Senior High School

Aquaculture NC II
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Quarter 1 - Module 9:

Tanks are cleaned, dried and

disinfected

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 For the learner:
Welcome to the Aquaculture NC II. This module was designed to provide you
with fun and meaningful opportunities for guided and independent learning at your
own pace and time. You will be enabled to process the contents of the learning
resource while being an active learner. This module has the following parts.

What I Need to Know

This will give you an idea of the skills or competencies you are expected to learn in the
module.

What I Know
This part includes an activity that aims to check what you already know about the
lesson to take. If you get all the answers correct (100%), you may decide to skip this
module.

What’s In
This is a brief drill or review to help you link the current lesson with the previous one.

Whats New
In this portion, the new lesson will be introduced to you in various ways such as a story,
a song, a poem, a problem opener, an activity or a situation.

What is it
This section provides a brief discussion of the lesson. This aims to help you discover
and understand new concepts and skills.

What’s More

This comprises activities for independent practice to solidify your understanding and
skills of the topic. You may check the answers to the exercises using the Answer Key at the
end of the module.

What I have Learned

This includes questions or blank sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process what you
learned from the lesson.

What I Can Do
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 This section provides an activity which will help you transfer your new knowledge or skill
into real life situations or concerns.

Assessment
This is a task which aims to evaluate your level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.

Additional Activities
In this portion, another activity will be given to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of
the lesson learned.

Answer Key
This contains answers to all activities in the module. At the end of this module you will
also find:

References
This is a list of all sources used in developing this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the
module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.

If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to
consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are not alone.
We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and gain
deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

What I need to know

This lesson will give you insights and knowledge in pond preparation especifically in
tank preparation for grow-out culture.

Learning Objectives:

After reading this INFORMATION Sheet, YOU MUST be able to:

1. Understand the basic knowledge in cleaning, drying and disinfecting of tanks.
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 2. Apply knowledge and skills in cleaning, drying and disinfecting of tanks.
3. Explain the importance of cleaning, drying and disinfecting of tanks.

What I know

Before you go through the lesson, try to answer this pre-test. This will enable you to find
out what you already know and what you still need to know about “tank cleaning, drying
and disinfecting”.

Self-Assessment:
Multiple Choice: Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. What is the first step in tank preparation?

A. Stock fingerlings
B. Tanks are cleaned by scrubbing its walls and floors
C. Disinfect and dry the tank for 1 week
D. Fill the tank with the desired water level

2. In order to attain the success in intensive tank grow-out operation, the following should
be taken into consideration except ___________.
A. Tank design C. Water acidity
B. Electricity D. Aerators

3. Which of the following is not a pointer in preparing fish tanks?

A. Stock fingerlings
B. Use rounded corners to remove the death spot
C. Fill with water at the desired level
D. Set the mooring system

4. In preparing fish tanks, the bottom of the tanks is tapered by _________ towards the
drain so that the water is easily collected.
A. 15° B. 10° C. 20° D. 25°

5. How long do you have to disinfect and dry the tank?

A. 1 week B. 2 weeks C. 3 weeks D. 4 weeks

What’s in?
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 This module will describe recommendations on disinfection procedures for
aquaculture facilities like tanks, ponds, and other culture facilities used during routine
biosecurity activities and emergency responses in aquaculture production.

What’s new?

Tank culture

The most durable tank materials are concrete and fiberglass. Other suitable but less
durable materials include wood coated with fiberglass or epoxy paint, and polyethylene,
vinyl or neoprene rubber liners inside a support structure such as coated steel, aluminum or
wood. Tank material must be non-toxic and noncorrosive. The interior surface should be
smooth to prevent damage to fish by abrasion, to facilitate cleaning and to reduce
resistance to flow. Both ease and expense of installation are important factors in the
selection of construction materials.

Tanks come in a variety of shapes, but the most common forms are circular and
rectangular. Raceways are rectangular tanks that are long and narrow. Variations of circular
tanks are silos, which are very deep, and octagonal tanks. Circular tanks are very popular
because they tend to be self-cleaning. If the direction of the inlet flow is perpendicular to the
radius, a circular flow pattern develops which scours solids off the tank bottom and carries
them to a center drain. Rectangular tanks are easy to construct but often have poor flow
characteristics. Some of the incoming water may flow directly to the drain, short-circuiting
the tank, while other areas of the tank may become stagnant, which allows waste to
accumulate and lowers oxygen levels. For these reasons, circular tanks provide better
conditions than rectangular tanks for tilapia culture. Circular culture tanks may be as large
as 100 feet in diameter, but common sizes range from 12 to 30 feet in diameter and from 4
to 5 feet in depth. Rectangular tanks are variable in dimensions and size, but raceways
have specific dimension requirements for proper operation.

