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Aquaculture

Your trusted partner for sustainable solutions for fish farming.

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Shaping the future of sustainable aquaculture

The aquaculture industry is rapidly transitioning towards sustainable practices, shifting from traditional open-water methods to controlled aquatic environments. GF Piping Systems is your trusted partner for innovative and responsible aquaculture solutions. With extensive experience in the field, we offer comprehensive piping, valve, and measurement systems, alongside expert services to support every phase of your project. Our global team empowers the fish farming industry with proven, sustainable technologies that optimize water resource usage, reduce carbon footprints, and minimize environmental impact. By leveraging our industry-leading welding machines and off-site fabrication capabilities, we meet the high demands of large-scale aquaculture projects, customized to meet your challenging specifications.

System Expertise

Facilitate constuction

GF Piping Systems is the only piping company in the aquaculture industry offering a complete range of products, advanced welding machines, and tailored off-site manufacturing services for efficient construction. Our state-of-the-art welding machines ensure reliable joints, even in large-diameter pipes with high wall thicknesses. Local training, annual service, and precise machine calibration further ensure optimal performance and longevity. Our extensive portfolio of PE couplers, saddles, and fittings, along with diverse pipe dimensions, provides maintenance-free connections with an expected lifespan of up to 120 years. We streamline construction, reduce downtime, and guarantee high-quality, reliable installations for efficient fish farm operations.

Ensure water quality

Maintaining optimal water quality is critical for the health of aquatic life and the operational efficiency of aquaculture systems. Accurate measurement and rapid response are essential to prevent waste accumulation, control algae growth, and mitigate oxygen stress. GF Piping Systems offers user-friendly solutions for accurately monitoring of key water quality parameters, resulting in reduced chemical use, improved water conditions, and significant cost savings. Trusted by aquatic life professionals worldwide, our sensors help sustain a balanced and healthy aquatic environment.

Save energy

 

Effective energy management is crucial in aquaculture to optimize operational costs and ensure sustainability. Continuous water circulation, aeration, and temperature control create significant energy demands. GF Piping Systems' solutions provide smooth inner surfaces with excellent flow rates and no deposits.  Our diaphragm valves have a significantly lower pressure loss, meaning savings in pumping energy. Our preinsulated COOL-FIT system minimizes the energy loss from the heated/cooled fluid. The longevity of our systems also contributes to improved economic efficiency and regulatory compliance via reduced maintenance and costly repairs.

By focusing on these practices, fish farms can promote fish health, reduce environmental impact, and achieve more sustainable and successful operations.

 

 

 

Control the flow

Efficient water circulation is vital in fish farming, and GF Piping Systems provides both manual and automated flow control solutions. Manual valves are commonly used in main lines, while automated valve systems are increasingly adopted in modern land-based fish farms for their precision, efficiency, and reliability. These systems regulate water flow, temperature, and oxygen levels in real-time, ensuring optimal conditions for fish health and growth. Automated valves reduce stress on fish, enhance production efficiency, cut labor costs, and enable real-time responses to issues, creating a stable and productive aquaculture environment.

Handle larger volumes

 

As the aquaculture industry evolves, there is an increasing demand for larger piping dimensions, especially for water intake and fish transport systems. This need extends to the massive dimensions required for floating enclosed farming concepts. Following the acquisition of Uponor in 2023, GF Piping Systems now offers industry-leading solutions, providing turn-key sea installations, custom-made chambers, and large diameter piping up to 3500mm diameter.

 

 

What Our Customers Say

Fabio Brambilla

Aquaculture Nutritionist, NaturAlleva

"In recirculating aquaculture systems, continuous monitoring of water parameters is crucial. It is important to use advanced sensors that transmit real-time data to our central system. This level of control not only ensures an optimal environment for the fish but also represents a true innovation in the industry. GF Solutions for Process Automation represented the best choice for our specific needs." 

schooling fish swim in circles in the ocean in search of prey

Success Stories

Revolutionating Italian Fishery

NaturAlleva SpA, Italy

NaturAlleva, part of the VRM Group, is transforming the Italian fishery supply chain through innovative recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). These cutting-edge systems enable sustainable freshwater and saltwater fish farming with minimal environmental impact, utilizing advanced filtration and monitoring technologies. Through strategic material selection and expert support from the Center of Excellence in Agrate Brianza, NaturAlleva integrates valves and instruments that comply with Industry 4.0 standards, significantly reducing energy and water consumption at their facilities.

Fish farming with the smallest possible foot print

Andfjord Salmon AS, Norway 

Andfjord Salmon AS, a Norwegian fish farming company, has the ambition to create a sustainable, environmentally and fish-friendly onshore facility – with the smallest possible footprint. This patented facility combines the best from both traditional ocean net-pens and land-based salmon farming. The intake and outfall lines are built with highly durable Weholite PE pipes and panels with a 100-year life span.
 

Innovations for Aquaculture

Fusion Machines

 

 

Joint quality is essential in aquatic life systems to prevent leaks and inhibit contamination. Our OMICRON welding machines ensure dependable jointing in circulating PE systems. For PVC piping, we are pioneers and market leaders in infrared fusion technology, offering unmatched reliability and precision.

 

 

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FAQs

What piping systems should be used for Aquaculture ?

