6 TYPES OF PONDS FOR FISH FARMING
Catfish farming is one of the most lucrative businesses anyone can start and make money.
If you decide to start a fish farm anytime, one of the major pieces of equipment you will need to raise your fish is a pond.
Most times, the types of ponds to raise fish have been a major cause of confusion for many fish farmers around the world.
In this article, I will be discussing the different types of ponds for fish farming with the advantages and disadvantages of each type of fish pond.
Choosing your preferred type of fish pond depends on some factors which might include but are not limited to: the money you have, the quantity of fish you wish to raise, location of your farm amidst others.
Learn MoreRead also: Fisheries management and ecosystem approach
WHAT IS A FISH POND?
A fish pond is a place where fish are kept and raised for personal consumption or commercial purpose.
According to Wikipedia, “A fish pond, or fishpond, is a controlled pond, artificial lake, or reservoir that is stocked with fish and is used in aquaculture for fish farming or is used for recreational fishing or ornamental purposes.
In the medieval European era, it was typical for monasteries and castles to have a fish pond”.
In the modern world, people have done research and have come up with different types of ponds that can be used to raise fish.
Read also: Impacts of climate change on fisheries
TYPES OF PONDS FOR FISH FARMING
1. Earthen Pond
First on the list of the types of ponds that are commonly used for raising catfish is the earthen pond.
An earthen pond is a near-natural habitation for fishes (catfish, tilapia, etc) like the river or stream. Although it is constructed to suit the design of the fish farmer, it is mostly constructed in the sloppy or waterlogged area to accommodate the fishes and make them have a natural feel when they are being raised
An earthen pond is an artificial dam, a reservoir constructed by digging a hole that should be at least 1.5 meters deep.
The process of constructing an earthen pond should be carried out by professionals who have been in the business of pond construction for a long time.
Factors To Consider Before Constructing An Earthen Pond
Before choosing to construct an earthen pond, there are 2 crucial factors you need to consider:
i. Location of the land: The first thing to consider before deciding to dig an earthen pond is the location and choice of the land that will be used.
One major key factor to choosing a land is that it must be in a place where there is natural water.
ii. Soil Type: The second factor to consider before building an earthen pond is the type of soil that will be used for construction. The best type of soil for the earthen pond is one that can hold water very well.
This can be clay soil or sandy clay soil.
Other factors to consider before constructing an earthen pond are soil permeability and soil texture.
Advantages Of Earthen Pond
- It is the most near-natural type of pond good for raising fish.
- Fishes tend to eat natural food like worms compared to other types of ponds.
- Fish grow faster in an earthen pond.
- It has a low maintenance cost
- It is easy to manage the water system in an earthen pond.
Disadvantages Of Earthen Pond
- It is very risky to control if there is a flood
- It requires more space to build an earthen pond
- It is difficult to know when there is an outbreak of diseases and more difficult to control.
- It is difficult to sort in an earthen pond which makes it easy for fish to eat each other (cannibalism)
2. Concrete pond
The second type of pond that can be used to raise fish is a concrete pond. This is very common for fish farmers to raise their fish, especially catfish.
A Concrete pond is using blocks, sands, and cement to build a habitation for you to raise your fish.
Constructing concrete ponds requires the help of experts compared to other types of ponds. This is so because any mistake in the construction of the pond can lead to leakages and it might cost more to repair than to construct another one.
One advantage of the concrete pond over the earthen pond is that it can be constructed anywhere eve in your house.
Factors to Consider Before Constructing A Concrete Pond
Location: This is not all a determinant of building a pond. You can build a concrete pond anywhere even in your backyard.
Drainage System: This is the second factor that is critical to constructing your concrete pond. A good drainage system where you will be disposing of the wastewater should be part of the planning process when you want to build a pond.
Cost: Setting up a concrete pond is the most expensive among all other types of ponds. You need to look at your pocket before choosing to construct a concrete pond.
Advantages Of Concrete Pond
- It can be constructed on any land
- A concrete pond is better to manage for younger fishes like fingerlings and juvenile
- It is easy to notice fish diseases and also control the diseases.
- A concrete pond cannot be affected by flood unlike the earthen pond
- The water system can easily be managed
- It last longer than other types of ponds if managed well
Disadvantages of Concrete Pond
- It is expensive to construct
- For you to successfully run a catfish farm, it requires a large amount of water to run a concrete pond
- If you don’t have where to dispose of the water, water waste can become a nuisance in the environment.
