It is an innovative and cost-effective technology in which toxic materials to the fish and shellfish such as Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonia can be converted to useful product, i.e., proteinaceous feed. It is the technology used in aquaculture system with limited or zero water exchange under high stocking density, strong aeration and biota formed by bio floc. The culture of bio floc will be productive in the case of culture tanks exposed to sun.
Bio Floc system was developed to improve the environmental control over the aquatic animal production. In aquaculture, the strong influential factors are the feed cost (accounting to 60% of the total production cost) and most limiting factor is the water/land availability. High stocking density and rearing of aquatic animals requires wastewater treatment. Bio floc system is a wastewater treatment which has gained vital importance as an approach in aquaculture. The principle of this technique is the generation of nitrogen cycle by maintaining higher C: N ratio through stimulating heterotrophic microbial growth, which assimilates the nitrogenous waste that can be exploited by the cultured spices as a feed. The bio floc technology is not only effective in treating the waste but also grants nutrition to the aquatic animal. The bio floc technology has been implemented in shrimp farming due to its bottom dwelling habit and resistance to environmental changes. Studies have been conducted to assess the larval growth and reproductive performance of shrimps and Nile tilapia. An improved breeding performance was observed in shrimp reared in the bio floc system when compared to that of normal culture practices. Similarly improved larval growth performance was also noticed.
It reduces environmental impact
It reduces utilization of protein rich feed and cost of standard feed
Reduces water pollution and the risk of introduction and spread of pathogens
It reduces the pressure on capture fisheries i.e., use of cheaper food fish and trash fish for fish feed formulation
Higher productivity (It enhances survival rate, growth performance, feed conversion in the culture systems of fish)