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The work aimed at determining the effects of applying different blends between liquid molasses and agricultural limestone on water quality and growth performance of Nile tilapia juveniles, Oreochromis niloticus. The study employed 24 indoor tanks of 100 L and 24 outdoor tanks of 250 L. Four control groups were set up (no product applied, only molasses, only limestone, molasses-limestone blend with 48% limestone but no fish) and two experimental groups (molasses-limestone blends with 32% and 48% molasses), with four replicates each. Over 11 weeks, the water quality was monitored systematically. The 24-h cycle monitoring of temperature, pH, specific conductance, dissolved O2 and total alkalinity were carried out at the 8th week. The blends between molasses and limestone accelerated the dissolution rate of the agricultural limestone in water. The blend containing 48% molasses led to greater increases in water alkalinity and pH in relation to tanks with only limestone applications. However, the molasses-limestone blend applications impaired the Nile tilapia growth performance, especially in the outdoor tanks. While the fish yield was 25.1 g m-3 day-1 in the molasses outdoor tanks, it was equal to 22.8 g m-3 day-1 in the molasses (32%)-limestone units (P

The present work aimed at assessing the possibility of compensating the notorious deficiencies of bioflocs in lipids by supplementing the tilapia commercial diet with soybean oil. In the positive control, there was no feeding restriction nor dietary supplementation with soybean oil. In the experimental treatments, the commercial diet was restricted by 25% over the positive control level. In the negative control tanks, there was feeding restriction and the artificial diet had no oil supplementation. In the experimental tanks, soybean oil was mixed daily with the commercial diet at the levels of 0.6%, 1.2 and 2.4%. Additionally, there were fed-restricted tanks that received a daily supplementation of 1.2% soybean oil mixed with dry molasses, and not with the commercial diet. In general, only the restriction of the commercial diet affected the water quality. The supplementation of the artificial diet with soybean oil up to 2.4% has not improved the proximate composition of bioflocs, nor the fish growth performance. It was concluded that the strategy of supplementing the Nile tilapia juveniles’ commercial diet with increasing levels of soybean meal, in BFT tanks submitted to 25%-feeding restriction, was not capable of avoiding the fish growth performance deterioration.

The current study aimed at fostering bacterial growth in BFT aquaculture tanks by early Nile tilapia stocking. Control tanks had no tilapia but received daily applications of dry molasses (NT+) or had tilapia but no C:N ratio adjustment (T-). Experimental tanks had tilapia and received daily application of molasses to adjust the C:N ratio of water to 15:1 (T+). The development of bioflocs in NT+ was insignificant as demonstrated by low levels of settleable solids (SS) and total suspended solids (TSS). Total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) was significantly higher in NT+ than in T+. In the C:N-ratio adjusted tanks, the presence of fish shortened the control of TAN in several days. As nitrite declined in T+, it increased in NT+. The final concentrations of TSS in T+, T- and NT+ were 236 ± 29 mg L-1, 100 ± 32 mg L-1, and 40 ± 22 mg L-1, respectively (p < 0.05). It can be concluded that stable nitrifying and heterotrophic bacterial communities could be attained in BFT aquaculture tanks, before the end of the 4th week of culture, if the bacterial growth is fostered by early Nile tilapia stocking.

O presente estudo teve por objetivo determinar os efeitos da suplementação da ração balanceada de juvenis de tilápia do Nilo (peso médio inicial = 2,76 ± 0,06 g), submetidos à restrição na oferta de alimento artificial em tanques BFT de cultivo (18 juvenis/tanque 100 L), com DL-metionina, sobre a qualidade da água, composição dos bioflocos e desempenho zootécnico. Os tratamentos experimentais foram constituídos por dois grupos controle: 1 – sem restrição alimentar, sem suplementação com metionina; 2 – com restrição alimentar de 25%, sem suplementação com metionina. Os quatro tratamentos experimentais foram os seguintes: 1 – restrição alimentar de 25%, suplementação da ração com 0,5% de DL-metionina misturada à ração; 2 – restrição alimentar de 25%, suplementação da ração com 1,0% de DL-metionina misturada à ração; 3 – restrição alimentar de 25%, suplementação da ração com 2,0% de DL-metionina misturada à ração; 4 – restrição alimentar de 25%, suplementação do melaço em 1,0% de DL-metionina. A suplementação da ração balanceada com DL-metionina não afetou a qualidade da água de cultivo de juvenis de tilápia do Nilo, em tanques BFT, nem a composição centesimal do bioflocos. Após 8 semanas, o ganho em peso corporal dos peixes mantidos nos tanques com restrição alimentar e suplementação da ração com 1% ou 2% de DL-metionina não diferiu (P>0,05) do observado nos tanques sem restrição alimentar. Concluiu-se que é possível restringir as taxas de arraçoamento de juvenis de tilápia do Nilo, mantidos em tanques BFT de cultivo, em 25%, sem prejuízo zootécnico, desde que se faça a suplementação da dieta com, pelo menos, 1% de DL-metionina. Palavras-chave: Bioflocos. Aminoácido. Aquicultura. Qualidade de água.