- The maintenance cost is very expensive
3. Tarpaulin Pond
The next type of pond that can be used for raising fish is the tarpaulin pond. This type of fish pond is the next common after earthen, concrete, and plastic pond.
It can be constructed with either wood or galvanized pipes and then covered with a tarpaulin. Tarpaulin pond comes in different sizes and colors.
One of the advantages of tarpaulin pond over the other types of ponds is that is easy to set up.
Factors To Consider Before Setting Up A Tarpaulin Pond
Space – Although you don’t need so much space to put up a tarpaulin pond, regardless, you need to make sure that wherever your pond will be, it is free from obstacles that could tear the tarpaulin
Cost – If you want to fish on a large scale, it is advisable not to use a tarpaulin pond because, in the long run, you will spend more on setting it up compared to if you use a concrete pond or an earthen pond.
Quality – Another factor to consider before deciding to buy a tarpaulin is quality. If you are going to be buying equipment that will cost you money, you need to be very particular about the quality.
You don’t want a situation where you buy the tarpaulin today, stock it with fishes and in less than a month it has started tearing up. Consult with professionals that know about the best tarpaulin to use and get it from them so you don’t lose money.
Advantages Of Tarpaulin Pond
- It is cost-effective compared to a concrete pond
- It is easy to set up
- Tarpaulin ponds are easily moveable
- Tarpaulin ponds do not require a lot of space.
Disadvantages Of Tarpaulin Pond
- It can easily tear
- Because of its flexibility, heavy wind, rain/flood can quickly destroy the pond
- Tarpaulin ponds can be disassembled and stolen easily
Read also: Fish farming in Nigeria: 4 facts you should know
4. Plastic Or Rubber Pond
The fourth type of fish pond is the plastic pond. Plastic ponds are like tarpaulin ponds except that they are plastic.
This type of pond is common for beginners in fish farming. One of the benefits of the plastic pond (just like the tarpaulin pond) is that it is easy to set up. One amazing thing about the plastic pond is that you can turn the old overhead tank into ponds that can be used to raise catfish.
Factors To Consider Before Buying A Plastic Pond
Space – You only require a small space to put your plastic
Quantity – When you are just starting fish farming and you want to use a plastic pond (which is advisable), the number of ponds you will buy should be considered depending on the number of fish you will be in there.
Cost – Sometimes if you don’t have enough money with you, it is not advisable to buy a lot of plastic ponds for raising the fishes.
Advantages Of Plastic Ponds
- It is easily movable
- They are good for hatchling and raising to fingerlings/juvenile
- They can be used to raise catfish indoor
- They are cost-effective
- Plastic ponds are easy to maintain
- Plastic ponds do not have any economic effect on the environment
Disadvantages Of Plastic Ponds
- If you are raising a large number of fishes, you will spend more money to buy the number of plastic that will contain the fishes
- If the plastics are put in an open space, too much sun can affect the durability of the plastic
5. Fiberglass Tanks
The next type of pond is the fiberglass tank. This type of fish pond is not commonly used to raise catfish.
Fiberglass tanks are transparent tanks used under a controlled temperature (most time indoor) before they are being transferred to open space.
Advantages Of Fiberglass Tanks
- They are easy to set up
- They are movable
- Using a fiberglass tank to raise fishes, you can easily manage the activities of the fishes because it is transparent.
Disadvantages Of Fiberglass Tanks
- It can be easily damaged
- Fiberglass can be expensive to purchase depending on your location
- You need to employ the service of experts to install a fiberglass tank (which can be expensive)
6. Cage Or Pen Ponds
The other type of pond for fish farming is called the cage pond. This type of pond is always constructed inside freshwater.
Cage tanks are always constructed in the middle of oceans and large quantities of water. They are held and surrounded by pegs.
Advantages Of Cage Or Pen Tanks
- Fish tend to eat natural feed as they are raised in oceans (their natural habitation)
- You can stock as many as the number of fishes that you want
- Fishes raised in this type of pond tend to grow faster
Disadvantages Of Cage Or Pen Tanks
- Water pollution can happen which can make you lose all your fish
- Poaching can occur in this type of pond
- Requires tight security for you to succeed in raising fishes with this type of pond
CONCLUSION
There are other things you need to start a fish farm business, but ponds are as important as the other requirements of fish farming.
The choice of the types of ponds you decide you use in your farm will depend on your location, amount, the quantity of fish you wish to raise, and so on.
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