RAS Fish Farming Equipment, Cost, Training, Courses

RAS Fish Farming:

Today, we are going to discuss RAS Fish Farming Equipment, Cost, Training, Courses and RAS dealers in India.

What is RAS?

Introduction: (RAS) Recirculation Aquaculture System is land-based fish farms, which allows all year-round control and delivery of fish. As per the availability you can use fresh water, brackish or marine water, a R.A.S work on the same principles. The RAS system will provide optimal temperature and optimal and stable production around the year, independent of seasonal variation, location, climate, and environment. These Recirculation systems will occupy very less area and consume very less water consumption compared to other forms of aquaculture. Filtering (Biofilter) system is necessary to purify consumption compared to or detoxify harmful waste products and uneaten feed. Recirculation systems will have filter systems that clean the water for recycling back through fish culture tanks. RAS technology steadily developed over the past 30 years and is widely used for Brood Stock, Hatcheries and Rearing of Fish and increasingly for other species of Fish. Recirculation Systems occupy very little area and require less water consumption compared to other forms of Aquaculture. A Filtering system is necessary to purify the water and remove suspended solids or any other detoxifying waste products. Recirculation system includes Biofiltration, Ozonation Oxygen Generation which in terms helps us to maintain good water quality and yield in higher production. As these Systems occupy a very small area which allows the grower to stock fish at high densities and produces high yields per unit area. Recirculation systems are becoming popular as they provide a predictable and constant environment for growing fish. Species of Fish that can be cultured with recirculation system include Barramundi, Murrel, Pangasius, and Tilapia, etc. The process of Recirculation the waste loaded pond water will reduce the potential pollutants which assure the availability of quality water for fish farming where the source of Fresh Water is limited. This system eliminates water quality problems. This system of farming highly improves survival and growth performances of fish due to the high degree of control over the water quality. Oxygen can be replenished through aeration and most of the carbon dioxide is dispatched hence reduces the risk of disease and parasite infections considerably.

RAS system.
RAS system (Pic Source: Wikipedia).

Benefits/Advantages of RAS Fish Farming:

RAS farming has many advantages over open pond culture. The most important benefit is it maximizes the production on a limited supply of water and land, nearly complete environmental control to maximize fish growth year-round, the flexibility to locate production facilities near to the market, RAS farming systems are complete and convenient for harvesting, and quick and effective disease resistant farming method. RAS systems are of various sizes ranging from large-scale production systems (over 1 million pounds per year) to intermediate-sized systems (500,000 pounds per year), to small systems (50,000 pounds per year).

These systems can be used as grow-out systems to produce food fish or as hatcheries to produce eggs and fingerling sports fish for stocking and ornamental fish for home aquariums.

  • Intensive Production:

RAS is similar to broiler house or swine barn concept, so prevalent and effectively used in modern poultry and pork production systems, to rear large numbers of fish in a relatively small space. In Indoor fish farming, the tanks may revolutionize fish production in the same way that confinement systems altered the pork and poultry farming industries. RAS is an excellent alternative to open pond cultivation with low densities (extensive culture) of fish are reared free in large ponds and are protected from diseases, parasites, predation, pollutants, stress, and seasonally suboptimal growing conditions.

  • Water and Land Conserved:

RAS conserve both water and land. RAS Farming systems will have a maximize production in a relatively compact area of land using a relatively small volume of water. For example, using a RAS we can produce over 100,000 pounds of fish in a 5,000 square foot area, whereas in the traditional open pond culture we need 20 acres of outdoor ponds. And in RAS, the water is reused, the water volume requirements in RAS are only about 20% of what conventional open pond culture demands. RAS is a promising solution to water use conflicts, water quality, and waste disposal.

  • Location Flexibility:

RAS is mainly useful in areas, where the land and water are highly expensive and in areas where water is not available. RAS method of farming requires relatively small amounts of land and water. This type of farming systems is suitable in northern areas where a climate is very cold, which is not good for fish growth in outdoor and this shows great impact in year-round production. RAS can be the best solution for farmers who are geographically disadvantaged due to short growing season (less than 200 days) or extremely dry (desert) conditions, a competitive, profitable, year-round fish production system.  RAS systems can be located close to large markets (urban areas) which reduce the hauling distances and transportation costs. We can use municipal water supplies (dichlorination is necessary) for RAS and you can discharge waste into sanitary sewer systems. Many species of food fish and sports fish are reared in RAS ponds, including catfish, trout, and striped bass can readily be grown in high densities when confined in tank systems.

Read: Pig Farming Loan, Subsidy, Schemes.

Suitable Species for RAS Farming  and Harvest Flexibility:

RAS is highly suitable for growing catfish, striped bass, tilapia, crawfish, blue crabs, oysters, mussels, and aquarium pets.

