 GREEN WATER AQUACULTURE
• Green water is a technology commonly used in
• Green water technology in aquaculture refers to a method of
aquaculture.
aquaculture that utilizes natural productivity and nutrient
cycling within the aquatic environment to support the growth of • The benefits have been shown for several (marine) fish
cultured organisms, such as fish, shrimp, or shellfish. species, molluscs and crustaceans. The method consists of
adding algae in the water during larvae culture.
• This approach focuses on harnessing the benefits of
phytoplankton and natural ecosystem dynamics to enhance • A new and better technology to culture shrimps is being
water quality and provide nutrition to the cultured species. used by many enterprising shrimp
farmers nowadays. Green water technology is a technique
• Green water technology promotes a sustainable and nature- that cultures shrimps in water that is abundant in
based approach to aquaculture by harnessing the inherent phytoplankton.
productivity of the aquatic environment. By leveraging
phytoplankton and natural nutrient cycling, green water • In this system, tilapia is also grown in the reservoir or net
systems can support healthy and efficient aquaculture cages/ pens in the ponds. The green water produced from
production while minimizing environmental impacts. tilapia helps control the growth of luminous bacteria that is
bad for the growth of the shrimps
- Hijau muda pada
peringkat awal.
- Biasanya berlaku selepas
kira-kira seminggu induk
disimpan dalam tangki
- Pertumbuhan alga dalam
air baru bermula.
- Tidak perlu menukar air.
- Kepekatan warna hijau
meningkat.
- Selalunya berlaku
selepas kira-kira 2
minggu induk disimpan
dalam tangki.
- Pertumbuhan alga yang
aktif dan cepat
- Tidak perlu menukar air.
- Hijau tua.
- Berlaku selepas > 2 atau 3
minggu selepas induk
disimpan dalam tangki.
- Ketumbuhan alga yang
sudah tepu.
- Perlu menukar 20 – 30%
daripada keseluruhan air
setiap 1 atau 2 hari,
mengikut keperluan.
- Hijau coklat.
- Berlaku sekiranya
penukaran air tidak
dilakukan
- Alga mula mati dan diganti
oleh spesies alga yang lain.
- Perlu menukar 50%
daripada keseluruhan air
setiap 1 atau 2 hari,
mengikut keperluan.
- Coklat.
- Berlaku sekiranya
pertumbuhan alga tidak
dapat dikekalkan walaupun
penukaran air sudah
dilakukan
- Kebanyakan alga sudah
mati.
- Perlu menukar keseluruhan
air.
- Coklat tua.
- Alga mati sepenuhnya.
- Air tangki mesti ditukar bagi
mengelak kejadian yang tidak
diingini seperti kematian ikan
disebabkan oleh stres, kekurangan
oksigen terlarut dan serangan
penyakit berlaku
• The fish and shrimp that grow in
such water consume the “natural
food” exclusively or in addition to
aquafeed.

• “natural food” - types?

• Most of the productivity in “green

water” ponds is photosynthetic.

• The role of microalgae and other

planktonic microbes as aquaculture
food in “green water” ponds has been
noted by phycologists and aquaculture
nutritionists.
CASE STUDY
• Whitespot syndrome virus (WSSV) has caused severe
production drops in the shrimp industry.

• Some shrimp farmers in the Philippines claimed that

‘greenwater’ (GW) technology could prevent disease
outbreaks due to WSSV.

• The efficiency of the GW technology was evaluated by

comparing three ponds using the GW culture
technique with three ponds not using it.
• WSSV was detected only in one of the GW ponds and
not in the non‐GW ponds.
• In GW ponds, the observed counts of luminous
bacteria were lower and counts of Chlorophyceae were
higher.
• Chlorophyceae, i.e. algae, enhanced nutrient uptake in
effluent streams resulting in improved water quality
in Penaeus monodon Fabricius culture ponds. This
suggests that the use of the GW technique to culture P.
monodon improved water quality.
CASE STUDY
Brown Water
Management
 BIOFLOC
(brown water system)
• Bioflocs are heterogeneous macro-
aggregates of planktonic materials in
the water column, which constitute a
consortium of floc forming bacteria,
diatoms, filamentous microalgae,
micro-and macro-
invertebrates, protozoa, feacal matter
and uneaten feed.

• The bioflocs form the basis of the food

chain in aquatic ecosystems by
converting to SCP. Therefore bioflocs
are responsible for the initial nutrient
cycling process in aquatic ecosystems.
 BIOFLOC TECHNOLOGY (BFT)
• Biofloc technology (BFT) is a climate-smart technology
that works on the basis of mass production of in
situ microorganisms.
• The microorganisms are credited for
(i) maintaining good water quality
(ii) increasing culture feasibility by reducing feed
conversion ratio (FCR) and feed costs
(iii) biosecurity
(iv) sequestration of greenhouse gasses (GHG)

*These four biological functions of microorganisms in

BFT units are factors of high fish
production, profitability and environmental protection.
One visible strength of BFT
• is that the initial investment cost is less
than most conventional fish production
systems, because only sunlight, a carbon
source and sometimes aeration are
needed.
• In continental Asia, top shrimp-industry
players have shifted to BFT. “Without
biofloc technology, our company wouldn't
be able to achieve its ambitious growth
rates without compromising
environmental integrity and animal-
welfare principles. This system is a win-
win situation for all stakeholders.”

