Germany-based supplier, WEDA, has developed a new feeding system that ensures optimal feed intake by optimizing the feeding times in fish farms. 

In current fish farming feeding systems, large quantities of feed are dispensed to the tanks at intervals by air pressure. However, this energy-intensive method has disadvantages: for example, it does not allow for longer, continuous feeding, the company explained. In addition, the air dosing systems can only feed at intervals of 10 to 15 minutes, because the predefined quantities per tank are dosed out one after the other. Conventional systems dispense large quantities of feed leading to feed losses, it said.

The new Opt.In-24 automated feeding system dispenses the feed evenly over 24 hours in fish tanks and ensures a balanced feed intake by optimizing the feeding times. The pellets remain intact which saves energy and improves fish feeding.

The integrated computer program “Excellent Fish” automatically weighs the exact amount of feed required and then doses and controls the speed of the dosing screws. These augers are located above the tank and dispense the feed at several points simultaneously and continuously. 

The advantages of the feeding system are simultaneous feeding of several tanks, optimal feed intake by adjusting feeding times with continuous slow feeding, less feed loss due to reduction of feed sinking, large energy savings and variable setting of feed quantities per defined time unit depending on the time of day, the company concluded.