Recirculation Systems

Centralised recirculating filtration systems, also known as RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture Systems) and LSS (Life Support Systems), are designed to deliver optimal, stable water parameters in order to promote healthy livestock. The overall concept has been developed over many years, through constant research and practical application. The concept is based on systematically filtering the water using a series of mechanical, biological, and chemical processes before delivering each individual livestock tank with an independent supply of clear, UV-treated water.

Apart from a high level of animal success, each of our systems will achieve excellent levels of cosmetic acceptance, coupled with a low labour requirement, and they can be installed within a few hours. With the use of nitrifying bacteria cultures the biological filter matures faster and the system can be up to full capacity within 8-10 days (depending on temperature and stocking levels), three times faster than normal. 

The design of each system follows a series of disciplines controlling flow rates and filter capacities, proportioned to the biological demands, including eventual population fluctuations, that are typical of a wide range of commercial applications. Applications include marine and freshwater fish hatcheries and nurseries, research and development projects, crustacean holding, shellfish depuration, and specialist aquatic displays.

The particular size and type of filtration package for a given application will depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the type of livestock being held, the total stocking density, the amount of food that is added to the system, and the temperature of the water.  Please contact us if you would like to discuss your requirements in more detail, or complete our online enquiry form, and a member of our team will be in touch.

System packages have been designed with as much flexibility as possible. Modifications and expansions are easy to achieve according to your own specific requirements and application. We are able to design custom-built systems and supply individual components for those just looking to extend or upgrade an existing filtration system.

Installation Tips

• Seal all threads into their respective ports using silicone aquarium sealer - this should be applied to male threads. 
• All individual pieces of equipment must be fitted with socket unions. This will enable simple maintenance of equipment and make the removal or replacement of any individual component easy. 
• Pump inlets should be positioned so that the water intake is taken from the lowest point of the reservoir. This prevents the likelihood of any air being drawn into the water pump, as the pump will compress the air and water mixture and rapidly cause air embolisms in the fish. 
• Bypass facilities should be fitted to UV sterilisers, cartridge filters, and other similar equipment to facilitate ease of maintenance without the need to stop the main tank flow.
• All plumbing must be of pure-grade plastics and of premium quality. We do not recommend the use of standard PVC or styrene for saltwater systems. If in doubt, please consult us.  All pipework and fittings in this catalogue are suitable for saltwater and freshwater use. 
• Although installation time may be increased it often pays to install the system 'dry' to start with, i.e. without gluing, as this will help to overcome any layout problems and prevent wastage of components. 
• During installation, it is important to remember that directional change of water through 90 bends and T's creates frictional reductions in flow rate, so care should be taken to minimise the number of such bends and wherever possible route water through T's directly rather than at 90.  
• All joints must be cleaned with pipe cleaner before gluing and must not be stressed whilst wet, i.e. do not pull, bend, or twist pipework until the cement is dry.
• Plastic pipework will not support itself, it should always be fixed to walls with the appropriate clips at recommended support intervals. 
• When plumbing is finished it should be left for 24 hours before filling with water and testing