O presente trabalho teve os seguintes objetivos: 1 – caracterizar a composição físico-química e as relações Na+: K+ e Ca+2: Mg+2 da água de poços profundos utilizados no abastecimento de viveiros de criação de camarão marinho, Litopenaeus vannamei, pertencentes a fazendas do município interiorano de Jaguaruana, Ceará, Brasil; 2 – caracterizar a composição físico-químico do solo das fazendas de camarão de Jaguaruana. Amostras de água e solo foram coletadas em quatro fazendas, três localizadas em Jaguaruana (Pasta Branca, Sargento e Poró) e uma em Aracati, que serviu como controle experimental. As amostras de água foram analisadas para pH, condutividade elétrica, salinidade, clorinidade, alcalinidade total, dureza total e cálcica, potássio e sódio. As amostras de solo foram analisadas quanto ao pH, condutividade elétrica, salinidade, acidez potencial, fósforo, carbono orgânico, nitrogênio total, sódio e potássio. As águas das fazendas de Aracati, Pasta Branca/Sargento e Poró foram classificadas como eurihalina, oligohalinas e mesohalinas, respectivamente. Os resultados de pH da água (6,8 ± 0,2) indicaram a necessidade de calagem em todas as fazendas investigadas. A água de todos os poços demandava a fertilização potássica, tanto para suprir suas concentrações insuficientes, como para ajustar a relação Na: K. Concluiu-se que, no manejo produtivo de fazendas de carcinicultura interior, é importante monitorar não apenas as relações Na: K e Ca: Mg da água, mas também as concentrações absolutas de cada íon. Palavras-chave: Águas subterrâneas, cálcio, carcinicultura interior, magnésio, potássio, sódio.

The present study aimed at determining the effects of the interaction between afternoon aeration and stocking density of Nile tilapia on variables of water and soil quality, growth performance and effluent quality. The experiment was a 3 x 2 factorial randomized block design, with three stocking densities (8, 12 and 16 fish per tank or 43.5, 65.3, and 87.0 g m-3) under two mechanical aeration regimes, absence (control; three replicates) and afternoon aeration (four replicates). The afternoon aeration was carried out from 12.00 a.m. up to 18.00 p.m. from the 3rd week until the end of the experiment. Except for the 16-fish tanks, the lowest concentrations of total ammonia nitrogen were found in the tanks with higher density of fish provided with afternoon aeration. Nitrite concentrations were lower in the 8-fish aerated tanks. In intensive system, the afternoon aeration of the fish culture water is an efficient management of water quality to remove gaseous ammonia and nitrite from water, but it is not appropriate to remove hydrogen sulfide from water.

The present study has assessed the benefits of the association between nocturnal and diurnal aeration of water on Nile tilapia’s culture tanks’ water and soil quality, as well as to fish growth performance. There were control tanks without mechanical aeration. In the nocturnal tanks, the aeration was provided daily from 22:00 h up to 06:00 h. The diurnal tanks were provided with aeration daily from 10:00 h up to 18:00 h. In the nocturnal and diurnal tanks, the culture water was aerated from 10:00 h up to 06:00 h. The concentration of NH3 was significantly lower in the diurnal aerated, and nocturnal + diurnal aerated tanks when compared to the non-aerated tanks. The best water quality management to attain simultaneously high DO2 and low NH3 concentration was the nocturnal + diurnal aeration of water. The nocturnal + diurnal aeration of water has not shown any clear advantage on fish growth performance after 10 weeks when compared to the nocturnal aeration of water. It was concluded that the nocturnal + diurnal aeration of water is a water quality management superior to the nocturnal aeration because it achieves a better water quality

The effects of supplying dried bioflocs biomass to Nile tilapia juveniles were investigated in the present work. Fish were stocked in experimental rearing tanks for eight weeks. Selected variables of water quality, growth performance and effluent quality were evaluated. Fish were given different combinations of artificial diets and biofloc biomass, in wet (in natura) or dry form. As the supply of artificial diet decreased, the allowance of biofloc biomass increased in the same proportion. Biofloc biomass was produced in two 500-L tanks that received daily applications of dry molasses to adjust the C: N ratio of the water to 15: 1. The concentration of nitrite in water was only reduced in the tanks receiving wet bioflocs. The fish growth performance was poorer in the tanks that received dried biofloc biomass than in the tanks with wet biofloc biomass. Given the lack of positive results, there is no justification to dry the biofloc biomass aiming at delivering it as a dry biomass to reared fish.

