Selectors for Automatic Feeding Systems used in Aquaculture in Land, Sea and RAS Fish Farms
The selector is one of the key elements of a centralized feeding system. It distributes the feed to different tanks or cages of a fish farm, on land or at sea.
Each selector is made up of a number of outlets equal to the number of spots to be fed at the farm.
The selector outlet is connected to each tank or cage with a HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) pipe, used to transport the feed from the selector to the tank.
Recommendations for the installation of the pipes to guarantee a correct distribution of the feed in the tanks:
- The pipe must have a sufficient section to minimize the loss of load and to prevent the feed deterioration due to high speed.
- The diameter of the pipe to be used in each feeding system depends on the size of the feed, the dose and the feeding distance.
- Avoid sharp curves by its installation, the pipes should be placed as straight as possible.
Types of Selectors used in aquaculture
- REVOLVER selector: a system with outlets placed in a circle. Each outlet is selected by gearmotor.
- MATRIX selector: It is a system invented by FishFarmFeeder. The outlets are placed in a form of matrix whereby outlet selection is supported by two servo motors, one on the X axis and the other on the Y axis.
Advantages of the MATRIX vs REVOLVER Selector in Automatic Feeding Systems
These are the main advantages of the Matrix-style selectors:
- GREATER NUMBER OF TANKS SUPPLIED BY SELECTOR: Taking a pipe diameter of 32 mm as a reference, by revolver system we would be limited to 60 outlets, while in a matrix system we would have 180 outlets at the disposal.
- LESS SPACE NEEDED: The matrix designed selector requests less space. Apart of that it provides greater robustness.
- FASTER FEEDING: The movement between outlets (from tank to tank) in the revolver system is rotary. In the matrix selector it runs on the X axis, on the Y axis or diagonally (at the same time on the X and Y axis). Thanks to this technology, a movement speed between outlets is 3 times faster than by rotary-format selector.
- LESS MAINTENANCE REQUIRED: Matrix selector is made of AISI316 Stainless Steel and with high quality components. Therefore it only needs to be greased according to the maintenance book.
- VALID FOR A LARGE SCALE OF FEED SIZE: Matrix selector outlets start by 20 mm diameter, which allow feeding micro diets from 300 microns.
Examples of Matrix Selectors
High Density Polyethylene Pipes (PADS)
| Diameter (mm) | Distance (m) | |
|---|---|---|
| Hatchery | 20-25 | 100 |
| Pre-grow | 32-40 | 400 |
| Ongrowing | 50-63-75-90-110 | 800 |
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