THE EFFECT OF AERATION ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF MICROALGAE CONCENTRATE
Abstract: Microalgae
concentrates (paste) can be used as an alternative feed to replace live
microalgae for aquaculture due to its nutritional value and convenience.
However, the clumping of cells and negative buoyancy of algae concentrate can
affect bivalve culture as bivalves only capture particles suspended in the
water and ingest a certain size range of particles. This study investigated the
effects of aeration on the distribution of algae particles in a 500 L rearing
tank. The results indicated that the number of algae paste particles was higher
in the aerated tanks compared to the non-aerated tanks over 24 hours. Time
lapsed had a significant effect on the number of particles after the addition
of algae concentrate into the tanks. The number of particles in the aerated and
non-aerated tank was relatively stable from 1 to 10 hours and then declined
after 24 hours. Furthermore, tank depth had no significant effect on the number
of particles distributed as the number of particles did not differ
significantly at three different depths within the culture tanks.
Keywords: microalgae
concentrate; depth; time; particle
Author: Ludi Parwadani Aji
Journal Code: jpperikanangg110016
