During shrimp farming, farmers often focus on monitoring familiar indicators such as pH, oxygen, salinity... but easily overlook one very important parameter: alkalinity. In reality, alkalinity acts as a "shield" that protects the stability of the pond water environment. Neglecting or poorly controlling alkalinity can put the entire crop at high risk.
WHAT IS ALKALINITY AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Alkalinity is the total amount of ions capable of neutralizing acids in water, mainly including bicarbonate, carbonate, and hydroxide. This indicator helps stabilize pH, slowing pH fluctuations between morning and afternoon—especially in ponds with abundant algae.
- When alkalinity is below 60 mg/L, pH can drop sharply after rain, causing shrimp to shock.
- Conversely, if alkalinity is above 180 mg/L, the water is more likely to develop surface scum and bottom lime deposits, reducing mineral absorption efficiency and causing shrimp stress.
- The ideal alkalinity level ranges from 80–150 mg/L CaCO₃, helping shrimp stay healthy, the pond environment remain stable, and the microbial community develop well.
BENEFITS OF MAINTAINING STABLE ALKALINITY
- Keeping alkalinity stable brings many practical benefits:
- Limits pH fluctuations, reducing stress for shrimp
- Shrimp feed well and reduce feed refusal
- Microorganisms, especially bottom-treatment strains such as Bacillus and Pseudomonas, work more effectively
- Limits the formation of toxic gases (NH₃, H₂S)
- Balances the pond ecosystem, creating conditions for shrimp to grow quickly and steadily
SOME NOTES ON ALKALINITY MANAGEMENT
- To control alkalinity effectively, farmers should remember the following principles:
- After heavy rain, alkalinity should be remeasured immediately for timely adjustment, as rain often lowers alkalinity and pH.
- When using bottom-treatment probiotics, alkalinity should be at least 80 mg/L so the probiotics can achieve maximum effectiveness.
- Do not measure alkalinity immediately after applying lime or changing water, as the results may be inaccurate. Wait at least 2–4 hours before measuring.
- Develop the habit of recording measurement results along with weather, measurement time, and pond condition to more easily detect abnormal trends and handle them early.
CONCLUSION
Alkalinity is the foundation for the stability of shrimp ponds. Proper alkalinity control not only helps reduce risks but is also a sustainable way to save costs. In the context of rising production costs, caring for the pond environment through basic factors such as alkalinity is a smart solution for a successful crop.
✅ Vemedim recommends that farmers incorporate alkalinity measurement and adjustment into their daily management routine to optimize the use of probiotics and minerals, while also improving pond productivity.
T.N.T.D
Source: https://tepbac.com/
