That’s right: At a depth of 8 feet and a diameter of 30 feet, the largest tank at Freshwater holds 40,000 gallons of water. But the water supply to operate this tank is almost 100% reused—meaning it is cleaned and then cycled back into the tank—and the entire recirculating system holds 70,000 gallons!
Much of our research focuses on developing and improving recirculating aquaculture systems. “The research conducted at Freshwater provides answers and technology to the aquaculture industry. If a facility needs information about how to decrease the level of carbon dioxide in the water, for example, we offer those answers,” says Tom Waldrop, a research assistant at The Freshwater Institute.
Other facts:
Only 4% of the water in this tank is new and scientists are researching ways to lower this percentage.
The tank can support up to 35,000—40,000 pounds of fish
The Freshwater Institute was designed to be efficient, with only 10% of the footprint of a typical commercial aquaculture facility. A commercial facility may operate 10 of these tanks!
A research partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service and the Freshwater Institute has refined a new model for fish farming, one that can produce healthy fish, leave a healthy environment, and be done almost anyplace, even far from large water resources. Learn more.
Take our quiz and learn more about fish farming and the research being done at our facility. Take the quiz >>
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Powered by: Phase2 TechnologyFreshwater Institute
1098 Turner Road
Shepherdstown, WV 25443-4228
Phone: 304-876-2815
Fax: 304-870-2208
Email: info@freshwaterinstitute.org
