The start-up Aquapurna breeds tropical saltwater prawns in Wunstorf, near Hanover – sustainably, using resource-efficient recirculating aquaculture. The challenge: pump technology that ensures the rearing water remains crystal-clear and free of pathogens at all times. SPECK supplies magnetically coupled and corrosion-resistant pumps for all recirculating systems.
Background
Enjoy prawns – without feeling guilty
Global consumption of fish and seafood is on the rise, with prawns proving particularly popular. Whilst backpacking through India, the founders, Florian Gösling and David Gebhard, realised that prawn farming needed to undergo fundamental changes in terms of animal welfare, quality and the environment. Aquapurna was founded in 2020.
The start-up develops automated, digitalised aquaculture applications with a focus on sustainable rearing in recirculating aquaculture systems. At its own in-house hatchery in Wunstorf, Aquapurna breeds its own larvae and genetic lines – rather than importing them, as is usually the case. This process is unique in Germany to date.
„Given our staff’s many years of positive experience with SPECK’s products and service, it was clear to us from the outset that we would use SPECK pumps exclusively.“
David Gebhard
Aquapurna
Implementation
Stress-free rearing in a closed-loop system
The rearing process takes around four months – and the prawns are not handled at any stage throughout their entire life cycle. The technology is based on automated, slow and therefore stress-free processes. A key factor here is a technique that ensures the water remains crystal-clear and free from pathogens at all times.
In its rearing cycles, Aquapurna uses 98 per cent recirculated water, which is treated mechanically and biologically – one of the most efficient and resource-conserving processes available. Industrial waste heat, which would otherwise be lost, further reduces energy consumption.
Technology and Products
From circulation to the protein skimmer
Three seal-less, magnetically coupled BADU Delta-MK 16 pumps are in use for the three saltwater recirculation systems – low power consumption, high efficiency, extremely quiet operation. In a larger system with a 2 per cent salinity at 29 °C, two BADU Block Multi Mar 100/250 pumps act as redundant main circulation pumps, handling up to 200 m³/h. One BADU 21-81 and one 21-41 act as feed and injector pumps, respectively, for the protein skimmer, which removes dissolved proteins and ultrafine particles from the water using fine air/ozone bubbles – ensuring consistently high water quality.
Sealless pump for saltwater pools Extension of the quiet BADU Delta series
Detailed characteristics, dimensional drawings, and the various material combinations can be found in our design program at speck-select.com
Result
Crystal-clear rearing water for sustainable prawns
Parties involved
Reaching our goal with the right partners
From its own hatchery right through to the ‘Gamba Zamba’ product, Aquapurna relies on sustainable technology – with SPECK as its pump partner.
Aquapurna
Founded in Wunstorf (Lower Saxony) in 2020, the start-up develops automated and digitalised aquaculture applications with a focus on the sustainable rearing of tropical saltwater prawns in recirculating aquaculture systems. An international team of experts operates several research and development centres across an area of around 1,000 m². The aim is to develop cost-effective technology for land-based aquaculture.
Contact
Are you planning an aquaculture facility?
Our team will support you every step of the way, from the design stage right through to finding the right pump solution – one that is efficient, corrosion-resistant and reliable for sensitive circulation systems.
Thorsten Test
Test Rolle
References
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