The present work aimed at determining the tolerance of Nile tilapia juveniles to highly acidic rearing waters and the effects of water acidity on the quality of tank effluents. The experimental design consisted of four treatments with different water pH values (4.12 ± 0.84; 5.13 ± 0.74; 6.14 ± 0.64 and 8.06 ± 0.48), with five replicates each. No exchange of water was performed throughout the study, only water replenishment to maintain the initial level. Variables of water quality, soil, growth performance, metabolism and effluents were monitored for eight weeks. Despite the lower total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentration in the pH 8 tanks, their levels of non-ionized ammonia (NH3) were the highest ones. At the end, the lowest body weight of fish was observed in the pH 8 tanks. There was a significant improvement in feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) due to to water acidification. There were reduced concentrations of NH3 in the acidified tanks’ effluents. It was concluded that the gradual water acidification up to pH 4 can improve the Nile tilapia juveniles’ growth performance.

Intensive aquaculture systems may cause pollution in water bodies because their effluents have high levels of nutrients. The use of substrates for periphyton and the manipulation of the C: N ratio of water are technologies that can be employed to increase aquaculture yield with environmental sustainability. The present study has aimed at determining whether feeding restriction could stimulate a greater use of natural food in three different Nile tilapia rearing systems (green water, bioflocs and biophyton), without growth performance impairment. There were nine treatments with four replicates each one (36 experimental units). The animals were raised in conventional (green water) tanks, C: N-ratio adjusted tanks (bioflocs) and bioflocs + periphyton integrated tanks (biophyton). In each culture system, the artificial diet was delivered regularly or under two levels of restriction (15 and 30%). In conventional tanks, fish growth performance was reduced by feeding restriction. Ammonia and nitrite were reduced in bioflocs tanks. Underwater structures for periphyton were not able to increase ammonia and nitrite removal. In bioflocs tanks, feeding restriction of 15% did not lessen fish weigh gain. Underwater structures for periphyton have not improved fish growth performance in any aspect.

The objective of the present work was to assess the possible benefits of the installation of underwater structures for periphyton in bioflocs tanks for Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, submitted to feed restriction (artificial diet). The experimental treatments evaluated were: (1) BFT: bioflocs technology for aquaculture with no feed restriction; (2) BFT-30: the same as (1) but with feed restriction at 30%; (3) BP: biophyton technology for aquaculture, that is, integration between bioflocs and periphyton in the same rearing unit, with no feed restriction; (4) BP-30: the same as (3) but with feed restriction at 30%. The underwater structures for periphyton in the BP and BP-30 tanks were not able to reduce the concentrations of ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and reactive phosphorus in the water to same respective level found in the BFT and BFT-30 tanks. The underwater structures for periphyton in the BP and BP-30 tanks have not significantly affected fish growth performance. No benefits were obtained by the installation of underwater structures for periphyton in bioflocs tanks submitted to feed restriction on water quality, water microbiology and tilapia growth performance.

The present work determined the effects of water with unbalanced calcium hardness/total alkalinity (CH/TA) ratio on Nile tilapia growth performance. Two unbalanced CH/TA ratios were tested for 8 weeks using one indoor system with 30 circular polyethylene 100 L tanks and one outdoor system with 36 circular polyethylene 250 L tanks. The factors and their specific levels tested were the total alkalinity of water (TA; 50 and 100 mg L-1 CaCO3) and the CH/TA ratio of water (CH/TA; 1/2, 1/1 and 5/1). In the indoor system, the 5/1 CH/TA ratio tanks had higher total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) than the 1/2 or 1/1 CH/TA ratio tanks. In the outdoor system, higher concentrations of TAN were found in the 1/2 CH/TA ratio tanks. The soil of the 5/1 CH/TA ratio indoor tanks had higher concentrations of organic carbon than the 1/2 or 1/1 CH/TA ratio tanks. The detrimental effects of the 5/1 CH/TA ratio on fish growth performance were stronger than those associated with the 1/2 CH/TA ratio. A significantly better food conversion ratio was observed in the 1/1 CH/TA ratio outdoor tanks regardless of the TA level of the water.

The present work aimed at reassessing the suitable range of water pH for culture of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L. juveniles in eutrophic water. Two hundred and forty tilapia juveniles (1.37 ± 0.04 g) were stocked in twenty 250-L polyethylene tanks (12 fish per tank) for eight weeks. In the control tanks, the pH of water was not adjusted at any time, varying freely over the entire study. In the slight acidification treatment, the culture water was acidified daily to reach a water pH between 5.5 and 6.5. In the moderate acidification treatment, there were daily applications of HCl solution to reach a water pH between 4.5 and 5.5. In the alkalinization treatment, tanks received daily applications of Na2CO3 and NaOH to achieve a water pH between 8.5 and 9.5. Acidification of water, regardless the degree, i.e., slight or moderate, was not able to significantly affect final body weight, specific growth rate and yield of fish. It can be concluded that the acidification of water up to pH 5.5 has no negative influence on growth of Nile tilapia fingerlings in eutrophic tanks. Accordingly, the suitable range of water pH for rearing Nile tilapia should be set at 5.5 – 9.0.