Drain design important

Drain design is another important aspect of tank culture. Centre drains are required
in circular tanks for effective removal of solid waste. Water level is controlled by an overflow
standpipe placed directly in the center drain or in the drain line outside the tank. A larger
pipe (sleeve) with notches at the bottom is placed over the center standpipe to draw waste
off the tank bottom. The sleeve is higher than the standpipe but lower than the tank wall so
that water will flow over the sleeve into the standpipe if notches become closed. When an
external standpipe is used, the drain line must be screened to prevent fish from escaping.
To prevent clogging, the screened area must be expanded by inserting a cylinder of screen
into the drain so that it projects into the tank.

Disinfection is commonly employed as a disease management tool in aquaculture

facilities and/or establishments as part of a biosecurity plan. Disinfection is used to prevent
entry or exit of target pathogenic agents from an aquaculture facilities or compartment.
Disinfection may be used during emergency disease response to support the maintenance

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of disease control zones and for disease eradication from affected aquaculture
establishments.

The disinfection process should include the following phases:

1. Cleaning and washing

Cleaning and washing of surfaces should always precede the application of

disinfectants. It is necessary to remove solid waste, organic matter and chemical residues
as these may reduce the effectiveness of disinfectants. The detergent used should be
compatible with the disinfectant and the surface being treated. Waste produce during this
phase should be disposed of in a safe manner because it may contain viable pathogenic
agents that have the potential to spread infection if not controlled. After cleaning
procedures, any excess water should be drained before application of disinfectants.

Where treatment of water is required, the presence of suspended solids may also
reduce the capacity of some disinfectants. Removal of suspended solids through various
processes such as filtration, sedimentation, coagulation or flocculation should be required.

Biofilms, often referred to as slime, are a thin of microorganisms and extracellular

polymeric substances that adhere to surfaces. Biofilms physically protect embedded
microorganisms against disinfectants. In order to achieve effective disinfection, biofilms
should be removed during the cleaning and washing stage prior to the application of
disinfectants.

2. Application of disinfectants

This phase involves the application of chemical compounds or physical processes

that are appropriate to inactivate the target pathogenic agent.

The application of disinfectant should take into account the type of material requiring
disinfection and disinfectants should be applied. Hard non-permeable materials such as
polished metal surfaces, plastics and painted concrete can be cleaned thoroughly and allow
contact with the disinfectant because there is little opportunity for infective material to lodge
in crevices. Disinfection efficacy will decrease if the surface is corroded, pitted or paint is
flaking, so proper maintenance is essential.

The choice of the application method should ensure all surface come in contact with
the agent for the required period of time. The application of disinfectants should be
undertaken methodically to ensure that complete coverage and adequate contact times are
achieved. Each phase should start from the highest point and proceed downwards,
commencing from the least contaminated areas. When disinfectants are applied to vertical
surfaces, care should be taken to ensure that the required contact time is maintained before
the disinfectant drains away. Vertical surfaces may need retreatment on the addition of
compatible foaming agents to prolong adherence to surfaces.

3. Removal or inactivation of the disinfectant

Removal or inactivation of chemical residues is important to avoid toxicity to aquatic

animals. Process that may be employed for the removal or inactivation of chemical residues
may include: rinsing of surfaces, dilution to acceptable levels, treatment to inactivate

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chemical agents or, time to allow deactivation or dissipation of the active compound. These
processes may be used in isolation or in combination.

Types of disinfectants
1. Oxidizing agents

The majority of oxidizing agents are relatively fast acting and are effective
disinfectants for a large range of micro-organisms. These compounds are inactivated by
organic matter and therefore should be used following an effective cleaning stage. Organic
matter consumes oxidizing agents and the initial concentration (loading dose) may drop
rapidly, making effective dosing levels (residual dose) difficult to predict. Therefore, residual
dose levels should always be monitored to ensure that they remain above the minimum
effective concentration for the required time period. Oxidizing agents may be toxic to
aquatic animals and therefore should be removed or inactivated. Common oxidizing agents
include chlorine compounds, chloramine-T, iodophores, peroxygen compounds, chlorine
dioxide and ozone.

2. pH modifiers (alkali’s and acids)

Modification of pH can be achieved through the use of either alkaline or acidic

compounds. Advantages of using pH modifiers include the ease of determining their
concentrations and that they are not inactivated by organic matter. Also, they can be used
in areas where the application of other effective disinfectants is not possible, such as in
pipes or on biofilter surfaces.

3. Aldehydes

Aldehydes act by denaturing protein. Two aldehyde compounds that may be used
during decontamination of aquaculture establishments are formaldehyde and
glutaraldehyde. They are highly effective against a wide range of organisms but require
long exposure times. Aldehydes maintain their activity in the presence of organic matter
and are only mildly corrosive. Glutaraldehyde is used in the liquid form as a cold sterilant,
particularly for heat-sensitive equipment. Formaldehyde may be used as a mist or a gas for
fumigation.

4. Biguanides

Of the many biguanides available, chlorhexidine is the most commonly used.

However, they are not effective in hard or alkaline water and are less effective against
many pathogenic agents compared to other groups of disinfectants. These compounds are
comparatively non-corrosive and relatively safe, thus they are commonly used in the
disinfection of skin surfaces and delicate equipment.

5. Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs)

The biocidal efficacy of QACs is variable and selective. They are effective against
some vegetative bacteria and some fungi, but not all viruses. QACs are most active against
gram-positive bacteria; action against gram-negative bacteria is slow, with some strains
showing resistance. These compounds are not effective against spores. The advantages of
QACs are that they are noncorrosive and have wetting properties that enhance contact with
surfaces. QACs may be toxic to aquatic animals and should be removed from surfaces
following disinfection procedures.
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6. Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation

UV irradiation is a viable option for the treatment of water entering or leaving

aquaculture establishments where there is some control of water flows in recirculation or
flow-through systems. UV irradiation should be used following effective filtration because
suspended solids reduce UV transmission and the effectiveness of this method.

7. Heat treatment

Susceptibility of pathogenic agents to heat treatment varies significantly. Under most

conditions, moist heat is more effective than dry heat.

8. Combined disinfection methods

Combined disinfection methods should be considered wherever they are synergistic

and provide a higher assurance of effective pathogenic agent inactivation. Some examples
include:
a) direct sunlight and desiccation as a combined disinfection method provides three
potential disinfection actions, i.e. UV irradiation, heating and desiccation. It has no
operational cost and may be used subsequent to other methods;

b) ozone and UV irradiation are often combined in series as they provide back-up systems
and different modes of action. UV irradiation also has the advantage of removing ozone
residues from treated water.

Selection of a disinfectant
The disinfectant should be selected considering the following:
– efficacy against the pathogenic agents;
– effective concentration and exposure time;
– ability to measure efficacy;
– nature of the items to be disinfected and the potential for them to be damaged;
– compatibility with the available water type (e.g. fresh water, hard water or seawater);
– availability of the disinfectant and equipment;
– ease of application;
– the ability to remove organic matter;
– cost;
– impacts of residues on aquatic animals and the environment; and
– user safety.

What is it?

Disinfection is a structured process that uses physical and chemical procedures to

inactivate target pathogenic agents. The process should include planning and
implementation stages that take into account potential option, efficacy and risks. The
disinfection may vary depending on whether the overall objective is disease eradication or
disease control. Procedures addressing eradication will generally involve destocking of all
aquatic animals as well as disinfection of aquaculture establishments and equipment,
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whereas disease control aims at limiting the spread of disease between or within
aquaculture establishments.

The washing and disinfection procedures should at least include the following stages:
a) Removal of solid waste, etc., followed by prewashing,
b) Deep cleaning and washing,
c) Disinfection,
d) Rinsing.

What more?

Watch how cleaning is done in aquaculture facilities. Visit the link provided:

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkpjfaFcFpg

What I have learned?

LET US REMEMBER:

1. ___________ is commonly applied as disease management tool in aquaculture.

2. ___________ is often referred to as slime.

3. Formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde are examples of __________.

4. What is meant by “pathogenic agents”

5. A phase of disinfection wherein there is an application of disinfectants.

What I can do?

Answer the question briefly:

1. Why it is necessary to disinfect the tank and other aquaculture facilities?

Assessment 9
 Self Check:

Multiple choice: Choose the letter of the correct answer

1. What is the first step in tank preparation?

A. Stock fingerlings
B. Tanks are cleaned by scrubbing its walls and floors
C. Disinfect and dry the tank for 1 week
D. Fill the tank with the desired water level

2. In order to attain the success in intensive tank grow-out operation, the following should
be taken into consideration except ___________.
A. Tank design C. Water acidity
B. Electricity D. Aerators

3. Which of the following is not a pointer in preparing fish tanks?

A. Stock fingerlings
B. Use rounded corners to remove the death spot
C. Fill with water at the desired level
D. Set the mooring system

4. In preparing fish tanks, the bottom of the tanks is tapered by _________ towards the
drain so that the water are easily collected.
A. 15° B. 10° C. 20° D. 25°

5. How long do you have to disinfect and dry the tank?

A. 1 week B. 2 weeks C. 3 weeks D. 4 weeks

Additional activity

Activity Sheet 1.1

I. Directions: Make a plan for tank and pond culture (in blueprint).

Answer key 10
 Self Check:

1. B
2. B
3. B

References

Aquaculture methods and practices: a selected review. Retrieved at

www.fao.org/3/T8598E/t8598e05.htm. retrieved on September 9, 2020

Cardia, F. and Alesandro L. 2015. Aquaculture operations in floating HDPE cages. Food
and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Ministry of Agriculture in the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. pp. 176

http://online.anyflip.com/sonkk/mqzn/mobile/index.html

https://thefishsite.com/articles/tank-culture-of-tilapia#:~:text=Intensive%20tank%20culture
%20offers%20several,grown%20together%20to%20marketable%20size.&text=Intensive
%20tank%20culture%20can%20produce,on%20small%20parcels%20of%20land.

https://www.oie.int/fileadmin/Home/eng/Health_standards/aahm/
2009/1.1.3_DISINFECTION.pdf

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