Indoor farming methods are flexed to (1) grow a wide range of fish species, (2) you can rear different species simultaneously in the same tank (polyculture) or different tanks (monoculture), (3) you can raise a variety of different sizes of one or several species based on your market demand and price. RAS provides rowers the opportunity to manipulate production to meet demand throughout the year and to harvest at the most profitable times during the year. In RAS you have an option to select species and the low harvest time RAS allows the grower to rapidly respond to a changing marketplace in order to maximize production and profitability. RAS will permit the grower to respond to market price and demand fluctuations by altering harvest rates and times and the species cultured.

Disadvantages of RAS when compared to Traditional Open pond systems:

  • RAS systems are relatively expensive systems to develop (building, tanks, plumbing, biofilters) and to operate (pumping, aerating, heating, and lighting).
  • These are also complex systems and need skilled technical assistance to management.
  • RAS systems need constant supervision and skilled technical support are required to manage and maintain the relatively complex circulation, aeration, and biofilter systems, and to conduct water quality analysis.
  • In RAS, there is a disadvantage of the mechanical or electrical power failure which may result in a fish loss, when rearing fish in huge densities in small water volumes.
  • While Operating RAS you need to maintain fail-safes like emergency alarms and backup power and pump systems.
  • In RAS business and biological risk factors are high. Continued vigilance and quick reaction times (15 minutes or less) are highly needed. RAS has a higher risk factor, need huge capital investment, and high operating costs.

Equipment required for RAS Farming:

Pumps

In Traditional RAS aquaculture, fish are reared in tanks. Evaporation during warm-weather months and splash-out causes may lead to the loss of water in the pond. You should be sure that the fish have adequate fresh water, you need to install the pumps to fill the small ponds or lakes used for fish farming with fresh water from a larger nearby freshwater source. At the end of a growing cycle, or at the end of the growing season, the farmer will drain the water from the pond. They also use the pumps for draining purposes. In some areas, we need to run the processes to remove impurities and fill the fresh. The pump is used to clean water back into the fish tank for use with a new hatch of fish.

The most commonly used types of pond pumps are centrifugal and turbine. Centrifugal pumps are placed horizontally along the outer perimeter of the fish pond or lake. Turbine pumps are placed vertically. Both styles are efficient at moving water.

Aeration Devices

Aeration devices are used for moving water in and out of the fish-growing water source, it is necessary to use aeration devices to provide the fish with an adequate level of oxygen. Aeration devices help to rear more fish in less space as well. Fish farmers use recirculation aquaculture systems, or RAS, using these systems, you can grow fish in tanks housed in buildings. The aeration devices help to recycle the water after removing impurities.

Seine Reels

During the harvesting the fish, seine reels helps to collect the fish from the water tanks. The seine sinks are placed at the bottom of the tank. to collect the fish into its net. And the reel pulls the fish inside the seine and transfers them to the sorting or grading equipment. During this gathering process, the aerators should be operated in full speed to provide oxygen for the fish.

Handling and Grading Equipment

While fish harvesting, you need to grade them by size. Belts help the fish to move from the seine to the holding tank. During the transfer, grading equipment will sort them based on their sizes.

RAS Fish Farming Equipment Price:

  • Pneumatic Fish Feeder: Smart pneumatic feeding system is a modern centralized feeding system, which is the best option that is economically & practical for many types of the aquaculture system. Pneumatic Feeder Price in India: Rs 3,500 to 4,500 per unit.
  • Rail-type Fish Feeder: Smart rail-type fish feeder is specially designed for the large-scale industrial recirculating aquaculture automatic feeding system. Rail-Type Fish Feeder cost Rs 5,000 to 6,000 per unit.
  • Fixed- Fish Feeder System: This Feeder system is suitable for the fry culture workshop, it can be auto controlled with accurate and even feeding. Fixed type fish feeder systems cost: 4,000 to 5,000.
  • SMART Belt Filter: it is a water particle separation equipment which is suitable for industrial recirculating aquaculture, it has adopted new patented integrated timing belt filter. A smart belt filter cost in India: up to 3 to 4 Lakhs
  • UV Sterilizer: this UV sterilizer, helps to boast characteristics of long shelf life, low tube loss, and uncapped connector length. A RAS UV sterilizer costs: 7,000 to 8,000 per unit.
  • Ecological Capture System: This Biological capture method will allow free discharge of particles in the pond and discharge dead fish from outlets by manual operation. This product is developed with an overflow tube which will divert excess water into recirculating pipes when the water level rises above the designated water level. This system helps to avoid the waste of water resources, but the harmful effect to fishes incurred by higher water level. Ecological Capture systems: 5,000 to 6,000 Rupee per unit.
  • Fry Anesthesia: FISHING Fry Anesthesia System it cost.
  • Bio-filters.
  • Solids collection systems (a rotating drum filter).
  • Foam fractionation unit It is as a protein skimmer or dissolved air floatation device.
  • Carbon dioxide degasser.
  • Nitrate filter.
  • Sterilization points (usually UV sterilization).
  • Tank drainage system: this system separates wastes from main outflows.
  • Temperature control (heat pump or evaporative cooling).
  • Heat exchange of effluent waters.
  • Oxygen injection system.
  • A pH control and alkalinity dosing system.