The following research isolated and identified the main bacterial groups present in the culture of juvenile Nile tilapia in the presence of bioflocs and/or periphyton. The strains were also tested for the production of exoenzymes, indicative of potential virulence factors, and ability to form biofilm. The water samples were taken from tilapia cultured in the presence of bioflocs (T1), in the presence of bioflocs and periphyton (T2), from traditional culture (T3) and from culture in the presence of periphyton (T4). In the growth and selection of the bacterial groups, pour plate method was used, along with the following media: Plate Count Agar (PCA - DIFCO), Aero Pseudo Selective Agar (GSP - Himedia) and Nutrient Agar (AN - Merck). 46 strains were isolated in the following distribution: T1 (n = 12); T2 (n = 10); T3 (n = 14) and T4 (n = 10). Among the isolates, the most frequent genera were: Pseudomonas spp., Aeromonas spp., Staphylococcus spp., Bacillus spp., Mycobacterium spp., Micrococcus spp., and Corybacterium spp. Bacterial isolates in treatments T1 and T3 tested positive for five virulence profiles each, while those isolated from T2 and T4 for two and three virulence profiles, respectively. Treatments in bioflocs and periphyton (T2) or only periphyton (T4) yielded bacteria of less pathogenic potentials. In relation to the fish growth, T1 and T4 resulted in a higher final weight.

The present work aimed at determining the effects of the association between the periphyton-based system with the bioflocs-based system in the intensive culture of juvenile Nile tilapia (1.56 ± 0.07 g; 72 fish m-3), on variables of water quality, growth performance and effluent quality after 10 weeks. The experiment was arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial randomized block design with four treatments and five repetitions each. The factors tested were the following: ‘underwater structure’ (absence and presence) and ‘adjustment of the C: N ratio of water’ (no and yes). The final fish body weight, specific growth rate and yield were higher (p < 0.05) in the C: N-adjusted tanks. The presence of submerged structures in the tanks had no significant influence on those same variables. It was concluded that the periphyton-based system is not indicated for intensive farming of Nile tilapia, in which there is a high allowance of artificial feed to fish.

The present work aimed to compare the physical and chemical quality of domestic sludge in the city of Pentecoste, State of Ceará, Brazil, to fish pond effluents from the Aquaculture Research Center of the Departamento Nacional de Obras Contras as Secas – DNOCS, located in the same city. The work was carried out in Pentecoste (State of Ceará, Brazil) in three sampling campaigns, with 30-day intervals between them. In each campaign, four samples were collected at different points of the following sites: (1) fish pond supply channel from the Aquaculture Research Center (CPAq) of the DNOCS; (2) fish pond drainage channel of CPAq/DNOCS; (3) tap water from four homes in Pentecoste; and (4) domestic sludge channel of Pentecoste. In the lab, samples were analyzed for dissolved oxygen, total ammonia, free CO2, nitrite, reactive phosphorus, electric conductivity and chemical oxygen demand (COD), following standard methods. It was concluded that Pentecoste’s domestic sludge has a much stronger eutrophication impact on the receiving water than that caused by the CPAq/DNOCS’s fish pond effluents.

The objective of the present work was to determine the effects of the interaction between feeding rate and area for periphyton in rearing aquaria for Nile tilapia. Twenty 25 L polyethylene outdoor aquaria were used to hold experimental fish. Three tilapia fingerlings (2.56  0.14 g) were stocked in each aquarium for five weeks (12 fish m-2). There were two different feeding rates (full and full minus 30%) and two submerged areas for periphyton development (59.4% and 96.5% of the aquarium surface area; n = 5). Final body weight, specific growth rate and yield in the 96.5%-area aquaria of fish submitted to 30% less feed were significantly higher than in the 96.5%-area aquaria submitted to full feeding rates. Fish growth in the restricted-feed aquaria was favored by their better water quality (higher pH and lower total ammonia nitrogen). There were negative effects on final body weight, SGR, yield and feed conversion ratio of fish in full-feed aquaria when the area for periphyton increased from 59.4 to 96.5%. It was concluded that the combination of restricted feeding rates with large substrate areas for periphyton growth results in better water quality for fish culture than the adoption of each management alone.O presente trabalho teve como objetivo determinar os efeitos da interação entre a taxa de arraçoamento e a área submersa para perifíton em aquários de cultivo de tilápia do Nilo. Foram utilizados 20 aquários de 25 L no trabalho. Três juvenis de tilápia (2,56  0,14 g) foram estocados em cada aquário por cinco semanas. Havia duas taxas de arraçoamento (cheia e cheia menos 30%) e duas áreas submersas para o desenvolvimento de perifíton (59,4 e 96,5% da área superficial do aquário; n = 5). O peso corporal final dos peixes nos aquários com 96,5% de área para perifíton e submetidos à taxa alimentar restritiva foram significativamente maiores que nos aquários com 96,5% de área e taxa alimentar padrão. O crescimento dos peixes nos aquários com arraçoamento restritivo foi favorecido pela melhor qualidade de água (maior pH e menos amônia). O crescimento e conversão alimentar dos peixes foram negativamente afetados nos aquários com 96,5% de área para perifíton e taxa de arraçoamento padrão. Concluiu-se que a combinação de taxas alimentares restritivas com a adoção de maiores áreas de substratos para o desenvolvimento de perifíton traz melhores resultados de qualidade de água que o emprego desses manejos de forma isolada.

