Biofloc technology based Aquafarming described by Scientist Dr MD Aklakur Sir (ICAR-CIFE) By NFDB - North-east training on Biofloc technology.

1. BIOFLOC TECHNOLOGY BASED
AQUACULTURE
NFDB-NORTH EAST TRAINING ON BIOFLOC TECHNOLOGY
BIOFLOC TECHNOLOGY BASED
AQUACULTURE
NFDB-NORTH EAST TRAINING ON BIOFLOC TECHNOLOGY
DR . MD AKLAKUR,
Scientist and Officer In -charge
DR . MD AKLAKUR,
Scientist and Officer In -charge

2. BIOFLOC OR BIOFLOP?
80 % or more people failed and left
Only 10-20 % is successful
Youtube dream and money making
machine
Technique : skill oriented
Technique is established
80 % or more people failed and left
Only 10-20 % is successful
Youtube dream and money making
machine
Technique : skill oriented
Technique is established
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

3. BIOFLOC OR BIOFLOP?
Need to be standardized and locally
adapted
Must be in three phase
Learn- standardized at your place –
expand
Learning about fish, aquaculture and
then biofloc
Urgent need of a regulatory platform or
frame work to stop unethical practices
Need to be standardized and locally
adapted
Must be in three phase
Learn- standardized at your place –
expand
Learning about fish, aquaculture and
then biofloc
Urgent need of a regulatory platform or
frame work to stop unethical practices
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

4. MAJOR OBSTACLES : BASED ON
ENTREPRENEURIAL RESPONSE AND EXPERIENCE
 Improper electricity and associated
infrastructure
 lack of technical knowledge and hand holding
 Burgeoning trainers and unethical practice of
input selling in name of support
 Inability to manage ammonia and nitrate
 Maximum cost towards electricity and diesel for
gen set elevates cost of production
 Improper electricity and associated
infrastructure
 lack of technical knowledge and hand holding
 Burgeoning trainers and unethical practice of
input selling in name of support
 Inability to manage ammonia and nitrate
 Maximum cost towards electricity and diesel for
gen set elevates cost of production
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

5. DO WE NEED OF BIOFLOC BASED SYSTEM ?
DO WE NEED OF BIOFLOC BASED SYSTEM ?
 Social constraints : pouching, flood, drought, soil
seepage, digging pond turns land unsuitable for
future use
 Land and financial constraints :
decreasing per capita land holding and net
income from agriculture (> 90 % have less
than one acre land holding
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

6. DO WE NEED BIOLFOC BASED SYSTEM ?
 Environmental risk : biggest risk example
flood
 Poor seed supply is major bottle neck for
aquaculture
 Real base for blue revolution: backyard
approach
 Feed and ecosystem: cost cum conservation
 Cargo cult approach from input to removal
 Environmental risk : biggest risk example
flood
 Poor seed supply is major bottle neck for
aquaculture
 Real base for blue revolution: backyard
approach
 Feed and ecosystem: cost cum conservation
 Cargo cult approach from input to removal
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

7. A TEN TON PRODUCTION….
A TEN TON PRODUCTION….
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708
10 ton
production
unit
Feed @ FCR of
1.5 = 15 ton
Moisture = 12%
Dry matter in
feed = 15-1.8
= 13.2
10 ton fish
with average
70 % moisture
Dry fish
weight = 3 ton
Each crop 10 ton dry matter is getting deposited in pond i.e. organic
load of 1kg per sq. meter. ?
Is it sustainable? What about microbial activity and nature of microbe?

8. Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

9. BASIC PRINCIPLE OF
BIOFLOC
BASIC PRINCIPLE OF
BIOFLOC
 Basically a waste treatment methods to eliminate waste
and maintain water quality
 Active Microbial suspension in water
 Vigorous aeration and mixing to prevent anoxic condition.
 Aggregate of microbes, feed and fecal particles together :
floc
 A dense microbial floc volume ( 20-50 mg/L operational)
 produced dense microbial biomass use as natural food to
fish or ingredients to feed
 Reuse the lost nutrients for production process
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

10. FACTORS TO REGULATE
FACTORS TO REGULATE
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708
Waste Food
Food
Microbes
or
probiotic
/ floc
Nitrogen
Carbon
C: N =15: 1
Oxygen
Oxygen
Aeration and
mixing
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4