Read: RAS Farming Project Report.

Price of RAS Fish Farming Equipment in India:

  • A set of RAS equipment costs up to Rs 30,000 to 50,000 in India.
  • A 1000-liter RAS system cost up to 3 to 4 Lakhs in India.

RAS Training Centers and Training Programs:

  • Short RAS course: A new course designed to improve water quality awareness for staff involved in recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs) has been launched by the NAFC Marine Centre. The RAS Water Quality Awareness course is the latest addition to NAFC’s portfolio of specialist aquaculture training courses and introduces the fundamentals of monitoring and maintaining water quality and fish health in recirculating aquaculture systems.
  • Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture offer a course of RAS Re-Circulation in Aquaculture Systems.
  • CIFA, Bhuvneshwar offer a RAS course.

RAS Systems Dealers in India: 

  • XYLEM.
  • RS Polymers.
  • BioFishency.
  • NIRI-RAS Systems.
  • The Indian Aqua.

And there even many more companies that provide a complete set of RAS system.

The conclusion of the RAS Fish System

A proper filtration process and expects to re-use the 90% of the used water through the filtration process. As it will help to culture Pangasius and Tilapia as well other varieties of Catfish too. A recirculation fish farming system comprises of several major components (24*7 electricity, water facility Bulk feed storage, Emergency Generator, and Three Phase Electricity, Pumphouse, Building, and Recirculation components) that are necessary for the management of the whole RAS system which needs to have both site and system components. The implementation of ecological engineering principles will improve the production of high-value fish crops while meeting stringent nutrient/toxicant discharge regulations. Recirculatory systems are indispensable for sustainable fish culture and as a principle that forces to develop the ecological engineering design. This system creates greater efficiency and productivity of ponds. The usage of ecological engineering principles to water pollution control in fish culture ecosystems can reduce treatment costs. Fish culture systems are generated to have large volumes and system backing to have less polluted water. Since nutrient mass loading is the critical factor which always needs to be taken as the most important to look after, treatment of the tank water should be in regular practice which will allow us to achieve better results in tank culture.

Read Tuna Fish Farming.

19 COMMENTS

  1. I would like to know the process of RAS.. I have pond if possiblilty to continue with in my pond.

    Let me know the details. I will attend the training too.

  2. R/sir ,
    i have 5000 sq.feet built up shed which height 16 feet also .24*7 electricity & water . so please provide me
    the project report of RAS fish farming and complete plant machine supplier details .

  3. Helo Sir,

    I have been reading regarding this RAS system and even tried for bank loans as well.

    I am interested in attending some training on the same if you are offering.

  4. I am from Kolkata and taken RAS training.now I am looking for loan and I want to know the process in Kolkata

  5. I want to establish RAS system for murrel culture in 400sq.yards. I want eqippment , construction at lowest competetive price

  6. We are planning for a RAS fish farming near Udupi, about 10 kms from west coast. Requested for your advice regarding the location and furnish the details of total investment and returns for 100 Ton plant.

  7. hi my name is anil, i am from karimnagar.
    i need ras information and how much of cost to launch fish forming in 1/2 aecar.

  8. Please let me know the total cost for 4 tanks , other equipements like oxygen, Food and fish seed.

    i wanted to start business in Karnataka -Karwar

  9. Hi
    Name is Bello Muhammad and just like Suresh I’m also Interested in starting a RAS Tilapia and Catfish aquaculture. Pls, I will like to have a complete list and detail of equipments, cost, contractor etc.

  10. Dear Sir,

    I have a land of 800 sq.yards. Please let me know if this system is sufficient in this land. If yes, please let me know how much capacity of farm can be set-up and what would be the capital cost. The place is in Nalgonda district, Telangana state. Please let me know what are the necessary permission i should avail from the government to set-up this facility.

    Thank you in advance…

    Regards,
    Vijay Mohan R

  11. hello

    This is Martin . we are the manufacturer of Aquarium Accessories in China. We are interested in your business . Can we talk further for cooperation?

    The following are what we provide:

    air pump;

    water pump;

    filter material;

    air stone;

    fish feeder;

    etc

    reply me as soon as possible and I will send you the catalog of all our products. thanks

    Best regards

    Martin Lin

    2021.1.21

  12. I want to know more about RAS, what level of training is required to start the business.
    Where and when the trainings are provided – what is the upcoming scheduled??

  13. hi sir,
    i am geet kiran i want to start this RAS fish farming, could you guide me the procedure for the setup and the cost of setup.

    regards

  14. Hi Team, may j know to whom we can reach to know and start this business… RAS is very much impressive but trying to get startup information.. Share any contact numbers, training details like whom to reach.

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