The present work aimed at evaluating the effects of single or paired increase of water’s total alkalinity (TA) and total hardness (TH) on the performance of Nile tilapia juveniles’ growth and culture water quality. Twenty five 25-L outdoor polyethylene aquaria were used to hold experimental fish (0.82 ± 0.06 g; 10 fish per aquarium) for 6 weeks. There were two conditions of TA (low or high) and of TH (moderate or high) in the culture water, obtained by the application of different salts (CaCO3, Na2CO3 and CaSO4) upon a previously acidified water, all at the same rate. Water quality and growth performance variables were observed in each replicate. The acidification of the supply water with HCl has resulted in significantly lower final body weight (p < 0.05). Except for the Na2CO3, growth performance of tilapia has improved significantly after CaCO3 liming or CaSO4 application (p < 0.05) and no significant difference was detected between these last two fish groups (p > 0.05). It was concluded that beyond a minimum level of TA (≥ 20 mg L-1 CaCO3) and TH (≥ 20 mg L-1 CaCO3), it is also important that fish culture waters have a TH/TA ratio higher than 1.

The present research aimed to assess a lab-scale model to study periphyton-based systems for fish culture. Twenty-five liters plastic aquaria were stocked with three Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, juveniles (0.77±0.09g; 12 fish m-2) for 6 weeks in a 2x2 factorial design. Small plastic bottles were placed in some aquaria for periphyton development. Two feeding regimes were employed: "full-fed" (standard feeding rates were fully adopted) and "half-fed" (50% of standard feeding rates). Growth performance and limnological variables were observed in each aquarium. There werefive replicates per treatment. Fish have fed actively on periphyton, especially in the half-fed aquaria. The placement of periphyton bottles had no significant effects on the water quality variables, except by the gross primary productivity which became lower. Half-fed aquaria presented lower concentrations of ammonia (0.28-0.29mg L-1), nitrite (0.33-0.37mg L-1) and phosphorus (0.42-0.43mg L-1) than full-fed aquaria (0.57-0.60mg L-1; 0.75-0.77mg L-1; 0.67-0.70mg L-1, respectively). The final body weight of fish in half-fed aquaria with periphyton bottles (6.22±0.64g) was significantly higher than in aquaria without bottles (4.65±0.36g). Although the growth rate of fish was lower in the half-fed aquaria (4.27-4.72 vs. 5.29-5.61% BW day-1), survival was significantly higher when compared to the full-fed aquaria (93.3-100.0 vs. 80.0-83.4%). Only in the aquaria with periphyton the feed conversation ratio was improved by the feeding restriction regime.O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar um modelo laboratorial para estudo de sistemas de cultivo de peixes baseados em perifíton. Aquários de 25L foram estocados com três juvenis de tilápia do Nilo, Oreochromis niloticus (0,77±0,09g; 12 peixes m-2) por seis semanas, em arranjo fatorial 2x2. Pequenas garrafas plásticas foram colocadas em determinados aquários para o desenvolvimento de perifíton. Dois regimes alimentares foram empregados: "cheio", no qual taxas alimentares padrões foram integralmente adotadas e "metade", em que 50% das taxas alimentares regulares foram empregadas. Variáveis limnológicas e de desempenho zootécnico foram observadas em cada aquário. Havia cinco repetições por tratamento. Os peixes ingeriram ativamente perifíton, especialmente os que receberam metade do arraçoamento padrão. A colocação de garrafas para o crescimento de perifíton não teve efeito significativo nas variáveis de qualidade de água, excetuando-se na produtividade primária bruta que foi menor. Os aquários arraçoados pela metade apresentaram menores concentrações de amônia (0,28-0,29mg L-1), nitrito (0,33-0,37mg L-1) e fósforo (0,42-0,43mg L-1) que os aquários arraçoados integralmente (0,57-0,60mg L-1; 0,75-0,77mg L-1; 0,67-0,70mg L-1, respectivamente). O peso corporal final dos peixes nos aquários arraçoados pela metade, mas com garrafas para perifíton (6,22±0,64g), foi significativamente maior que nos respectivos aquários sem garrafas (4,65±0,36g). Embora a taxa de crescimento dos peixes alimentados com metade das taxas regulares tenha sido menor (4,27-4,72 vs. 5,29-5,61% PC dia-1), a sobrevivência foi significativamente maior para estes, quando comparados com os peixes alimentados com taxas regulares (93,3-100,0 vs. 80,0-83,4%). Apenas nos aquários com perifíton a conversão alimentar foi melhorada pela restrição alimentar imposta.

