Journal of Aquaculture Research & Development

Abstract

Performance of Zero Water Discharge (ZWD) System with Nitrifying Bacteria and Microalgae Chaetoceros calcitrans Components in Super Intensive White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) Culture

Suantika G, Lumbantoruan G, Muhammad H, Azizah FFN and Aditiawati P

This research was aimed to study the performance of Zero Water Discharge (ZWD) by using nitrifying bacteria and microalgae Chaetoceros calcitrans in super intensive white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) culture. The study consists of three consecutive steps: (1) activating and cultivating of nitrifying bacteria and microalgae C. calcitrans, (2) conditioning of zero water discharge system, and (3) using ZWD during shrimp culture along with control (a conventional system in which the water was renewed every four weeks and without the addition of nitrifying bacteria and C. calcitrans). Based on water quality parameters, low and stable NH4 + (0.07–0.69 mg/L), NO2 - (0–3.2 mg/L), NO3 - (1.04–4.29 mg/L) were obtained in both systems during culture period. Higher feed amount of 1178.28 g in ZWD system compared to the conventional one contributed to a same level of NH4+ and NO2 - level during 90 days culture period. At the end of the period, higher culture performance in terms of total weight (923.38 ± 42.15 g), mean body weight (8.24 ± 0.84 g), survival rate (90.82 ± 2.5%), specific growth rate (7.7 ± 0.11%) and feed conversion ratio (1.27 ± 0.29) was obtained in ZWD, while in control the figures were significantly different: total weight (160.48 ± 6.62 g), mean body weight (5.45 ± 0.28 g), survival rate (27.22 ± 2.09%), specific growth rate (7.24 ± 0.05%), and feed conversion ratio (4.10 ± 0.66). Based on this research, Zero Water Discharge system was able to maintain a stable and an acceptable water quality for shrimp culture. Furthermore, it resulted in better shrimp growth, higher survival rate, as well as lower FCR in high shrimp density.