Aquaculture, the cultured production of fish, is growing at a rapid pace worldwide. The industry is generating approximately 140,000 cubic meter wastewater per year. For this industry to flourish, viable methods for treating the resulting waste stream must be identified. The various methods were tried by many researchers like sand filtration method, recirculating aquaculture system, intermittent filtration methods. The most of the industries use sand filtration methods for treating aquaculture wastewater and the problems associated: the reduction in hydraulic conductivity, accumulation of solid due to which anaerobic conditions developed. This study investigated possible treatment technologies for wastewater and sludge produced from Blue Ridge Aquaculture (BRA), an indoor, recirculating aquaculture facility where tilapias (Oreochromis) are raised. Research focused on the use of vermicomposting in conjunction with sand bed filtration to filter aquaculture waste and treat the resulting solids. Two experiments were conducted: a feedstock acceptability test and a filter bed test. The feedstock acceptability test evaluated the suitability of the fish sludge (mixed with cardboard) as a feedstock for the worms involved in the vermicomposting process. The results showed that as the percentage of fish sludge in the feed increased from 0 to 50%, there was a corresponding increase in the growth rate of E.fetida biomass. The filter bed test appraised the feasibility and effectiveness of incorporating vermicomposting in sand filter beds to directly treat aquaculture wastewater. Popular in early wastewater treatment systems, sand filtration has seen a resurgence in recent years. To test the potential for even more effective filtration, sixteen sand filter beds were established--twelve that included worms and four that did not. Wastewater (1.5 % total solids) from BRA was applied to the sand beds at loading rates of 400 to 1000 grams of volatile solids/m2/week. Filter beds containing worms exhibited no ponding over the 70-day experimental period. However, all units without worms failed (exhibited ponding) by the 24th day of operation. Removal efficiencies obtained from the filter bed study for total solids (TS), volatile solids (VS), total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total phosphorus (TP), sulfate, chlorides, and ammonia-N were greater in filter beds with worms than beds without worms. The worms were crucial to maintaining porosity in the filter beds, hence keeping the filters functioning over time. Worm filter beds removed approximately 100% of the TS, VS, TSS and Ammonia-N, 90% of the TP, 50% of the chlorides, 80% of the sulfate and 70% of the COD. Maximum hydraulic conductivity of 35 cm/day was achieved at the maximum application rate. All the worm filter beds therefore had greater hydraulic conductivity than filter beds without worms. The potential impact is to treat the wastewater effectively, to increase the flow of water, and may be to maintain the aerobic conditions on the worm filterbeds. / Master of Science

The crisis of the water resources become a serious problem in recent years. Besides the global warming the problem mostly comes from quick population growth, intense industrial developments and low efficiency agricultural implementations. Biofilters are widely been used to either reduce pollution loads or also as a water conservation tool. And the vertical-flow biofilters act as a kind of bio-filter has gain the advantages of low maintenance, small footprint, greater capacities on both the hydraulic and organic loadings. It often used in to treat aquaculture wastewater for recycling during the filter stage. This study is, therefore, focusing on the bio-treatment processes to recycle the wastewater discharged from Chlorella production. Preserving water resources is one big issue of this study, Reuse the nutrients is another tough objective. For reusing the water with as much nutrients as possible and get the organic content off the water is the major target of the study. This study has been separated in two stages. A preliminary study has first been carried out in order to understand the Chlorella behaviors in more detail. Second phase includes the treatment tests with conventional activated sludge (AS) method and the bio-filters. The results have shown that ammonia is preferred by Chlorella as the nitrogen source. Light plays an important role on the treatment for removing algae activities. Aerobic digestion has shown better efficiency. AS can accept as high as 20% of daily input to the system volume, the system is not capable to bear more. While the biofilters, using either zeolite and LECA as the media, have shown satisfied results. When the hydraulic loading stay between 0.30 ~ 2.09 m3 m-2 day-1 to the system, the SS, COD, Chl-a removal rates can reach 90%, and more than 96% of total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) and 76% phosphorus can be preserved in the recycled water, respectively.

