EHP Infected Pond Preparation: Earthen Ponds

Earthen pondBothPond PrepDisease Recovery

What this protocol is for

This protocol prepares earthen ponds with a confirmed EHP (Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei) infection history for restocking. It uses a high-pH lime treatment followed by bioremediation to eliminate EHP spores. The acre version uses MinGroX in the final step. The hectare version uses MinGro.

Main Objective

Eliminate EHP spores and other pathogens using high-pH lime treatment and bioremediation before restocking.

When to use this protocol

Earthen ponds with EHP history, White Shrimp or Tiger Shrimp.

Important Notes

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Do not use antibiotics, disinfectants, pesticides, or herbicides. These will kill naturally occurring bacteria.
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Maintain high dissolved oxygen throughout.
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The acre version uses MinGroX. The hectare version uses MinGro. Both products follow the same application schedule.

Step by step instructions

Till soil and apply lime

Till the soil 10 cm deep. Apply 2 to 4 tonnes of burnt lime (CaO) per acre (or 5 to 10 tonnes per hectare). Fill to 50 cm. Target pH at or above 8.5, preferably 9. Leave for 5 to 7 days. Discharge water.

First bioremediation step

Fill to 30 cm. Apply SoilGro 800 g per acre (or 2 kg per hectare) with jaggery 8 kg per acre (or 20 kg per hectare). Aerate. Leave for 4 to 5 days.

Second bioremediation step

Top up by 30 cm. Apply SoilGro 800 g per acre (or 2 kg per hectare) with jaggery 8 kg per acre (or 20 kg per hectare). Aerate. Leave for 4 to 5 days. Discharge water.

Fill and second lime application

Fill to culture depth. Apply burnt lime at 800 kg per acre (or 2 tonnes per hectare). Target pH 8.3 to 8.4 at stocking.

Disinfection

Apply AlphaSep at 3 ppm. Leave for 2 days.

Mineral correction and pre-stocking check

If salinity is below 15 ppt, apply MinGroX at 8 kg per acre for 3 consecutive days. If using the hectare version, apply MinGro at 17 kg per hectare instead. Confirm Secchi disk reading is at or above 50 cm before introducing PLs.

Key parameters to monitor

Lime: soil treatment

2 to 4 tonnes per acre or 5 to 10 tonnes per hectare (CaO)

pH during lime phase

8.5 to 9

Lime: water treatment

800 kg per acre or 2 tonnes per hectare (CaO)

Target pH at stocking

8.3 to 8.4

AlphaSep

3 ppm, 2 days contact

Mineral correction trigger

Salinity below 15 ppt

MinGroX (acre version)

8 kg per acre for 3 days

MinGro (hectare version)

17 kg per hectare for 3 days

Secchi disk before PLs

at or above 50 cm

DO (pond bottom)

at least 3 to 4 ppm

Products used in this protocol

AlphaSep→MinGroX→SoilGro→MinGro→

Each product name links to its Blue Aqua product page for full specifications and purchasing.

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Related protocols

EHP Plastic-Lined Pond Protocol →Mineral Solution Protocol →