11. Microbial
biomass
Feed and
fecal
waste
Fish
Protein
diet
Protein
diet
Total Ammonium Nitrogen
(TAN) / Total Nitrogen
Concentration (TNC)
Total Ammonium Nitrogen
(TAN) / Total Nitrogen
Concentration (TNC)
Probbiotic
and
detritus
Excretion
Natural
food
chain
BASIC PRINCIPLE OF BIOFLOC
TECHNOLOGY
BASIC PRINCIPLE OF BIOFLOC
TECHNOLOGY

12. Fish Feed
Feed
Carbon
source:
simple
sugar, starch
Carbon
source:
simple
sugar, starch
Total ammonia
nitrogen /
total nitrogen
concentration
Total ammonia
nitrogen /
total nitrogen
concentration Feed
waste
Biofloc/
microbial
protein
biomass
Biofloc/
microbial
protein
biomass
Biofloc a
natural feed
Probiotic
derived
biofloc
Probiotic
derived
biofloc
Molasses, unrefined
Jaggary, Maida tapioca,
starch powder etc.
Molasses, unrefined
Jaggary, Maida tapioca,
starch powder etc.
Dr. MD AKLAKUR 9004862708

13. ESSENTIAL PRACTICAL ASPECT
ESSENTIAL PRACTICAL ASPECT
 Moderate floc density (20-50 mg/L)
 C:N Ratio of water around 15:1
 Non air breathing fishes: 20 to 30 Kg/ Cub. M
 Non air breathing fishes: 50 to 60 Kg/ Cub. M
 Local adaptation of techniques very essential
 Potential to use and explore natural food production in the
system
 Daily water exchange of 0.5 to 1 % or weekly 5 %
 A developed system has oxygen demand of more than 5-6
ppm per hour.
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

14. WATER QUALITY : FLOC QUALITY
WATER QUALITY : FLOC QUALITY
 Temperature : 28 to 320C
 Dissolved oxygen (DO) : more than 5 PPM essential
(more than 6 ppm desired
 Alkalinity : more than 160 ppm
 pH : 7.5 to 8 best (7 to 8 optimum)
 Ammonia : <0.5 ppm
 Nitrite : < 0.5 ppm best
 Nitrate :< 150 ppm
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

15. WHAT DOES BIOFLOC WORK ?
WHAT DOES BIOFLOC WORK ?
Intensive culture with high stocking and feeding
We limit water exchange
Organic residues accumulate
We mix and aerate
4 Ideal conditions for bacteria
Bacteria control water quality
Fish eat bacteria
Feed is recycled
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

16. HOW DOES BIOFLOC WORK ?
HOW DOES BIOFLOC WORK ?
 Heterotrophic bacteria feed on organic matter.
 They use the Chemical energy in organic substrates.
 Need C:N Ratio = 15:1 for its best activity
 Organic load, carbon level and oxygen is ensured to let bacteria multiply
 number of bacteria in such tanks is 10 million up to 10 billion Bacteria /ml
1. Utilizes the organic load and nitrogen waste
2. Get utilized as food by fish
 feed C:N ratio = 10 to 7 :1
 Added with molasses to raise C:N ratio = 15:1
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

17. SUITABLE SPECIES
SUITABLE SPECIES
 shall accept floc as feed and get nutrition from it
 Shall tolerate high suspended solid concentration
 Tolerant to deviated water quality
 Shrimp, Tilapia Common Carp Pangassius, Mangur
Anabas and Singi
 Species specific protocol and technical
adaptation required for success
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

18. BASIC TYPE OF BIOFLOC SYSTEM
BASIC TYPE OF BIOFLOC SYSTEM
1. Green water system
2. Brown water system
At high level of the stocking, the nitrogen
accumulate and C:N ratio remains less than 4: 5 .
So the bacterial growth is limited and algal growth
take place . As we increase C:N ratio more than 12
:1 then bacterial growth take place very rapidly
and water turns to brown.
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

19. Nitrogen assimilation process in biofloc
system
(NH+
4, NO-
2, NO—
3)
Nitrogen assimilation process in biofloc
system
(NH+
4, NO-
2, NO—
3)
Heterotrophic
assimilation by
heterotrophic
bacteria
Chemotrophic
nitrifications
Photosynthesis
based
Assimilation
Increased by
raising carbon
nitrogen ratio
By nitrifying
bacteria
Algal uptake
Use carbon
source
for it.
By nitrifying bacteria used
as probiotic
Sun light/ light
essentially required
NH
4
+
NO-
2 NO—
3
NO—
3
More toxic
More toxic Least toxic
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