The present study investigated the effects of different feeding schedules on certain variables of water quality and growth performance of Nile tilapia juveniles. Fifteen 25-L aquaria were used to hold the experimental fish population for six weeks. Five fingerlings (1.86  0.13 g) were stocked in each aquarium (200 fish m-3; n = 5). The diet provided to fish and the feeding rates adopted were the same for all fish. The daily ration was divided in four meals (8, 11, 13 and 16h). In the positive control group (25/25/25/25), the daily ration was equally divided in the four meals; in the negative control group (40/30/20/10), the daily ration was unevenly divided in a progressively decreasing fashion (40, 30, 20 and 10%) throughout the day; in the experimental group (10/20/30/40), the daily ration was unevenly divided in a progressively increasing fashion (10, 20, 30 and 40%) throughout the day. The feed conversion ratio results were better for 10/20/30/40 than for the other groups. The 10/20/30/40 feeding schedule probably best combined the dietary allowance for fish with the increase in water temperature during the day.O presente trabalho investigou os efeitos de diferentes programas alimentares sobre algumas variáveis de qualidade de água e de desempenho zootécnico da tilápia do Nilo. Foram utilizados 15 aquários de 25 L para manter a população experimental por seis semanas. Foram estocados cinco alevinos (1,86  0,13 g) em cada aquário (200 peixes m-3; n = 5). A dieta fornecida aos peixes e as taxas de arraçoamento adotadas foram as mesmas para todos os peixes. A ração diária foi dividida em quatro refeições (8, 11, 13 e 16h). No controle-positivo (25/25/25/25), a ração diária foi igualmente dividida nas quatro refeições; no controle-negativo (40/30/20/10), a ração diária foi desigualmente dividida de modo progressivamente decrescente (40, 30, 20 e 10%) ao longo do dia; no grupo experimental (10/20/30/40), a ração diária foi desigualmente dividida de modo progressivamente crescente (10, 20, 30 e 40%) ao longo do dia. Os resultados do fator de conversão alimentar foram melhores para 10/20/30/40 que para os outros grupos. O programa alimentar 10/20/30/40 foi aquele que provavelmente melhor combinou a oferta de dieta aos peixes cultivados com o aumento na temperatura da água durante o dia.

Present study investigated the effects of different feeding schedules on certain variables of water quality and growth performance of Nile tilapia juveniles. Fifteen 25-L aquaria were used to hold the experimental fish population for six weeks. Five fingerlings (1.86 ± 0.13 g) were stocked in each aquarium (200 fish m-3; n = 5). The diet provided to fish and the feeding rates adopted were the same for all fish. The daily ration was divided in four meals (8, 11, 13 and 16h). In the positive control group (25/25/25/25), the daily ration was equally divided in the four meals; in the negative control group (40/30/20/10), the daily ration was unevenly divided in a progressively decreasing fashion (40, 30, 20 and 10%) throughout the day; in the experimental group (10/20/30/40), the daily ration was unevenly divided in a progressively increasing fashion (10, 20, 30 and 40%) throughout the day. The feed conversion ratio results were better for 10/20/30/40 than for the other groups. The 10/20/30/40 feeding schedule probably best combined the dietary allowance for fish with the increase in water temperature during the day.

Current experiment was undertaken during 6 weeks with Nile tilapia,Oreochomis niloticus, fingerlings (1.28 . 0.03 g) to assess the effects of moderate Na2CO3 liming on water quality and fish growth performance. Twenty-four 25 L-aquaria, with 15 fish per aquarium, were used, of which twelve aquaria were placed in the lab’s indoor room and twelve in the outdoor area. Two types of water (clear or green) and three different water-quality managements (none, HCl acidification and Na2CO3 liming) were simultaneously evaluated in a 3 x 2 factorial design. Total ammonia, calcium hardness, pH and total alkalinity in the green water aquaria were significantly higher than rates in the clear water aquaria. Slight liming acid water with Na2CO3 did not produce any significant effect on its water calcium hardness. No significant differences between controls and theexperimental group were observed for any growth variables. Lime rearing water with Na2CO3 has no significant effect on tilapia growth performance if the initial total alkalinity of water is higher than 20 mg CaCO3 L-1.O presente estudo foi realizado por seis semanas com alevinos de tilápia do Nilo, Oreochromis niloticus (1,28 . 0,03 g), para avaliar os efeitos da calagem moderada da água de cultivo com Na2CO3 naqualidade da água e no desempenho produtivo dos peixes cultivados. Vinte e quatro aquários de polietileno de 25 L foram utilizados para manter os peixes experimentais (15 peixes por aquário). Doze aquários foram instalados na sala interna do laboratório e 12 aquários na área externa. Dois tipos de águas (claras, sem fitoplâncton ou verdes,ricas em fitoplâncton) e três diferentes manejos de qualidade de água (nenhum, acidificação com HCl ou calagem com Na2CO3) foram avaliados simultaneamente em delineamento fatorial 3 x 2. A concentração de amônia total, dureza cálcica, pH e alcalinidade total das águas verdes foram significativamente maiores que para as águas claras. A calagem das águas fracamente ácidas com Na2CO3 não produziu nenhumefeito significativo na dureza cálcica da água. Não se observaram diferenças significativas entre os grupos-controle e o grupo experimental para nenhuma das variáveis de desempenho produtivo observadas. Concluiu-se que fazer a calagem da água de cultivo de tilápias com Na2CO3 não trará nenhum benefício ao desempenho zootécnico dos peixes se a alcalinidade inicial da água exceder 20 mg L-1 de CaCO3.