• In an efficient BFT system, the cost of fish

feed is reduced by 30% as each pellet is
basically eaten twice (i.e. as fresh pellet,
and, as SCP), thus leading to high
aquaculture productivity and profitability)
 Functionally &
economically attractive
• the BFT rely on heterotrophic process where
uneaten feeds, feces and excess nutrients are
converted into edible bioflocs. also called singe
cell proteins (SCP).
• The SCP are loosely bound by bacterial mucous
to form visible floating clumps, which are
nutritious food materials for cultured fish or
shrimps.
• The bioflocs not only contain essential nutrition
but has probiotic effect that ensures biosecurity
in the BFT systems.
• The bioflocs consume ammonia to make own
proteins, thus maintains good water quality in
the culture systems .
• The BFT requires minimal water exchange
in aquaculture systems to maintain the flocs and
allows high stocking densities and increased fish
productivity.
• Bioflocs are also efficient sinks of atmospheric
carbon thus facilitates adaptation and
mitigation of effects of GHG [34].
 Composition of bioflocs
• Bioflocs are aggregates (flocs) of algae,
bacteria, protozoans, and other kinds of particulate
organic matter such as feces and uneaten feed.

• Each floc is held together in a loose matrix of

mucus that is secreted by bacteria, bound by
filamentous microorganisms, or held by
electrostatic attraction.

• The biofloc community also includes animals that

are grazers of flocs, such as some zooplankton and
nematodes.

• Large bioflocs can be seen with the naked eye,

but most are microscopic. Flocs in a typical
greenwater biofloc system are rather large, around
50 to 200 microns, and will settle easily in calm
water.
nutritional value

• The nutritional quality of biofloc to cultured

animals is good but rather variable. The dry-
weight protein content of biofloc ranges from 25
to 50 percent, with most estimates between 30
and 45 percent.
• Fat content ranges from 0.5 to 15 percent, with
most estimates between 1 and 5 percent.
• Bioflocs are good sources of vitamins and
minerals, especially phosphorus.
• Bioflocs may also have probiotic effects.
• Dried bioflocs have been proposed as an
ingredient to replace fishmeal or soybean meal in
aquafeeds. 22
 Mixing and aeration Intensive turbulent mixing is an
essential requirement of biofloc systems

• Solids must be suspended in the water

column at all times or the system will not
function. Without mixing, bioflocs settle
out of suspension and may form piles
that rapidly consume nearby dissolved
oxygen.

• These anaerobic zones can lead to the

release of hydrogen sulfide, methane,
and ammonia that are highly toxic to
shrimp and fish.
• Solids can be removed by periodic
flushing or by pumping sludge from the
pond center.
• transition from a greenwater, algal system to a
brownwater, bacterial system.

• As daily feeding rate increases from 100 to 200 kg/

ha , the water will appear green with a dense algae
bloom. Algal uptake is the main mechanism for
ammonia control.

• At a daily feeding rate of 300 kg/ha, there is an

abrupt shift when the lack of light at very high algal
density hinders photosynthesis. Bacteria begin to
grow and bioflocs develop.

• This requires a five-fold increase in aerator power

frto match the oxygen demand. Most of this
increased energy demand is required to maintain
bioflocs in suspension. Despite these changes, the
water continues.
• When the feeding rate is between 400 and 600 kg/
ha per day, the water appears green-brown.

• Beyond 700 kg/ha per day, the water appears

brown with biofloc and there is essentially no
contribution by algae.
• Green Water Technology: Brown Water Technology:
1. Water Characteristics: Green water systems are characterized
by the presence of phytoplankton in the water. This plankton Water Characteristics: Brown water systems are characterized by
provides natural food for the cultured organisms (e.g., fish or higher levels of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the water. This
shrimp) and contributes to the overall health of the organic matter may come from sources like decomposing plant
ecosystem. material, animal waste, and uneaten feed.

2. Nutrient Cycling: Green water systems rely on the natural Nutrient Dynamics: Brown water systems often have higher nutrient
cycling of nutrients within the water. Phytoplankton utilize levels compared to green water systems. The dissolved organic matter
nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which can be sourced can contribute to nutrient availability in the water, potentially
from fish waste and organic matter, to grow and flourish. The influencing water quality and ecosystem dynamics.
presence of phytoplankton helps maintain water quality by
consuming excess nutrients. Microbial Activity: Brown water systems are typically rich in
3. Light Penetration: Light penetration is important in green microbial activity due to the breakdown of organic matter. Bacteria
water systems because it supports the growth of and other microorganisms play a crucial role in decomposing organic
phytoplankton. Adequate sunlight or artificial light is material and recycling nutrients.
necessary to promote phytoplankton growth.
Water Quality Challenges: Managing water quality in brown water
4. Organic Matter: Green water systems often have a higher systems can be more challenging compared to green water systems.
concentration of organic matter, which can contribute to the Higher nutrient levels and organic load can lead to increased risks of
natural productivity of the system. This organic matter serves oxygen depletion and water quality issues if not properly managed.
as food for phytoplankton and other microorganisms.
5. Management: Management of green water systems involves Feeding Practices: Feeding practices in brown water systems must
maintaining a balance of nutrients and controlling factors like be carefully monitored to avoid overfeeding and excessive
stocking density to prevent excessive nutrient buildup and accumulation of organic matter, which can negatively impact water
maintain water quality. quality and aquatic health.
THANK YOU