20. 20-25 gm.
carbon
20-25 gm.
carbon
Floc development
Floc development
Bacterial
density
Bacterial
density
1 gm.
Ammonia
/ Nitrogen
1 gm.
Ammonia
/ Nitrogen
Microbial
protein
Microbial
protein
Bacteria
Bacteria
Very fast
0.5-3 days
NH4
+
NO-
2 NO-
3
Presentation of carbon nitrogen assimilation by
bacteria in biofloc
Presentation of carbon nitrogen assimilation by
bacteria in biofloc
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

21. FEEDING MANAGEMENT IN BIOFLOC
SYSTEM
FEEDING MANAGEMENT IN BIOFLOC
SYSTEM
 25 to 50 % protein efficiency is raised
 Start ration with 50 % as recommended in pond culture
and set the ration gradually as it take in 15-20 minute or
maximum 30 min
 Start ration with 1.5 to 2 % for flock eating fishes
 And 2 to 3 % for non-floc eating fishes.
 Fix the ration and feed three to two time daily
 Give maximum feed which get finished in 30 minute by
fish and 2 hour maximum by shrimp.
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

22. FLOC QUALITY DETERMINES WATER QUALITY
FLOC QUALITY DETERMINES WATER QUALITY
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708
Water quality
Water quality
Floc
quality
Kind and
quantity
of
microbial
communit
y

23. FLOC QUALITY MANAGEMENT
FLOC QUALITY MANAGEMENT
 Daily color monitoring
 Preventing succession and FCO maintenance
 Sludge removal
 Weekly supplementation of nitrifying bacteria
 5 % weekly water exchange or at very high floc
density daily 1 % water exchange for sludge removal
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

24. ESSENTIAL ITEMS SHALL BE KEPT ALWAYS …
ESSENTIAL ITEMS SHALL BE KEPT ALWAYS …
(a) Carbon source :- molasses, Jaggary, Tapioca
powder, Maida etc.
(b) Probiotic especially the nitrifying bacteria
(c) Inoculum of the bacteria or FCO
(d) Lime
(e) Soda
(f) Alternative for continuous aeration
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

25. Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708
Construction
of biofloc
tanks and
commercial
units

26. Inlet
Outlet
18 to 20 feet 5 feet
1 to 2 degree
slope
Tank design
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

27. Sludge and sedimentation management
Sludge and sedimentation management
Water
outlet
Inlet
Settled
sludge
Collectio
n of
sludge
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

28. Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

29. INNOVATION IN BFT
INNOVATION IN BFT
 FCO
 Feed soaked with FCO
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

30. Managing 4 inputs in
biofloc system
Managing 4 inputs in
biofloc system
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

31. SEED STOCKING STRATEGY AND SPECIES
SELECTION
SEED STOCKING STRATEGY AND SPECIES
SELECTION
 It shall be based on
 Market demand
 Biological growth potential
 Species biology
 Culture duration
 System carrying capacity
 Seed quality shall be ensured : in bred seed bad
impact
 Polyculture shall be decided on species compatability
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

32. SEED ……………………
Species to be cultured
Stocking size
No per 1000 L
Purpose or culture operation
Species to be cultured
Stocking size
No per 1000 L
Purpose or culture operation
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

33. FEED AND FEEDING MANAGEMENT
FEED AND FEEDING MANAGEMENT
 Core basic for protein nutrition and ammonia
management
 Protein quality more important than protein level
 Best to find the feed
 Well accepted
 Easily digestible
 Nutrient shall be absorbable and bioavailable
 Shall lead growth
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

34. AMINO ACIDS
AMINO ACIDS
Essential AAS Non Essential AAS
Arginine Alanine
Histidine Asparagine
Leucine Aspartic acid
Iso leucine Cysteine
Lysine Glutamic acid
Methionine Glutamine
Phenyl alanine Glycine
Threonine Proline
Tryptophan Serine
Valine Tyrosine
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