The present study was carried out for 6 week with Nile tilapia, Oreochomis niloticus, fingerlings (0.77 ± 0.04 g) to assess the effects of moderate CaCO3 liming on water pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, free CO2 and total ammonia, as well as on fish finalbody weight, final body length, survival and FCR. Eighteen 25-L polyethylene aquaria were used to hold the experimental fish (15 fish per aquarium). Nine aquaria were set in the lab’s indoor room and nine aquaria in its outdoor area. Two types of water (clear or green) and three different water quality managements (none, HCl acidification and CaCO3 liming) were evaluated simultaneously in a 3 x 2 factorial design. The application of analytical calcium carbonate at 1 g 10 L-1 in the clear or green waters has produced superior Niletilapia fingerlings’ final body weight and length. The best set of limnological conditions that improved Nile tilapia fingerlings growth was the following: pH: 7.4-8.2; total alkalinity > 50 mg L-1; calcium hardness > 140 mg L-1; free CO2 < 7 mg L-1. The total ammoniaconcentration in fish aquaria was not affected by CaCO3 liming (p > 0.05).O presente estudo foi realizado por seis semanas, com alevinos de tilápia do Nilo, Oreochromis niloticus (0,77 ± 0,04 g), para se avaliar os efeitos da calagem moderada da água com CaCO3 no pH, alcalinidade total, dureza cálcica, concentrações de CO2 livre e amônia total da água, assim como peso final, comprimento total final, sobrevivência e FCA dos peixes cultivados. Dezoito aquários de polietileno de 25 L foram utilizados para se manter os peixes experimentais (15 peixes por aquário). Nove aquários foram instalados na sala interna do laboratório e nove, na sua área externa. Dois tipos de águas (claras ou verdes) e três diferentes manejos de qualidade de água (nenhum, acidificação com HCl ou calagem com CaCO3) foram avaliados simultaneamente em delineamento fatorial 3 x 2. A aplicação de CaCO3 p.a. em 1 g 10 L-1 em águas claras ou verdes resultou em peso final e comprimento total significativamente maiores. As condições limnológicas que propiciaram os melhores resultados zootécnicos foram as seguintes: pH = 7,4-8,2; alcalinidade total > 50 mg L-1; dureza cálcica > 140 mg L-1; CO2 livre < 7,0 mg L-1. A concentração de amônia total nos aquários não foi afetada pela calagem com CaCO3.

The present work aimed to obtain a mathematical expression to calculate the amount of EDTA required to produce calcium-free and low-calcium water ([Ca2+] < 5 mg L-1). Initially, a pilot test was carried out to confirm the effectiveness of EDTA as a chelating agentof waterborne calcium and to evaluate its effect on water pH. Five application rates of Na- EDTA (25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 mg L-1) were tested. The concentration of calcium in water was determined initially (before the application of EDTA) and after one hour. Linearregression analysis was performed to find out the relationship between the desired calcium concentration in water and the required EDTA: initial calcium hardness ratio. The expression . = -0.0911x + 3.3628 (R2 = 0.933) was derived from the linear regression analysis carried out, in which x represents the desired calcium concentration in water and y the required EDTA: initial calcium hardness ratio.O presente trabalho teve como objetivo determinar a quantidade de EDTAnecessaria para se produzir agua sem calcio e agua mole ([Ca2+] < 5 mg L-1) para experimentacao em aquicultura. Inicialmente, realizou-se teste-piloto para confirmar a efetividade do EDTA como agente complexante do calcio presente na agua e avaliar seu efeito no pH da agua. No teste principal, cinco taxas de aplicacao de Na-EDTA (25, 50, 75, 100 e 125 mg L-1) foram avaliadas. A concentracao de calcio da agua foi determinada inicialmente (antes da aplicacao de EDTA) e apos 1h. Analise de regressao linear foi feita para se descobrir a relacao entre a concentracao desejada de calcio na agua e a relacaoEDTA/dureza calcica inicial da agua necessaria. A expressao . = -0,0911x + 3,3628 (R2 = 0,933) foi obtida a partir da regressao realizada na qual x representa a concentracao desejada de calcio na agua e y a relacao EDTA/dureza calcica inicial da agua.

