Layout of Typical Pump-Fed Farm

Introduction

Pump-fed farms are suitable at places where mean spring tidal range is too small (< 0.8 m) or too big (> 2.0 m).

Pump fed aqua farms is best suited for semi-intensive and intensive culture system. Pump fed farms will generally
have a separate water channel and drainage channel. Pump fed farms also require storage cum sedimentation tank and
an efficient pumping unit. At the places where mean spring tide range is too small (<0.8m) or too big >2m) pump fed
farms prove economical and advantageous. Areas around a meter below the highest water level may be selected for
pump fed aqua farming so that with a minimum excavation of 20 cm to 50 cm economical ponds may be constructed.
Water storage cum sedimentation tank is to be constructed to store the water. The capacity of this storage tank should
be such that it should supply the water to all the ponds at least for 2-3 days at the desired rate of water exchange in
case of failure of electricity.

Pump fed farms do not require a big main sluice gate to supply the water. In these farms big embankments and ponds
can be avoided. At the places where ground levels are much higher than the tidal levels, the tide fed farms construction
is more expensive because of huge excavation and higher pond sluices. In such cases the site can be easily developed
as pump fed farms.
Advantages of Pump Fed Farm

 Bundhs can be formed to a minimum height.

 Earth to be excavated from the ponds is just sufficient to meet the requirements of farming the bundhs to the
required height.
 Daily and continuous exchange of water is possible which need not to be depending upon the rise or fall of
tides.
 Emergency exchange of water is possible when the quality of water deteriorates and immediate replacement
of water can be done.

COMPONENTS OF A COASTAL AQUAFARM

1. Non-productive area (depends upon overall size of the aquafarm)
2. Productive area
● Main unit: Ponds, Dike, Berm etc.
●Water Distribution System: Source of brackish water, Creek, and Coastal stream, Main Sluice, wind mill etc.
● Feeder Channel and Drainage Channel, Screen, water gate, Inlets, Outlets, Monks etc.
● Open well, Pumping unit, Storage reservoir.
● Harvest Pit.
●Water treatment and disposal: Bio-ponds – RAS.
● Other facilities: Storage sheds, Hatchery, Concrete ponds, Aeration unit, Feed mill, etc.
 Type of Pump Fed Farm
Depending upon the level of the source of water and ground elevation, there are 2 types of pump-fed farms:

1. Pump-fed farms with High Level Reservoir (HLR)- Pump-fed farms with High Level Reservoir HLR are
constructed at places where ground elevation is relatively high and tidal fluctuations cannot fill the ponds by
gravity.
2. Pump-fed farms with Low Level Reservoir (LLR)
Inlet

Feeder channel

Drainage channel
Drainage channel
Feeder channel

Feeder channel
Grow-out Grow-out
Grow-out Grow-out Pond Pond Grow-out Grow-out
Pond Pond Pond Pond

Grow-out Grow-out
Grow-out Grow-out Pond Pond Grow-out Grow-out
Pond Pond Pond Pond

Grow-out Grow-out
Pond
channel
Drainage

Grow-out Grow-out Pond Grow-out Grow-out

Pond Pond Pond Pond

HIGH LEVEL RESERVOIR

Drainage
Drainage sluice

Pump House
sluice

Leading
Canal

TYPES OF SHRIMP PONDS

● PRE-GROW OUT PONDS (NURSERY PONDS)

● GROW-OUT PONDS (CULTURE / STOCKING PONDS)

● BIO-PONDS (Waste-water Treatment Ponds)

PRE-GROW OUT PONDS

● Rearing of PL 20 up to Juvenile stage

● Smaller in size: 0.1 to 0.5 ha; occupies 10-15% of the total productive area.

GROW-OUT PONDS

(Also known as Culture / Stocking Ponds)

● Occupies major portion of Productive area: 65-70%

● Growing Juvenile to marketable size.

BIO-PONDS

Basically bio-ponds are treatment ponds to ensure ZERO DISCHARGE into the creek;