Influence of tanks liner material on water quality and growth of Clarias gariepinus

Abstract

Three tank liner materials: polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene and polyester were evaluated in a 93 days experiment for their influence on culture water quality and growth performance of Clarias gariepinus. Fish of average weight of 5.03±0.21g were stocked at 375 per m³ in tanks lined with the aforementioned materials. Fish were hand fed twice a day. Growth performance and water quality parameters were measured using standard methods. Average temperature of 25.09±1.14^OC was recorded in the tanks. Dissolved oxygen with the highest mean value of 5.41±0.96 mg/l was recorded in polyethylene lined tanks while the highest mean alkalinity value of 110.38±2043mg/l was obtained in polyester lined tank .Fish cultured in PVC lined tanks recorded the highest mean daily growth rate of 4.87±3.87g while polyester lined tanks recorded the lowest mean value of daily growth rate of 2.95±2.08g. Highest mean food conversion ratio was recorded in PVC lined tanks with the value of 1.59±0.70. Highest mean weight of 22.59±1.56g was obtained in PVC lined tanks while the least mean weight of 15.41±1,11g was obtained in polyethylene lined tanks. Fish cultured in PVC lined tanks had better growth performance when compared to other tanks liner materials. It would be beneficial with respect to fish growth and culture water quality, to use polyvinylchloride materials in lining fish culture ponds and rearing tanks.

Keywords: Aquaculture, Liners, Fish Farming, Tank, Clarias gariepinus