Water-saving recirculating system by Fischtechnik International Engineering equips Swiss research institute for the future

23 July 2009 – Following a three-month planning and construction phase, Fischtechnik International Engineering GmbH has successfully completed the conversion of the research system at the Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health FIWI in the Vetsuisse Faculty of the University of Berne, Switzerland.

A 90% reduction in water consumption, better monitoring of research parameters and the incorporation of new and existing components while making optimum use of the space available were the Fischtechnik team’s aims during the FIWI project. The institute examines the state of health of wild and domesticated fish and animals, including animals from zoological gardens.

The particular challenge when installing the system was to adapt it to the existing buildings. In planning the system, Fischtechnik had to make best possible use of the available space, but without making any compromises when it came to the specifications for the research system. In addition, some existing components had to be connected to the new system.

The FIWI system comprises two sections, an indoor and an outdoor area. The research section proper is indoors and is made up of two blocks of aquariums run as a continuous flow system. Two multi-storey frameworks support 24 tanks, each with a capacity of 48 litres, plus 18 tanks with a 162-litre capacity. Each level can be operated with either cold or warm water.

The outdoor section, with its eight 2m³ tanks, is primarily designed for keeping the parent fish. At present these are all salmonids. Operating this section as a continuous flow system resulted in high water consumption, and so it was redesigned as a recirculating system and equipped with new fish tanks. Mechanical and biological purification of the water from the fish tanks is carried out by means of a Hydrotech Drumfilter and a Fischtechnik moving bed filter. After the purification phase, the water is degassed, disinfected through exposure to UV light and, if necessary, heated.

Measuring and control technology has been installed to monitor the most important operating parameters such as temperature, pH and oxygen levels. If the system malfunctions, an alert goes automatically to the person on duty.

Note for editors:
The Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health FIWI in the Vetsuisse Faculty of the University of Berne examines the state of health of wild and domesticated fish and animals, including animals from zoological gardens. This task covers diagnosis of diseases, ecopathology, epidemiology and monitoring, teaching, education and consultancy. FIWI is the Swiss reference laboratory for notifiable fish diseases and is an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory for infectious diseases of fish, free-ranging wildlife and wildlife in captivity.
For further information see www.itpa.vetsuisse.unibe.ch/fiwi

Fischtechnik International Engineering GmbH specialises in systems for intensive, low environmental impact fish farming. Chief focus is recirculating aquaculture systems that use a minimum of water and electricity. Close links to research institutes, universities and specialised companies all over the world ensure state of the art systems of the highest technical and biotechnical standard.
For more information please see www.ftie.de

Fischtechnik International Engineering GmbH
Auf der Platte 1
D-37186 Moringen
Tel. +49-(0)5555-99545-0
Fax +49-(0)5555-99545-30

Contact for the press:
Jo Dawes
Laurich & Kollegen Communication Consultants
Tel: +49-(0)40-752577-995
Fax: +49-(0)40-752577-999
E-Mail: jo.dawes@laurich-kollegen.de
Web: www.laurich-kollegen.de

This release was published on openPR.