pH in shrimp ponds

pH is one of the important factors, which is always highly concerned in shrimp ponds because it reflects the pond environment and shrimp health.

To contribute to successful shrimp farming, farmers should monitor and adjust pH. The appropriate pH threshold is from 7.5-8.3. And, the pH fluctuation between morning and afternoon is no more than 0.5.

However, in some cases, the pH level is too high or too low, which affects the shrimp’s health.

View of measure pH

+ When pH is too low (<7.5), shrimp reduce their ability to absorb nutrients and minerals. Its shell softens or molts incompletely. It also increases the concentration of H2S, which is toxic to shrimp.

+ When pH is too high (>8.5), shrimp reduce eating and increase NH3 concentration, which is toxic to shrimp.

• Causes:

The pH level is high or low depending on factors, such as dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations, algae density, and the microflora in ponds. In addition, it also depends on environmental factors and weather.

• Handling measures

– In case pH is low:

• Intensifying paddle wheels and aeration to create dissolved oxygen in the water.
• Using probiotics to create watercolor and stabilize the water environment.
• Using CaO with a dose from 5-10 kg per 1000 cubic meters at 2-4 am.
• Using CaCO3, CaO, and minerals after heavy rain.
• Using EDTA with a dose of 2kg per 1000 cubic meters if the pond is contaminated with alum.
• Using Yucca with a dose of 1 liter per 2000 cubic meters, limiting toxic gases like H₂S.

View of paddle wheels and aeration to increase oxygen (left); supplement Cao (right)

-In case pH is high:

• Changing water when algae density is too high.
• Using probiotics or molasses to stabilize the algae density.
• Intensifying paddle wheels and aerations to improve the growth of probiotics.
• If pH is greater than 9, use organic acids to reduce pH immediately.
• Using Yucca with a dose of 1 liter per 2000 cubic meters to limit toxic gases as NH₃.

 View of using drugs to treat when pH is high

In addition, to stabilize pH from 7.5-8.3, we regularly use CaCO₃, Dolomite, Soda, and Bicarbonate to maintain the buffer system in water with alkalinity from 120-180 mg CaCO3 per liter.

Wish you have a good harvest and a big price.

Master Huynh Duy Phong – Binh Minh Aquaculture Development Co., Ltd

See more:

• Aquafeed Study Explores Use Of CRISPR
• Assessing The Effect of Temperature On FCR in Pacific White Shrimp Cultured in Biofloc Systems
• Heat wave causes a huge loss to the Satkhira shrimp farmers