Performance evaluation of four different methods for circulating water in commercial-scale, split-pond aquaculture systems

• Water flow rates increased with increasing rotational speeds for all water circulators tested.
• Power input varied directly with water flow rate for all water circulators tested.
• Efficiency decreased with increased rotational speed and water flow rate for all water circulators tested.
• Initial investment cost and operational cost varied greatly for each water circulator and complete system tested.
• A slow-rotating paddlewheel water circulator system was the least expensive to operate but the most expensive to install.

Split-pond aquaculture systems are being implemented by United States (US) catfish farmers as a way to improve production performance. The split-pond consists of a fish-culture basin that is connected to a waste-treatment lagoon by two water conveyance structures. Water is circulated between the two basins with high-volume pumps (water circulators) and many different units are being used on commercial farms. In this study circulator performance was evaluated with four different circulating systems. Rotational speeds ranged from 0.5 to 3.5 rpm for a twin, slow rotating paddlewheel; 12.5 to 56.5 rpm for a paddlewheel aerator; 60 to 240 rpm for a high-speed screw pump; and 150 to 600 rpm for an axial-flow pump. Water flow rates ranged from 8.6 to 77.6 m3/min and increased with increasing rotational speed. Power input varied directly with flow rate and ranged from 0.24 to 13.43 kW for all four circulators. Water discharge per unit power input (i.e., efficiency) ranged from 3.5 to 70.9 m3 min−1 kW−1 for the circulators tested. In general, efficiency decreased as water flow rate increased. Initial investment cost for each circulator and complete circulating system ranged from US $5850 to $22,900, and $15,335 to $78,660, respectively. The least expensive circulator to operate was the twin, slow-rotating paddlewheel, followed by the paddlewheel aerator, high-speed screw pump, and axial-flow pump. Our results show that four different circulating systems can be effectively installed and used to circulate water in split-ponds. However, water flow rate, rotational speed, required power input, efficiency, initial investment cost, and operational expense varied greatly among the systems tested. Long term studies are underway to better define the relationship between water flow rate and fish production in split-ponds. That information will help identify the water circulating system most appropriate for split-pond aquaculture.