20/04/2018: Feeding systems for frys and fingerlings

by Fish Farm Feeder, Spain

Fish Farm Feeder (FFF), is a Spanish Company that specialises in manufacturing Aquaculture Feeding Systems, and supplying automatic feeders to the global market.

With headquarters based in the main aquaculture production region of Spain and an established international distributor network, FFF knows first-hand the threats and challenges aquaculture farmers face today, mainly related to feed externalities.
 

Hatchery Central Feeder
FFF developed the first central feeder for hatcheries, a solution which aims to respond to the aquaculture sector’s needs by improving hatcheries’ success, through implementing automatic feeders with micro diets between 150- 500 μm of grain size. Hatchery feeders manage, monitor and control the feeding process based on different parameters (dissolved oxygen, temperature, etc.) and operate with high precision instead of the current artisanal and manual feeding process used for fingerlings. The hatchery feeder is supported by fully programmable software with learning ability from species-specific feeding regimens generating a continuous improvement of feeding protocols.

The system is provided with the ability to make decisions based on both the interpretation of insitu rearing parameters and accumulated experience. The hatchery feeder helps reduce direct feed costs, while diversifying the farmed species due to their low profitability associated with their early feeding stages. Objectives Hatchery feeder covers the following

Objectives
1. To optimise fingerling stocks viability by reducing direct feed purchases;
2. To decrease a fish hatcheries’ production costs through automation reducing mortality and deformity rates;
3. To diversify fish farmed species due to precise parameter control and protocol optimisation for each individual species.

Operational workflow
FFF’s hatchery feeders ensure specific Pathogenic Free Standards (SPF) and have the capability to monitor and manage feeds between 150-500 μm of grain size as follows:

1. Feed storage. This is carried out in four silos/hoppers for different feed sizes (from 150 to 500 μm) and types;
2. Feed composition and frequency is calculated by the software based on the datalogged parameters (water temperature, dissolved oxygen and hopper capacity);
3. Feed dosage mixing and provision. Feed proper dosage based in software decision is prepared in the intermediate silo until matrix outlet assignation;
4. Matrix delivery positioning. This is the one of the most critical technical developments of Fish Farm Feeder’s technology. The system consists of a mobile distributor along a matrix of outlets, where each one corresponds to a specific rearing tank;
5. Blower transportation from the matrix through the 20 mm hose system fabricated in polyethylene to maintain pressures between two and four bar.

Read the full article, HERE.

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