Using greenhouse systems for aquaculture is an excellent choice.
Greenhouses can effectively regulate temperature, water quality, and other factors, providing a relatively stable and suitable environment for aquatic animals to thrive, ultimately increasing yield and economic income.
Common types of greenhouses, categorized by their covering material, include:
1. Plastic Film Greenhouses
2. Polycarbonate Panel Greenhouses
3. Glass Greenhouses
Each type has its unique features. Let’s give you a brief analysis of each:
1. Plastic Film Greenhouses
This is the most commonly used type in aquaculture.
Advantages:
• The low cost of plastic film is a major benefit.
• Easy and fast to install, allowing for quick and low-cost setup, saving significant time and resources.
Disadvantages:
• Plastic film has a relatively short lifespan, typically requiring replacement every 3-5 years.
• t is prone to damage and requires regular inspections, especially after storms. Damaged areas must be repaired promptly.
Despite its disadvantages, the benefits of plastic film greenhouses are more compelling.
The short lifespan isn’t too costly to replace, and repairs are easy and quick. As a result, plastic film greenhouses are still the most popular choice in aquaculture today.
In aquaculture, plastic film greenhouses typically come in forms such as single large arch greenhouses, connected multi-span greenhouses, and plastic film sunlight greenhouses.
With insulation covers at night, the single large arch and solar greenhouses maintain good heat retention.
Multi-span greenhouses, with modern connected designs, offer larger, more spacious interiors.
multi-span greenhouses and plastic film sunlight greenhouses
Plastic film greenhouse aquaculture
High-end plastic greenhouse
2. Glass Greenhouses
High-end, aesthetically pleasing, fully equipped greenhouse.
Advantages:
• Glass greenhouses have the highest light transmission.
• Allowing maximum sunlight to enter, which promotes photosynthesis in aquatic plants and algae, increasing dissolved oxygen in the water, and providing more oxygen for aquatic animals.
• Glass greenhouses use double-glazed, hollow glass, with materials designed to minimize heat transfer.
• This results in better insulation compared to plastic film, helping to maintain more stable water temperatures, which is essential for species requiring specific water temperature ranges.
• The aesthetic appeal of glass greenhouses is also quite high.
Disadvantages:
• The construction cost of glass greenhouses is significantly higher than plastic film and polycarbonate panel greenhouses due to the higher cost of glass and supporting structures.
As a result, glass greenhouses are primarily used in high-end agricultural zones, exhibitions, tourism, and research areas.
In aquaculture, they are less commonly used due to the higher costs compared to plastic film greenhouses.
Glass greenhouse
Glass greenhouse aquaculture
3. Polycarbonate Greenhouses
Polycarbonate greenhouses have become more popular in recent years.
The structure of a polycarbonate greenhouse is similar to that of a glass greenhouse,
But the glass covering is replaced with specialized polycarbonate panels.
Polycarbonate panels are more cost-effective and lightweight compared to glass, which also reduces the cost of the greenhouse frame.
Advantages:
• These greenhouses use hollow polycarbonate panels, which provide strong insulation, similar to glass greenhouses, helping to maintain water temperature and reduce heat loss.
• Although they don’t have quite as much light transmission as glass, they still meet the light needs for photosynthesis in aquaculture.
• Polycarbonate panels are stronger, offering excellent resistance to wind, snow, and impact, and they are more durable, with a lifespan of 10-15 years, which greatly reduces long-term operational costs.
Disadvantages:
• The material cost for polycarbonate panel greenhouses is higher, meaning the initial investment is also larger.
Cost Comparison
Glass Greenhouse > Polycarbonate Panel Greenhouse > Plastic Film Greenhouse > Simple Plastic Film Greenhouse
When choosing the right greenhouse for aquaculture, farmers need to consider factors such as budget, the environmental requirements of the aquaculture species, local climate, and the expected lifespan of the greenhouse.
If the budget is limited and the species don’t require strict temperature control, a plastic film greenhouse is a good choice, offering simplicity, low cost, and easy implementation.
For species with higher demands for light and temperature stability, and if the budget allows, a glass or polycarbonate panel greenhouse would be more suitable, offering a more aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting solution.
Choosing the right type of greenhouse and building one that meets your specific needs is the foundation for successful and high-yield aquaculture.
Feel free to contact us. We are professional greenhouse manufacturers, offering design, production, and installation services. We can help you save costs while building better and higher-standard greenhouses.
