Steps & Stages of Biofloc Vaname Shrimp Cultivation

Generally, the problem with shrimp farmers is the high cost of purchasing shrimp feed which has an impact on swelling operational costs for shrimp farming. To answer this problem, shrimp farmers can apply the vannamei shrimp cultivation method with biofloc.

It's no secret that the cost of providing shrimp feed can reach 60 to 70 percent of the total required operational costs for shrimp farming. 

This number is certainly very large. Therefore, many shrimp farmers innovate through the biofloc system on vannamei shrimp. 

However, you need to apply the correct and consistent cultivation management principles in order to produce the best vannamei shrimp with minimal feed waste.

What Is a Shrimp Biofloc System?

Biofloc vaname shrimp cultivation is a vannamei shrimp cultivation method that applies a nitrification system in draining and replacing pond water so as to produce more stable production with sustainable value.

The biofloc system relies on microorganisms as a source of productivity in preventing various types of diseases in shrimp. 

These microorganisms become additional vannamei shrimp feed. Therefore this method is not suitable for increasing the productivity of shrimp farmers.

Instead of using a conventional shrimp farming method, operational costs can swell with quite a long cultivation time but still produce vannamei shrimp that are less than optimal. It's better if you start switching to this biofloc system.

If you are cultivating vannamei shrimp using biofloc, there is no need to change the water in the cultivation pond. 

Biofloc applies a nitrification system in which this method can reduce FCR and minimize the spread of disease from the shrimp itself. That way, the microorganisms that grow in the pond turn into good bacteria rather than algae.

Later, these bacteria form flocs and devour nitrogen from feces and leftover feed 100 times better than the performance of algae. What's more, these microorganisms can work every day unaffected by weather changes.

In Indonesia, the vannamei shrimp farming method using the biofloc system has been used in recent years and is proven to be able to maintain water quality and shrimp feed efficiency of up to 10 to 20 percent. 

That way, vannamei shrimp can grow rapidly beyond the set target.

In fact, from 2010 to 2014 alone, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries increased the shrimp production target, which was originally IDR 400 thousand tons to IDR 699 thousand tons, one of which was the production of vannamei shrimp which also increased. 

It is noted that Indonesia is the third largest shrimp exporting country in the global market after Thailand and India.

Benefits of the Biofloc System for Vaname Shrimp Cultivation

The most visible benefit of using the biofloc system in vaname shrimp cultivation is that this cultivation method is very environmentally friendly. 

Usually, in conventional cultivation methods, the waste that is discharged into the surrounding environment contains ammonia and nitrogen resulting from the breakdown of protein and amino acids as well as feed residue and shrimp feces. 

Whereas in the biofloc method, the nitrogenous waste can be converted into shrimp feed which is rich in good nutrition for the shrimp.

In line with that, shrimp farmers can reduce the cost of shrimp feed because the feed can be formed from the biofloc process.

Another advantage of vannamei shrimp farming with the biofloc system is that it increases the growth rate of shrimp, the shrimp yields become tastier and tastier because the shrimp feed uses microorganisms.

Vaname Shrimp Cultivation Method with the Biofloc System

The following is a method for cultivating vannamei shrimp that applies the biofloc system to produce savory and delicious vannamei shrimp.

1. Preparing a Vaname Shrimp Cultivation Pond or Pond

The standards for vannamei shrimp ponds or ponds are as follows:

• The size of the tentative pond depends on the number of shrimp to be cultivated.
• Make sure that the pond is not leaking and is able to accommodate water and high water flows. You can line the pond with HDPE plastic or cement.
• Consider the depth of the pond to be able to accommodate shrimp, the minimum pond depth is 1.2 meters. In certain cases, the depth of the shrimp ponds may reach two to three meters.
• Pay attention to the aeration system.
• Also include a waterwheel to support performance in order to produce good water quality, remain stable, and ensure that the oxygen needs for shrimp have been met.

After the shrimp pond is finished, you can fill the pond with water up to a height of 80 to 100 centimeters. 

Next, add the probiotics to the water before adding the shrimp. This probiotic bacteria is an important element in the biofloc system.

There are several types of probiotic bacteria to choose from. Usually shrimp farmers use the bacillus subtilis bacteria which is able to decompose nitrogen well and is easy to find in the market at an affordable price. 

In addition, another type of bacteria, namely Bacillus cereu, has the advantage of being able to form bacterial flocs and control the growth of green algae.

These two bacteria are not enough, you need to prepare isolate denitrifying bacteria such as bacillus licheniformis, bacillus polymyxa bacteria, lactobacillus bacteria, nitrocomonas bacteria, and nitribacter.

2. Spreading Vaname Shrimp Seeds

The next method of cultivating vannamei shrimp using the biofloc system is to spread the vannamei shrimp seeds that you have chosen. 

Tips for producing the best quality vannamei shrimp, you should choose seeds that are the same size. The aim is to avoid cannibalism or differences in the size of the shrimp.

3. Provide Vaname Shrimp Feed

Before the bacterial floc is formed, ideally shrimp farmers can feed the shrimp twice a day, namely in the morning and in the afternoon. The type of feed also depends on the operational costs that you have prepared.

After the bacterial floc is formed, you can reduce the feeding schedule because the floc itself can become natural shrimp feed. That way, you can reduce operational costs, especially the cost of shrimp feed.

4. Supplying Dissolved Oxygen in Vaname Shrimp Cultivation Ponds

Dissolved oxygen or dissolved oxygen It should be noted especially at night so that the shrimp do not lack oxygen in the water. You can use a waterwheel, blowers, or aerator as a means of supplying additional oxygen.

Tips for Smoothly Doing Shrimp Cultivation