March 2008 - 12 OxyTowers™ for Mainstream Canada
When Jack Edwards, Operations Manager of Mainstream Canada’s hatcheries was looking for more production at Boot Lagoon Hatchery he ordered 12 OxyTowers™ from PR Aqua.
Boot Lagoon Hatchery uses surface water from Great Central Lake, which carries an indigenous sockeye salmon stock; this requires the use of a very large UV system to disinfect all the process water for the flow-through hatchery. For cost and logistical reasons Jack made the decision to increase production without increasing the water supply.
By extending the rearing tank walls from 4 feet to 6 feet, each tank gained 30% additional volume. The installation of the complete OxyTower™ 500 reuse systems was engineered not only to handle the increased volume but also to increase tank exchanges from two hours to less than one. All in all Jack is very happy with the system and had this to say about it:
"The installation of the OxyTowers™ has resulted in a net gain of 30% in fish production in the extended reuse tanks while using 50% less O2. We no longer need to use O2 diffusers in the tanks and we find that the reuse system allows for more efficient application of treatments such as the "Supersmolt system". We are very happy to have achieved these results without impacting either the footprint or the water use of the facility."
February 2008 - Job Posting - Engineer
We are currently looking for a licensed civil, mechanical, chemical or environmental engineer or an engineer in training with the following qualifications. You have 1-5 years of practical experience in aquaculture, wastewater, or a related field preferably with some exposure to project management. You possess excellent written, verbal communication and interpersonal skills. You work very well in a team environment.
If you are interested in this exciting opportunity please respond via fax or email with references to:
Michael Henderson
General Manager
Fax: 250-714-0171
Email: info@praqua.com
January 2008 - New Heathro™ Pump for Powell River Hatchery
 The Powell River Salmon Enhancement Society has just taken delivery of a new gas powered Heathro™ Fish Pump to assist in the delivery of Chinook, Coho and Chum Salmon fry. They produce close to 2,500,000 fry annually for release along British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast north of Vancouver.
The Heathro™ Pump will greatly improve the efficiency of their fish loading operations and will reduce the need for fry to be moved by net from the rearing tanks to the transport truck making life easier for the volunteers and the fish. In the past, fish were crowded and netted from the rearing tank, carried up to 60 feet to the transport truck and then up a ladder into the truck. Now two people will crowd the fish in the tank, and the fish will easily and safely be pumped up into the truck.
The Powell River Salmon Enhancement Society is a non-profit organization and works in partnership with the Pacific Salmon Foundation. They rely heavily on a dedicated team of volunteers and receive funding from the Department of Fisheries & Oceans, and through donations and fund raising.
November 2007 - OxyTower™ Retrofit at Target Marine Hatchery
Target Marine Hatcheries in Sechelt, British Columbia has two full recirculation hatchery cells of 550 m3 each, the Target Marine Hatchery staff is well acquainted with state of the art recirculation technology. This summer they made the decision to convert much of their old 30’ tank field from flow-through to partial reuse by purchasing and installing five OxyTower™ 500’s helping the hatchery move to a partial reuse system.
Due to the water shortages in the summer, Target has only been able to operate these tanks at full capacity for eight months of the year and been limited to the amount of fish they could produce but with the new OxyTowers™ they are able increase production while improving the quality and reducing the quantity of water required. Rob Haines, Hatchery Manager, said, “I am extremely pleased with the units’ performance and ease of install.”
Each of the PR Aqua OxyTower™ 500 gas balancing systems for Target included: gas balancing tower for flows of up to 500 USGpm, header tank and stand, pumping and oxygen distribution equipment which arrived on site ready to install at their culture tanks.
June 2007 - Proud Sponsor of Water Reuse Short Course
PR Aqua is proud to support the
2007 Reuse for Intensive Fish Culture Short Course organized by Freshwater Institute & Wyoming Game & Fish Department which provides a valuable opportunity for fish culturists to learn about emerging culture practices and technologies for aquaculture facilities.
Recycling has become an economic imperative in many industries and aquaculture is no exception. Aquaculture facilities face competing demands for increasing limited water resources and tightening restrictions on waste discharge while maintaining competitiveness in a global market. Water reuse and recirculation technologies have allowed aquaculture facilities to evolve to meet the growing need for economic and environmental sustainability. The short course addresses this important technological evolution and provides attendees with an opportunity for hands-on learning from some of the most respected authorities in the field.
For more information on the short course please visit www.freshwaterinstitute.org
March 2007 - New! Internal Weir for Microscreen Drum Filter
 PR Aqua has an excellent, new option that enhances our long standing line of microscreen drum filters. We now offer our RFM drum filters with an internal weir for level control. What this means to our clients is that there is no need to design level control for the drum filter in downstream plumbing, it is all taken care of within the unit. The weir maintains the water level within the drum filter housing which keeps the drum submerged to its design depth. This optimizes the performance of the filter and reduces the cost of installation as well as eases operation. The IW series of filters are quickly becoming our most popular unit.
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