Water quality in super-intensive farming
The quality of the water environment is one of the decisive factors for the success of a crop. This is especially true now that whiteleg shrimp are farmed in high-density, super-intensive systems, where managing disease risk, controlling water quality and increasing the carrying capacity of the pond environment have all become more difficult.
The early stage: stable water and beneficial algae
Across all development stages, and in the shrimp's early stage in particular, when the water environment is kept stable at suitable levels, the beneficial algae in the pond are not only a natural food source for the shrimp during the nursery-pen stage. They also act as a shield that limits direct sunlight reaching the pond bottom, holding back the growth of bottom algae and thermal stratification in the pond. When shrimp are free from stress, their resistance and immune system work well, forming a solid defensive barrier against pathogens such as viruses and bacteria.
Two possible approaches
This can be done in 2 ways:
- Split and transfer the shrimp continuously after each 20–30-day culture period, to reduce costs and reduce the pathogen load.
- If we do not have many ponds, the water supply is limited, and to reduce stress on the shrimp: siphon thoroughly after every feeding and use SOILMAX to improve water quality and the pond bottom.
Focus by stage
- Nursery-pen stage: maintain a high level of specific bacteria to reduce the impact of TPD.
- After day 25: maintain water quality and reduce the formation of NH3 and NO2, thereby INCREASING THE CARRYING CAPACITY OF THE POND WATER during the large-shrimp stage.
SOILMAX for a stable water environment
SOILMAX combines beneficial microbial strains, Bacillus spp. and Pediococcus acidilactici, which adapt well to pond conditions and help make the water environment stable.
- Helps control toxic algae, stabilise pH and maintain a tea-coloured water throughout the crop.
- Helps break down organic debris and leftover feed and clean the pond bottom.
- Helps control toxic gases and overcome scattered shrimp deaths on the pond bottom.
- Helps increase the beneficial microbial population in the pond and reduce pressure from pathogenic Vibrio.
English text adapted from Than Vuong's original Vietnamese infographic.