Algae are a diverse group of simple organisms that lack roots, stems or leaves and are able to use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and nutrients to produce complex compounds, such as carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. These compounds, especially lipids, are highly sought-after by agricultural, nutraceutical and energy interests. Although there is great potential for algae derived biofuels, there are technical and economic challenges associated with their cultivation. Relevant to this dissertation, the environmental impacts associated with algae cultivation can be reduced by using municipal and agricultural wastewaters as a water and nutrient source. This research was divided into three sections to address current challenges in the algal industry and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. The sections were: 1) examination of the growth of indigenous algae on wastewater (centrate) produced from dewatering anaerobically digested municipal sludge, 2) examination of the effect of non-axenic conditions on the growth of three different algal cultures using wastewater from a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), and 3) using wastewater treatment and algae to increase scientific inquiry in authentic science research with high school students. In the first section, indigenous algae were cultivated on centrate under natural light conditions in a semi-continuous photobioreactor. A non- linear bio-optical model was developed considering Michaelis-Menten photosynthesis-irradiance response. The bio-optical model was applied to fit the cumulative biomass data and had an R-squared value of 0.96. The second section examined the growth and accumulation of storage product. Higher calorific values were observed for all algae cultures when grown under non-axenic conditions, most likely due to significantly higher lipid contents. Significantly higher algal lipid contents under non-axenic conditions may be attributed to the stress of the presence of RAS microorganisms. Finally, having a university-based algal project with involvement of University of South Florida (USF) researchers, teachers and high school (HS) students facilitated increased scientific understanding and skills among HS students. Outcomes included graduate students gaining greater in-depth practical understanding as these students had to learn skills, such as designing a photobioreactor and then immediately had to teach HS students how to construct photobioreactors, design and conduct experiments, and gather scientific data. HS students gained a greater understanding of biological and chemical processes, such as photosynthesis. In addition, they learned important skills, such as calculating means and standard deviations using Excel, orally communicating scientific concepts and preparation of a PowerPoint presentation.

O intenso desenvolvimento da aquacultura tem sido acompanhado de um aumento nos impactos ambientais causados por esta atividade. As descargas de efluentes da aquacultura em ecossistemas aquáticos são uma fonte de deterioração da qualidade ambiental e podem causar eutrofização. O presente trabalho investigou e avaliou o desempenho de um sistema de tratamento e recirculação de efluentes de aquacultura em relação à sua eficiência em manter e restaurar os parâmetros de qualidade da água em níveis adequados ao ciclo produtivo, considerando as implicações desta técnica na conservação dos recursos hídricos. O experimento foi conduzido em dois sistemas funcionando paralelamente, simulando situações com e sem tratamento e recirculação de efluentes. Os sistemas aquícolas, em escala experimental, foram compostos pelos tanques e pelas unidades de tratamento e recirculação. Os tanques de cultivo foram povoados com juvenis de tilápia-do-Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus). Os sistemas sem recirculação e com recirculação receberam, respectivamente, 65 indivíduos (biomassa total inicial = 477g) e 64 indivíduos (biomassa total inicial = 491g). O sistema de tratamento e recirculação de efluentes foi composto por um filtro biológico de leito flutuante granular (floating beads biofilter) e duas colunas de aeração, com diferentes meios de preenchimento. Ao longo dos seis meses de experimento foram medidos os principais parâmetros de qualidade da água para a aquacultura e para a estimativa do funcionamento e desempenho do sistema de tratamento e recirculação de efluentes. O desempenho zootécnico obtido nos tanques foi também avaliado e comparado. Análise de variância (ANOVA) foi utilizada para comparar os dados. Na comparação entre a água de cultivo dos tanques, os seguintes parâmetros apresentaram um valor mais elevado (p<0,05) para o sistema com recirculação: nitrato, carbono orgânico total, fosfato, cloreto, sulfato