Aeration
is one of the most discussed—and misunderstood—topics in shrimp farming. Most
farmers don’t search for product names or technologies. They search for solutions
to problems they see in their ponds.
This blog
answers the real questions shrimp farmers ask about aeration in
nurseries and grow-out ponds.
Why Do Shrimp Gather Near the Pond Edge or Surface
at Night?
This
usually happens due to low dissolved oxygen (DO) in the pond, especially
near the bottom.
At night:
- Algae stop producing oxygen
- Shrimp respiration increases
- Organic waste consumes
oxygen near the pond floor
If oxygen
is only available at the surface, shrimp move upward or toward aerators to
survive.
Bottom
aeration helps
maintain oxygen where shrimp live, preventing this behaviour.
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Is Surface Aeration Enough for Shrimp Farming?
Surface
aerators mainly:
- Oxygenate the top layer
of water
- Create strong currents near
the machine
- Leave the pond bottom
under-aerated
For low
stocking densities, this may be sufficient.
For nurseries, biofloc systems, or intensive grow-out ponds, surface
aeration alone is usually not enough.
Bottom-level
oxygen supply is critical as biomass increases.
Why Does My Pond Bottom Turn Black and Smell Bad?
A black,
foul-smelling pond bottom indicates:
- Low oxygen at the bottom
- Formation of anaerobic
conditions
- Presence of toxic gases like
hydrogen sulphide (H₂S)
This
often leads to:
- Poor shrimp growth
- Weak moulting
- Sudden mortality
Aeration
that reaches the pond bottom prevents these conditions by keeping the soil
aerobic.
How Can I Improve Oxygen at the Pond Bottom?
To
improve bottom oxygen:
- Use aeration systems that
release air near the pond floor
- Ensure oxygen is distributed
evenly across the pond
- Avoid relying only on high-turbulence
surface aerators
Fine air
bubbles rising slowly from the bottom improve oxygen transfer and circulation
without stressing shrimp. More info https://airoxitube.blogspot.com/2025/02/what-is-ideal-aeration-setup-for-shrimp.html
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Why Is Aeration More Important in Shrimp Nurseries?
Nurseries
have:
- Very high stocking density
- High feeding frequency
- Rapid waste accumulation
Young
shrimp stay close to the bottom and are sensitive to:
- Oxygen fluctuations
- Strong water currents
Gentle,
uniform aeration near the bottom improves:
- Survival rate
- Growth uniformity
- Stress resistance during moulting
Can Too Much Aeration Stress Shrimp?
Yes.
Excessive
or poorly designed aeration can:
- Create strong currents
- Increase shrimp energy loss
- Cause physical stress or injury
Effective
aeration should:
- Supply oxygen evenly
- Maintain gentle circulation
- Avoid disturbing feeding and
resting behaviour
More
turbulence does not always mean better oxygenation.
Why Does Feed Waste Accumulate Even with Aerators
Running?
This happens
when:
- Aeration is concentrated in
one area
- Pond circulation is uneven
- Bottom zones remain stagnant
Proper
aeration helps:
- Prevent sludge compaction
- Keep organic matter from
settling excessively
- Make siphoning and waste
removal easier
Even oxygen
distribution is key, not just aerator power.
Is Bottom Aeration Useful in Grow-Out Ponds?
Yes,
especially during:
- Mid to late culture stages
- High biomass periods
- Nighttime and early morning
hours
Bottom
aeration helps:
- Maintain stable DO during
peak demand
- Improve feed conversion
ratio (FCR)
- Reduce disease risk linked
to poor pond conditions
Many
farms combine bottom aeration with surface aerators for best results.
Does Better Aeration Reduce Shrimp Disease?
Indirectly,
yes.
Good aeration:
- Prevents toxic gas formation
- Improves pond hygiene
- Supports beneficial
microbial activity
- Reduces stress on shrimp
Lower
stress and cleaner pond bottoms result in better immunity and survival.
Is Aeration Power Consumption Always High?
Not
necessarily.
Efficient
aeration depends on:
- Bubble size
- Air distribution method
- Coverage area
Systems
that distribute air evenly using fine bubbles often achieve:
- Higher oxygen transfer
efficiency
- Lower energy consumption per
kg of shrimp produced
What Is the Best Aeration Strategy for Shrimp
Farming?
There is
no single aerator that fits all farms, but the most effective strategy usually
includes:
- Uniform oxygen distribution
- Oxygen availability at the
pond bottom
- Gentle circulation suitable
for shrimp behaviour
- Scalable aeration as biomass
increases
Farms
that focus only on surface oxygen often face problems later in the cycle.
Final Thoughts for Shrimp Farmers
If you
are facing issues like:
- Low DO at night
- Black pond bottoms
- Uneven shrimp growth
- High FCR
- Sudden mortality during peak
biomass
The
problem is often not lack of aerators, but how and where oxygen is
delivered.
Improving
bottom-level oxygen and uniform aeration can dramatically improve pond
performance in both nurseries and grow-out systems.
CONTACT US
🌐 www.airoxi.com
📞 +91 70410 04098 |
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