Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, shrimp, oysters, and algae. It requires cultivating freshwater or saltwater populations under controlled conditions. For example, fish farming involves raising fish commercially in tanks or enclosures, usually for food.
It is not just the chemical quality of water, but also the organisms and particles in the water that is important. All kinds of aquatic life forms, which can carry harmful viruses, parasites or marine life, also compete for food and nutrients.
UV light is an effective method for killing pathogens that can endanger fish or shellfish. These pathogens can be introduced into the population several ways:
- in the water
- fish to fish
- by vectors and fomites
- in the food
There are many areas within an aquaculture facility and recirculating system that can act as reservoirs for pathogens. The most important reservoirs are the fish or shellfish themselves. The animals can act as asymptomatic carriers of disease. In other words, they may be immune to a specific pathogen but still be able to shed the organism into the water or transfer it to other fish by contact.
Introduction of water used to ship animals can be a key source of pathogens. Shipping water often contains high numbers of bacteria and may also contain parasites or other pathogens. These organisms are easily transferred from tank to tank in the recirculating water, or by aerosolization (in mist or spray) of water from one tank or system to another.
Intake or recirculating water may thus spread pathogens and also be a potential reservoir for them.
UV disinfection has proven to help to greatly reduce the spread of pathogens, such as IPNV, IHNV, OMV, CSV, CCV, Aeromonas salmonicida, Saprolegnia sp., Myxosoma celebratis, Trochodina sp.
UV systems can help to reduce overall pathogen numbers in a system. Only a well designed system with known UV dose levels will be effective. This requires highly specialize expertise.
bestUV specially produces UV reactors for corrosive waters and environment.
Contact the ‘experts in ultraviolet light’ to fully optimise your new or existing water treatment system with bestUV technology.