e condutividade. A água de cultivo do tanque sem recirculação apresentou maiores valores de nitrogênio amoniacal, sólidos suspensos e turbidez (p<0,05). As duas colunas de aeração usadas no experimento não apresentaram diferenças significativa entre si (p>0,05), apresentando uma eficiência de aeração de 67%. O sistema com recirculação foi caracterizado por um uso semanal de água significativamente menor (p<0,05), utilizando apenas 36% do volume de água que foi necessário para o tanque sem recirculação. Indícios de nitrificação foram identificados em ambos os sistemas, porém este processo apresentou uma importância maior sobre a qualidade da água no sistema com recirculação e filtro biológico. O sistema com recirculação produziu efluentes (através da retrolavagem do filtro) mais concentrados (p<0,05) em relação a nitrato, alcalinidade, carbono orgânico total, fosfato, sólidos suspensos e dissolvidos, cloreto, sulfato, condutividade. Em relação à carga de resíduos lançada ao ambiente, o sistema sem recirculação obteve valores maiores (p<0,05) de nitrogênio amoniacal, nitrato, carbono orgânico total, fosfato, sólidos suspensos, sólidos dissolvidos, fluoreto, cloreto e sulfato. Para os demais parâmetros, não houve diferenças significativas quanto à carga de resíduo do efluente produzido (p>0,05). Não houve diferenças significativas entre os dois sistemas comparados (p>0,05) quanto ao ganho de peso das tilápias durante o período de avaliação do desempenho zootécnico. A partir da biomassa total de peixes produzida nos dois tanques durante todo o período experimental calculou-se que o sistema sem recirculação fez uso de 4053 litros de água para cada kg (L/kg) de peixe produzido e o sistema com recirculação usou 1129 L/kg. O sistema de aquacultura com recirculação estudado, construído a partir de materiais nacionais e de baixo custo, obteve êxito como forma de criação de peixes, oferecendo uma significativa redução no volume de água usado e na carga de alguns resíduos em seus efluentes, quando comparado a técnicas convencionais de aquacultura. Apesar de haver significativas necessidades de aprimoramento do protótipo usado e de estudos complementares em relação ao assunto tendo em vista a realidade brasileira, principalmente contemplando a sua viabilidade econômica em diferentes cenários, o experimento conduzido oferece subsídios para o desenvolvimento da tecnologia de aquacultura com recirculação em âmbito nacional. / The active aquaculture growth that has been observed over the last few decades has been accompanied by important environmental impacts. One main concern is the discharge of aquaculture effluents in aquatic systems. Since these effluents contain nutrients, their discharge can contribute to the eutrophication of the receiving water bodies. The present work describes an investigation in which the aquaculture effluent was treated and recycled back to the system. The treatment process was evaluated with respect to its capability to remove contaminants and restore water quality to levels that were adequate to the fishing productive cycle. Such a system can contribute to the conservation of water resources by saving water and discarding fewer pollutants. The experiment was conducted in two pilot systems working in parallel, simulating fish culture processes with and without effluent treatment and recycling. The culture tanks were populated with Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The systems with and without recirculation were populated with 65 (initial total biomass = 477g) and 64 (initial total biomass = 491g) individuals, respectively. The effluent treatment and recirculation system were composed by a floating bead biofilter and two natural aeration columns, each filled with different media. The experiment was conducted along six months, during which the systems were monitored for water quality parameters and zootechnical performance. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare data collected in the culture tanks. The following parameters presented a higher value (p<0.05) in the recirculation system: nitrate, total organic carbon, phosphate, chloride, sulfate and conductivity. Culture water without recirculation presented higher values for total ammonia nitrogen, suspended solids and turbidity (p<0.05). The two aeration columns used in the experiment had about 67% aeration efficiency. Water use in the recirculation system was significantly lower (p<0.05) than the system without recycling, using just 36% of the water needed by the latter. Nitrification occurred in both systems, but had greater importance in the process with recycling and biological filtration. Filter backwashing from the recirculating system produced effluent that was more concentrated (p<0.05) than the system without recycling with respect to