In harsh aquatic environments, piping systems must withstand extreme conditions such as high humidity, salinity, and temperature fluctuations. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) piping is a preferred choice due to its corrosion resistance, flexibility, and durability in these environments. Additionally, pre-insulated piping systems like COOL-FIT are ideal for transporting heated or cooled fluids, offering superior thermal insulation and energy efficiency. These pre-insulated systems do not require additional working steps and feature a robust outer jacket that resists wear and tear, ensuring longevity in tough conditions. Also, as the insulation does not absorb moisture if can handle humid conditions.  PVC and polypropylene pipes are also suitable for aquaculture. They provide excellent chemical resistance and low maintenance requirements.

GF Piping system, with his superior material expertise, offer a wide range of solutions in various materials to meet specific process needs. Georg Fischer Piping is experienced in plastic systems since 1965. Our plastic systems, including piping, valves and  measurement solutions, are light in weight, corrosion free and designed to work long-term.  

Discover here more about our piping systems.

What actuators are better for Aquatic Life Support Systems installations?

For Life Support System (LSS) installations in aquaculture, the best actuators are typically pneumatic and electric actuators, each offering distinct advantages depending on system requirements:
Pneumatic Actuators are robust and reliable in harsh environments, such as aquaculture systems exposed to moisture and corrosive elements. They are ideal for fast, repetitive movements and can function in extreme conditions where electric actuators may be compromised. Pneumatic actuators are mainly used for open/close applications where the valves have normally many open/close cycles. The operating speed can be regulated using throttle valves on the exhaust air.

Electric Actuators are ideal for precise control, easy automation, and integration with centralized control systems. They are energy-efficient, reliable, and suited for applications requiring frequent adjustments, like regulating water flow and oxygen levels in LSS systems. You are not required to have a compressor system, and for cold systems, they are preferred over pneumatic actuation that could cause damage to the piping system if the PPA torque is too fast or hard.

It is recommended to speak to the GF LSS experts to discuss your specific application.

Read more here on our actuation possibilities.

Which valves are to be preferred for flow control in Aquaculture ?

Right valve selection for Life Support System (LSS) depends on your requirements. Butterfly valves are typical in large dimensions up to 1200 mm in diameter. Ball valves are also common for open- and close function.

Diaphragm valves are the preferred choice for flow requlation since they provide better flow control than ball valves. This precision is critical in LSS, where maintaining stable flow and water quality is essential for fish health. Diaphragm valves have a sealed design that isolates the valve mechanism from the fluid, reducing the risk of contamination. They are also a preferred choice for handling slurries and fluids with solids, which can clog or damage ball valves. The diaphragm valves from GF Piping Systems have a linear flow characteristic. This property allows the diaphragm valves to be regulated very precisely. Furthermore, diaphragm valves from GF Piping Systems have a significantly lower pressure loss, which means that pump energy is saved significantly.

Read here more about GF Piping system diaphragm valve offering. 

Can Dissolved Oxygen (DO) be measured in line in LSS?

GF Dissolved Oxygen (DO)  sensor can be mounted submersed or in line with our installation fittings. The sensor can be connected to the building automation system or to a local transmitter.

Download the GF M&C catalog to learn more

Can all the sensors of one system be connected to a local component to set a local alarm if a central BMS system is unavailable?

The GF 9950 six-channel transmitter allows for 6 relays for each sensor. This is a nice solution for the LSS that helps to save costs on the readouts while increasing the aquatic life safety. The set-up can serve as local back-up for the central system or as a stand-alone in smaller set-ups. 

Read more here about the GF 9950 six channel transmitter.

Which are the key methods to monitor water quality in an RAS?

Monitoring water quality in RAS (recirculating aquaculture system)  is essential. Key methods include:

  1. Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Monitoring
  2. pH Monitoring
  3. Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, CO2 Monitoring
  4. Temperature Monitoring
  5. Salinity Monitoring
  6. Flow Monitoring
  7. Tank level sensing
  8. Pressure Monitoring

These methods ensure optimal water conditions, promoting fish health, efficient biofiltration, and stable system performance.

GF piping Systems has over 60 years of experience in liquid analysis solutions for aquaculture. Read more here.

 

How to save energy in land based fish farming?

Aquaculture can be sustainable if it is practiced responsibly. This includes using sustainable feed, minimizing pollution, protecting habitats, and promoting biodiversity.

Especially land-based aquaculture, such as RAS (recirculating aquaculture system) technology is promoted for its sustainability. Compared to net-pen farming the emissions to natural waters are controlled. On the other hand, controlled system increases the energy demand.

Pumps and temperature controllers are among the biggest energy consumers in land-based aquaculture. Selection of piping systems can contribute to the energy efficiency. GF piping systems excel having smooth inner surfaces with low friction losses. Reduced flow resistance results in energy saving in long-term pumping operations. Additionally, pre-insulated piping systems like COOL-FIT are ideal for transporting heated or cooled fluids, offering superior thermal insulation and energy efficiency. These pre-insulated systems do not require additional working steps and feature a robust outer jacket that resists wear and tear, ensuring longevity in tough conditions. Also, the insulation does not absorb moisture if can handle humid conditions. Speak to our experts to learn more. 

Georg Fischer Piping Systems Ltd

Ebnatstrasse 111

8201 Schaffhausen

Switzerland

GF logo on the headquarters building