35. MAKING A DESIGNER WALL WITH FOUR
DIFFERENT KIND OF BRICKS
MAKING A DESIGNER WALL WITH FOUR
DIFFERENT KIND OF BRICKS
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708
Designer wall with
32 bricks
Yellow = 19
White = 6
Red= 4
Blue =3
How many such walls are possible for 640
bricks supplied such as below
Yellow = 380 White = 150 Red= 90 Blue =20

36. Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708
Oxygen

37. Ammonia
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708
Total ammonia =
feeding rate per day x protein % x no of days x
0.092

38. Common concern in commercial
unit management
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708
 Use of the nutritional value of the biofloc
in system or as ingredients shall be
planned
 Oxygen demand through mixing and
aeration shall be monitored regularly on
biomass basis
 Feeding rate, sludge production and
biofloc transition shall be monitored daily
basis
 Nitrification rate nitrate surge shall be
managed with rational water exchange

39. CONT…
 Balancing the input C:N ratio with
biomass during culture for cost
effectiveness
 Start up initiation concern and
microbial succession
 Biofloc microbial community
 Regulating stocking density no and
size
 Nitrogen problem and solutions
 Balancing the input C:N ratio with
biomass during culture for cost
effectiveness
 Start up initiation concern and
microbial succession
 Biofloc microbial community
 Regulating stocking density no and
size
 Nitrogen problem and solutions
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

40. IT IS A TECHNOLOGY AND SURELY NEED
CAUTION AND CONCERN
IT IS A TECHNOLOGY AND SURELY NEED
CAUTION AND CONCERN
3 steps
1. Development and standardization of system
2. Raising production
3. Increasing profit
Record keeping is key to
commercial success
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

42. Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

43. Comparative evaluation of pangassius seed rearing in
pond and biofloc based culture :
• Almost 27 % better growth and 20 % better survival recorded in
Biofloc based seed rearing
Pangassius Ponds Biofloc unit (13 tanks)
Size 900 sq. m 10 sq. m
Initial weight 1 gm 1 gm
No 50000 no 1250 no
Stocking density / sq m 55 no 125
Average 55 gm 70 gm
Mortality 10000 Marginal
Size variation Least Least
DOC 78 DAY 78 DAY

44. Comparative evaluation of Monosex tilapia reared
under pond and biofloc unit
• Ealier stocking of all seed 4100 lines in 6 biofloc tanks and reared for
62 days ( till 160 line. At stocking density of 5000 per tanks ( 500 per
sq. metre). Then 160 line distributed to ponds and tanks as below
Tilapia Pond Biofloc ( 9 tanks )
Size 900 sq. m 10 sq m
Initial weight 6.25 6.25
Stocking no 12000 2000
Stocking density 13 200
Average weight at sampling 55 40
Mortality Marginal Marginal
Size variation Least High ( 15 to 55 gm )
DOC 33 days 33 Days
Ammonia
surge lead
under
feeding

45. Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708
At KANHAULI Mahua vaishali : seed
phasing : 1900 sq ft area

46. Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

47. COST ANALYSIS: APPROX. 2.6 TON BIOMASS :
COST ANALYSIS: APPROX. 2.6 TON BIOMASS :
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708
cost component amount % COST CONTR
GUD 6610 2.025967
DIESEL 39143 11.99734
ELECTRIC 480 0.14712
MEDICINE 2940 0.901111
PROBIOTICS 2900 0.888851
SALT AND SOLOMITE 1438 1438 0.440747
FEED 100800 30.89523
OTHER INPUT 9862 3.022706
INITIAL SEED COST 162091 49.68093
TOTAL 326264 100

48. Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

49. Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708
Base for blue revolution and food security in
country

50. NEED
NEED
 Totally new and virgin horizon to explore
 More technical training and skill imparting
 Complete hand holding to establish and
succeed : Govt. institutions
 Scientific thought put for
 local species adaptation
 Feed efficiency increasing and species specific feed
 Decreasing power cost and dependence
 Backyad unit adaptation and demonstration
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

51. THE PRESENT ENTREPRENEURIAL CONCERN
…. WITH BFT
Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708

52. Support needed
• Entrepreneur lead extension
model :
Lighting deep to deep
Awareness - training- hand holding - technical
demonstration- use in extension chain.
• BIOFLOC BASED TECHNOLOGY
•
MD AKLAKUR RRTC Motipur 9004862708

53. Dr.
MD
AKLAKUR
9004862708