nitrate, alkalinity, total organic carbon, phosphate, suspended and dissolved solids, chloride, sulfate and conductivity. On the contrary, the residue loads discharged from the system without recirculation were higher (p<0.05) for total ammonia nitrogen, nitrate, total organic carbon, phosphate, suspended and dissolved solids, fluoride, chloride and sulfate. For the remaining parameters, no significant difference in the residue loads of the two systems was observed (p>0.05). One important observation was that no significant difference occurred between the two systems (p>0.05) regarding tilapia weight gains in the experimental period. Based on the fish biomass growth and water use measured on both systems, it was calculated that the system without recirculation used 4053 liters of water per each kg of produced fish. On the other hand, the system with recirculation used 1129 liters per kg. Considering the outlined results, it was concluded that the recirculating aquaculture system, built with simple and low cost national material, was successful with respect to fish cultivation, water use reduction, and effluent residue load discharges when compared with the conventional aquaculture technique. Despite the required refinements of the tested prototype, especially regarding scale and economic viability in different scenarios, it offers subsidies to the advance of the recirculating aquaculture technology at the national level.

O intenso desenvolvimento da aquacultura tem sido acompanhado de um aumento nos impactos ambientais causados por esta atividade. As descargas de efluentes da aquacultura em ecossistemas aquáticos são uma fonte de deterioração da qualidade ambiental e podem causar eutrofização. O presente trabalho investigou e avaliou o desempenho de um sistema de tratamento e recirculação de efluentes de aquacultura em relação à sua eficiência em manter e restaurar os parâmetros de qualidade da água em níveis adequados ao ciclo produtivo, considerando as implicações desta técnica na conservação dos recursos hídricos. O experimento foi conduzido em dois sistemas funcionando paralelamente, simulando situações com e sem tratamento e recirculação de efluentes. Os sistemas aquícolas, em escala experimental, foram compostos pelos tanques e pelas unidades de tratamento e recirculação. Os tanques de cultivo foram povoados com juvenis de tilápia-do-Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus). Os sistemas sem recirculação e com recirculação receberam, respectivamente, 65 indivíduos (biomassa total inicial = 477g) e 64 indivíduos (biomassa total inicial = 491g). O sistema de tratamento e recirculação de efluentes foi composto por um filtro biológico de leito flutuante granular (floating beads biofilter) e duas colunas de aeração, com diferentes meios de preenchimento. Ao longo dos seis meses de experimento foram medidos os principais parâmetros de qualidade da água para a aquacultura e para a estimativa do funcionamento e desempenho do sistema de tratamento e recirculação de efluentes. O desempenho zootécnico obtido nos tanques foi também avaliado e comparado. Análise de variância (ANOVA) foi utilizada para comparar os dados. Na comparação entre a água de cultivo dos tanques, os seguintes parâmetros apresentaram um valor mais elevado (p<0,05) para o sistema com recirculação: nitrato, carbono orgânico total, fosfato, cloreto, sulfato e condutividade. A água de cultivo do tanque sem recirculação apresentou maiores valores de nitrogênio amoniacal, sólidos suspensos e turbidez (p<0,05). As duas colunas de aeração usadas no experimento não apresentaram diferenças significativa entre si (p>0,05), apresentando uma eficiência de aeração de 67%. O sistema com recirculação foi caracterizado por um uso semanal de água significativamente menor (p<0,05), utilizando apenas 36% do volume de água que foi necessário para o tanque sem recirculação. Indícios de nitrificação foram identificados em ambos os sistemas, porém este processo apresentou uma importância maior sobre a qualidade da água no sistema com recirculação e filtro biológico. O sistema com recirculação produziu efluentes (através da retrolavagem do filtro) mais concentrados (p<0,05) em relação a nitrato, alcalinidade, carbono orgânico total, fosfato, sólidos suspensos e dissolvidos, cloreto, sulfato, condutividade. Em relação à carga de resíduos lançada ao ambiente, o sistema sem recirculação obteve valores maiores (p<0,05) de nitrogênio amoniacal, nitrato, carbono orgânico total, fosfato, sólidos suspensos, sólidos dissolvidos, fluoreto, cloreto e sulfato. Para os demais parâmetros, não houve diferenças significativas quanto à carga de resíduo do efluente produzido (p>0,05). Não houve diferenças significativas entre os dois sistemas comparados (p>0,05) quanto ao ganho de peso das tilápias durante