Present study investigated the effects of different feeding schedules on certain variables of water quality and growth performance of Nile tilapia juveniles. Fifteen 25-L aquaria were used to hold the experimental fish population for six weeks. Five fingerlings (1.86 ± 0.13 g) were stocked in each aquarium (200 fish m-3; n = 5). The diet provided to fish and the feeding rates adopted were the same for all fish. The daily ration was divided in four meals (8, 11, 13 and 16h). In the positive control group (25/25/25/25), the daily ration was equally divided in the four meals; in the negative control group (40/30/20/10), the daily ration was unevenly divided in a progressively decreasing fashion (40, 30, 20 and 10%) throughout the day; in the experimental group (10/20/30/40), the daily ration was unevenly divided in a progressively increasing fashion (10, 20, 30 and 40%) throughout the day. The feed conversion ratio results were better for 10/20/30/40 than for the other groups. The 10/20/30/40 feeding schedule probably best combined the dietary allowance for fish with the increase in water temperature during the day.

The present work aimed to obtain a mathematical expression to calculate the amount of EDTA required to produce calcium-free and low-calcium water ([Ca2+] < 5 mg L-1). Initially, a pilot test was carried out to confirm the effectiveness of EDTA as a chelating agent of waterborne calcium and to evaluate its effect on water pH. Five application rates of Na-EDTA (25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 mg L-1) were tested. The concentration of calcium in water was determined initially (before the application of EDTA) and after one hour. Linear regression analysis was performed to find out the relationship between the desired calcium concentration in water and the required EDTA: initial calcium hardness ratio. The expression ŷ = -0.0911x + 3.3628 (R² = 0.933) was derived from the linear regression analysis carried out, in which x represents the desired calcium concentration in water and y the required EDTA: initial calcium hardness ratio.

Current experiment was undertaken during 6 weeks with Nile tilapia, Oreochomis niloticus, fingerlings (1.28 ± 0.03 g) to assess the effects of moderate Na2CO3 liming on water quality and fish growth performance. Twenty-four 25 L-aquaria, with 15 fish per aquarium, were used, of which twelve aquaria were placed in the lab’s indoor room and twelve in the outdoor area. Two types of water (clear or green) and three different water-quality managements (none, HCl acidification and Na2CO3 liming) were simultaneously evaluated in a 3 x 2 factorial design. Total ammonia, calcium hardness, pH and total alkalinity in the green water aquaria were significantly higher than rates in the clear water aquaria. Slight liming acid water with Na2CO3 did not produce any significant effect on its water calcium hardness. No significant differences between controls and the experimental group were observed for any growth variables. Lime rearing water Na2CO3 has no significant effect on tilapia growth performance if the initial total alkalinity of water is higher than 20 mg CaCO3 L-1.

The present study was carried out for 6 week with Nile tilapia, Oreochomis niloticus, fingerlings (0.77 ± 0.04 g) to assess the effects of moderate CaCO3 liming on water pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, free CO2 and total ammonia, as well as on fish final body weight, final body length, survival and FCR. Eighteen 25-L polyethylene aquaria were used to hold the experimental fish (15 fish per aquarium). Nine aquaria were set in the lab’s indoor room and nine aquaria in its outdoor area. Two types of water (clear or green) and three different water quality managements (none, HCl acidification and CaCO3 liming) were evaluated simultaneously in a 3 x 2 factorial design. The application of analytical calcium carbonate at 1 g 10 L-1 in the clear or green waters has produced superior Nile tilapia fingerlings’ final body weight and length. The best set of limnological conditions that improved Nile tilapia fingerlings growth was the following: pH: 7.4-8.2; total alkalinity > 50 mg L-1; calcium hardness > 140 mg L-1; free CO2 < 7 mg L-1. The total ammonia concentration in fish aquaria was not affected by CaCO3 liming (p > 0.05).

Resumo As características físicas e químicas da água de cultivo afetam fortemente o crescimento, a reprodução, a saúde e a sobrevivência dos peixes. Por isso, delineou-se o presente trabalho com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da atividade fotossintética na alcalinidade total da água de cultivo de alevinos de tilápia do Nilo Oreochromis niloticus mantidos em laboratório. Havia 18 aquários de polietileno com capacidade total para 25 L e volume útil de 20 L, distribuídos igualmente em dois sistemas de cultivo (interno e externo). No início do experimento, quinze alevinos de 0,52 ± 0,06 g foram estocados em cada aquário de cultivo, tanto no sistema interno como externo. O sistema de cultivo externo (águas verdes) foi considerado o tratamento experimental do trabalho, tendo o sistema de cultivo interno (águas claras) como controle experimental. O experimento teve a duração de 6 semanas. Semanalmente, coletaram-se amostras de água de todas as unidades experimentais para determinação da alcalinidade total e leitura do pH. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de variância (ANOVA) para experimentos inteiramente casualizados, adotando-se 5% como nível de significância. Em média, o pH da água nos aquários sem e com fitoplâncton foi de 7,32 ± 0,39 e 8,45 ± 0,40, respectivamente, havendo diferença significativa entre estes resultados (P < 0,001). A alcalinidade total média no sistema de aquários com águas claras e verdes foi de 50,49 ± 6,07 e 63,52 ± 2,12 mg L-1 CaCO3 , respectivamente, havendo diferença significativa entre estes resultados (P < 0,001).