Project Scale:
5914 lb (2683 kg) annual production of June Sucker

Where:
Logan, Utah, USA

When:
Designed in 2004/2005, Constructed in 2005/2006.

Project Description:
This is the first recirculation hatchery for culturing June Suckers, an endangered species.

Included in the design were two complete independent warm water recirculation systems designed to boost production of the June Sucker. The first system is used to raise fish from 0.02 g and 0.5 inches long to 0.93 g and 1.8 inches long. The second system is designed to increase the size to 81 g and 8 inches long for release.

Services Provided:
Bio-programming, engineering design and equipment supply services. At design completion, PR Aqua provided training to operations staff and is preparing operating manuals.

Project Features:
Each of the two recirculating aquaculture systems at the Logan June Sucker Interim Warm Water Hatchery feature water treatment system designs which allow for recirculation of up to 95% of the culture system flow rate.

The primary reasons for water recirculation included optimization of a limited water resource and the reduction of costs associated with heating energy.

The design incorporates micro-screen drum filters for solids filtration, fluidized sand bed biofilters for ammonia removal, carbon dioxide stripping, pure oxygen addition, and full flow UV disinfection.

As risk management was of great concern, the potential for mechanical and electrical failures was addressed through a comprehensive monitoring system and an automatic oxygen delivery backup system.

Challenges and Solutions:
This facility was attached to an existing flow through facility located on a flat site. The location provided hydraulic challenges to gravity flow between culture tanks and the treatment systems. An additional challenge was delivery of oxygen to culture tanks in these two warm water systems where oxygen saturation concentrations are significantly lower than found in conventional cold water systems.

Results:
It is planned to stock this facility during Spring/Summer2006.