• The quantity of tubes varies as per the aeration requirement. As a thumb rule you can consider 20 to 30 mtrs of AirOxi tube (regular size of 0.5” x 1”) per HP of blower used. This range is because deeper the installation of tube under the water, lesser the quantity per HP that you can use, due to the water head. The quantity is half for the large size 1”x 1.5” AirOxi tube.
• For a more accurate calculation, please visit the calculator page www.airoxi.com/calculator

For a more detailed calculation for your pond, visit www.airoxi.com/calculator.

Some guidelines are given here. Although the requirement is calculated in air flow in CFM or m3/hr, they are converted to HP of blower for ease of calculation. The conversion is based on average flow rate from root blower or double stage turbine blower.

However as a thumb rule – you can consider that for grow out ponds – use 1 HP of blower per 1 ton of shrimp biomass (Expected at time of harvest) and a similar quantity for bio-floc of shrimp. For nurseries, consider 0.02 HP of blower for every 1200 -1300 pieces of shrimp.

For Fish, you can consider 1 HP of blower size per 3 to 4 tons of fish biomass (depending on species) in grow out pond and biofloc. For RAS you can consider 1 HP of blower for 6 tons of fish biomass. Plus a separate blower for oxygenation tank.

To calculate the quantity of tubes, consider the water depth. For 4.5 feet of water depth, consider 25 mtrs of AirOxi tube per HP of blower. At 6 feet, consider 20 mtr of AirOxi tube per HP of blower. As the water depth increases, your blower size does not change for aeration required, but the quantity of tubes per HP of blower reduces. At more depths, we recommend that you use the calculator.

• Cost of the system varies widely depending on the type of application – nursery, grow out pond, RAS, bio-floc, raceway etc. And also on the species in the pond – shrimp, fish, algae etc. There are many factors determining the cost including pond size and water parameters. This is because for optimum calculation. However as thumb rule, you can consider about 1.6 lacs per hectare of pond. The cost of AirOxi tubes is usually only 20% of the entire system, the rest being the cost of the blowers, piping and installation.
• For a more accurate cost for your pond and to get the list of materials required, please visit the calculator page on www.airoxi.com/calculator

For aquaculture applications, the water depth is anywhere between 3 feet to 10 feet. Even for cage culture, water depth maybe more but AirOxi tubes are installed at around 10 feet below the surface of water. This is the biggest factor in deciding the type and size of blower.

The best blower for aquaculture use is a regenerative / root / twin / three lobe blower. The construction is heavy enough to give a flywheel type of effect and the air is able to push against the water pressure. Most root blowers are available for air flow of 150m3/hr (open condition) and above, which means they will need at least 3 HP motor.

For applications that need less air and you wish to use a smaller blower, nowadays 1 HP and above root blowers are also available.

The other option is to use a double stage turbine / ring blower. These provide better pressure than simple single stage turbine / ring blowers

Avoid – single stage ring / turbine blowers and diaphragm air pumps for use with AirOxi tubes, especially for more than 2 feet of water depth. They are small, light and convenient. But their pressure and air flow are suitable for use with small diffusers like air stones. Or where water pressure is not high, like in aquarium tanks.