o período de avaliação do desempenho zootécnico. A partir da biomassa total de peixes produzida nos dois tanques durante todo o período experimental calculou-se que o sistema sem recirculação fez uso de 4053 litros de água para cada kg (L/kg) de peixe produzido e o sistema com recirculação usou 1129 L/kg. O sistema de aquacultura com recirculação estudado, construído a partir de materiais nacionais e de baixo custo, obteve êxito como forma de criação de peixes, oferecendo uma significativa redução no volume de água usado e na carga de alguns resíduos em seus efluentes, quando comparado a técnicas convencionais de aquacultura. Apesar de haver significativas necessidades de aprimoramento do protótipo usado e de estudos complementares em relação ao assunto tendo em vista a realidade brasileira, principalmente contemplando a sua viabilidade econômica em diferentes cenários, o experimento conduzido oferece subsídios para o desenvolvimento da tecnologia de aquacultura com recirculação em âmbito nacional. / The active aquaculture growth that has been observed over the last few decades has been accompanied by important environmental impacts. One main concern is the discharge of aquaculture effluents in aquatic systems. Since these effluents contain nutrients, their discharge can contribute to the eutrophication of the receiving water bodies. The present work describes an investigation in which the aquaculture effluent was treated and recycled back to the system. The treatment process was evaluated with respect to its capability to remove contaminants and restore water quality to levels that were adequate to the fishing productive cycle. Such a system can contribute to the conservation of water resources by saving water and discarding fewer pollutants. The experiment was conducted in two pilot systems working in parallel, simulating fish culture processes with and without effluent treatment and recycling. The culture tanks were populated with Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The systems with and without recirculation were populated with 65 (initial total biomass = 477g) and 64 (initial total biomass = 491g) individuals, respectively. The effluent treatment and recirculation system were composed by a floating bead biofilter and two natural aeration columns, each filled with different media. The experiment was conducted along six months, during which the systems were monitored for water quality parameters and zootechnical performance. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare data collected in the culture tanks. The following parameters presented a higher value (p<0.05) in the recirculation system: nitrate, total organic carbon, phosphate, chloride, sulfate and conductivity. Culture water without recirculation presented higher values for total ammonia nitrogen, suspended solids and turbidity (p<0.05). The two aeration columns used in the experiment had about 67% aeration efficiency. Water use in the recirculation system was significantly lower (p<0.05) than the system without recycling, using just 36% of the water needed by the latter. Nitrification occurred in both systems, but had greater importance in the process with recycling and biological filtration. Filter backwashing from the recirculating system produced effluent that was more concentrated (p<0.05) than the system without recycling with respect to nitrate, alkalinity, total organic carbon, phosphate, suspended and dissolved solids, chloride, sulfate and conductivity. On the contrary, the residue loads discharged from the system without recirculation were higher (p<0.05) for total ammonia nitrogen, nitrate, total organic carbon, phosphate, suspended and dissolved solids, fluoride, chloride and sulfate. For the remaining parameters, no significant difference in the residue loads of the two systems was observed (p>0.05). One important observation was that no significant difference occurred between the two systems (p>0.05) regarding tilapia weight gains in the experimental period. Based on the fish biomass growth and water use measured on both systems, it was calculated that the system without recirculation used 4053 liters of water per each kg of produced fish. On the other hand, the system with recirculation used 1129 liters per kg. Considering the outlined results, it was concluded that the recirculating aquaculture system, built with simple and low cost national material, was successful with respect to fish cultivation, water use reduction, and effluent residue load discharges when compared with the conventional aquaculture technique. Despite the required refinements of the tested prototype, especially regarding scale and economic viability in different scenarios, it offers subsidies to the advance of the recirculating aquaculture technology at the national level.

