Earthen Pond Preparation: White Shrimp

Earthen pondWhite ShrimpPond PrepPre-StockingStandard

What this protocol is for

This protocol covers standard preparation for earthen ponds stocked with White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Use it between crop cycles to clear pathogens, reset the pond environment, and prepare the pond for stocking. Most farms follow the MinGroX version. Some farms use MinGro at the same dose.

Main Objective

Eliminate pathogens and spent organic matter, establish a beneficial microbial environment, and bring the pond to safe stocking conditions.

When to use this protocol

Earthen ponds stocked with White Shrimp between production cycles.

Important Notes

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Do not use antibiotics, disinfectants, pesticides, or herbicides during culture. These will kill naturally occurring bacteria.
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Maintain high dissolved oxygen at all times.
!
Most farms follow the MinGroX version. Some farms use MinGro at the same dose. Confirm which product your farm uses before starting.

Step by step instructions

Full drainage and pond bottom preparation

Drain completely. Remove all sludge, uneaten feed, and debris. Sun dry for 7 to 10 days until surface cracks appear.

Lime treatment and pH elevation

Apply CaOH or CaO at 500 g per square metre. Fill to 50 cm. Target pH at or above 8.5, preferably 9. Leave for 3 days. Discharge water.

First bioremediation step

Fill to 30 cm. Apply SoilGro 400 g per acre (or 1 kg per hectare) with jaggery 8 kg per acre (or 20 kg per hectare). Aerate. Leave for 1 week. Watch for foam on the water surface.

Second bioremediation step

Top up by 15 cm. Apply SoilGro 400 g per acre (or 1 kg per hectare) with jaggery 8 kg per acre (or 20 kg per hectare). Aerate. Leave for 1 week. Discharge water.

Fill, disinfect, and mineral correction

Fill to 1.2 m. Apply AlphaSep at 3 ppm. After 2 days, apply MinGroX at 1 ppm for 3 consecutive days. If you are using the MinGro variant, apply MinGro at 1 ppm instead. Turn on paddlewheel aerators. Stock.

Key parameters to monitor

Sun-drying period

7 to 10 days until surface cracks form

Lime dose

500 g per square metre

pH during lime phase

8.5 to 9

AlphaSep

3 ppm

MinGroX or MinGro

1 ppm for 3 consecutive days

Water depth at stocking

1.2 m

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.

← Back to Standard Pond Preparation

Related protocols

EHP Earthen Pond Protocol →Phytoplankton Bloom for Initial Culture →Mineral Solution Protocol →