Biofloc is one of the most innovative techniques in aquaculture which results in better production of fishes, invertebrates in manually controlled tanks. Since, it is a comparatively new technique of fish farming, clouds of confusion form in everyone's minds. Fish farmers are being confused by YouTubers and "fake Biofloc trainers" and misguided into believing totally made-up information. That is why we chose to address each and every parameters and write about them in separate posts. That brings us to another very important, but totally ignored parameter, i.e. water temperature.
Water temperature
Since we are based in West Bengal, India, which is moderately warm and humid for almost 8 months, we asked our trainer whether the warm atmospheric temperature would cause problems for us. He very casually told us that this biofloc technology works better in warmer regions, and we can attest that this is a wrong information. Temperature plays a very crucial role in a biofloc systems.
A biofloc system works perfectly when all the parameters like pH, TDS, temperature, DO, dissolved Ammonia work hand-in-hand in total harmony. A slight change can wreck havoc if left unnoticed. From our experience, with respect to the environmental conditions in our region, the optimum temperature is 25℃-28℃, although we haven't faced any problems till 30℃, but it not advisable.
Optimum temperature: 25℃ - 28℃
Effects of temperature in biofloc tank
We will discuss some ill-effects of rise and fall of water temperature from the optimum range and how it affects the livestock.- If the temperature increases during summer above the optimum mark, the DO (dissolved oxygen) level fall drastically, and the carbon dioxide levels increase. If you're cultivating fishes that respire using the dissolved oxygen, they'll come to the surface of the water and start gasping for air. If the DO level are not increased promptly, fishes will start dying and you'll end up with a huge number of dead fishes on your end.
Carp babies gasping for air because of low levels of dissolved oxygen
- If the temperature increases above the mark, then deflocculation of flocculants happen, which means the floc doesn't remain in suspended stage in the water, and they fall down at the form and form sludge, causing a sudden spike in Ammonia level causing death of fishes.
- Deflocculation of floc also happens when the temperature drops too low at around 8℃ or lower. The outcome is the same as the previous point, Ammonia level increase, causing massive death of the livestock.
- Increase and decrease of temperature causes sudden increase in the nitrite levels in the fish tank too, if the TDS of the water is not up to the desired mark, fishes will perish.
Dead catfishes floating due to nitrite poisoning - Fishes are cold-blooded creatures, i.e. they regulate their body temperature with respect to the temperature in the water they're swimming. Hence, fishes feel stress when the temperature changes, which will be reflected in their behaviour. If the temperature is lower than 20℃, they will get lethargic, stop accepting food and they will die, eventually.
TIP
No matter wherever you're from, try hard to maintain the temperature of your fish tanks, fishes will be stress free and you will be blessed with a great harvest every single time.
Optimum temperature: 25℃ - 28℃
Recommended
Please note: This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. It would be highly appreciated if you please consider buying from the links provided. It won't cost you anything extra, but it may help us with a little bit of commission from Amazon.
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| Venus Aqua Aqua One Electronic Thermometer for Fish Tank |
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| Piper Digital Water Thermometer for Fish Tank |
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| R-tek Digital Thermometer with LCD with Wired Probe |
Please note: This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. It would be highly appreciated if you please consider buying from the links provided. It won't cost you anything extra, but it may help us with a little bit of commission from Amazon.