O intenso desenvolvimento da aquacultura tem sido acompanhado de um aumento nos impactos ambientais causados por esta atividade. As descargas de efluentes da aquacultura em ecossistemas aquáticos são uma fonte de deterioração da qualidade ambiental e podem causar eutrofização. O presente trabalho investigou e avaliou o desempenho de um sistema de tratamento e recirculação de efluentes de aquacultura em relação à sua eficiência em manter e restaurar os parâmetros de qualidade da água em níveis adequados ao ciclo produtivo, considerando as implicações desta técnica na conservação dos recursos hídricos. O experimento foi conduzido em dois sistemas funcionando paralelamente, simulando situações com e sem tratamento e recirculação de efluentes. Os sistemas aquícolas, em escala experimental, foram compostos pelos tanques e pelas unidades de tratamento e recirculação. Os tanques de cultivo foram povoados com juvenis de tilápia-do-Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus). Os sistemas sem recirculação e com recirculação receberam, respectivamente, 65 indivíduos (biomassa total inicial = 477g) e 64 indivíduos (biomassa total inicial = 491g). O sistema de tratamento e recirculação de efluentes foi composto por um filtro biológico de leito flutuante granular (floating beads biofilter) e duas colunas de aeração, com diferentes meios de preenchimento. Ao longo dos seis meses de experimento foram medidos os principais parâmetros de qualidade da água para a aquacultura e para a estimativa do funcionamento e desempenho do sistema de tratamento e recirculação de efluentes. O desempenho zootécnico obtido nos tanques foi também avaliado e comparado. Análise de variância (ANOVA) foi utilizada para comparar os dados. Na comparação entre a água de cultivo dos tanques, os seguintes parâmetros apresentaram um valor mais elevado (p<0,05) para o sistema com recirculação: nitrato, carbono orgânico total, fosfato, cloreto, sulfato e condutividade. A água de cultivo do tanque sem recirculação apresentou maiores valores de nitrogênio amoniacal, sólidos suspensos e turbidez (p<0,05). As duas colunas de aeração usadas no experimento não apresentaram diferenças significativa entre si (p>0,05), apresentando uma eficiência de aeração de 67%. O sistema com recirculação foi caracterizado por um uso semanal de água significativamente menor (p<0,05), utilizando apenas 36% do volume de água que foi necessário para o tanque sem recirculação. Indícios de nitrificação foram identificados em ambos os sistemas, porém este processo apresentou uma importância maior sobre a qualidade da água no sistema com recirculação e filtro biológico. O sistema com recirculação produziu efluentes (através da retrolavagem do filtro) mais concentrados (p<0,05) em relação a nitrato, alcalinidade, carbono orgânico total, fosfato, sólidos suspensos e dissolvidos, cloreto, sulfato, condutividade. Em relação à carga de resíduos lançada ao ambiente, o sistema sem recirculação obteve valores maiores (p<0,05) de nitrogênio amoniacal, nitrato, carbono orgânico total, fosfato, sólidos suspensos, sólidos dissolvidos, fluoreto, cloreto e sulfato. Para os demais parâmetros, não houve diferenças significativas quanto à carga de resíduo do efluente produzido (p>0,05). Não houve diferenças significativas entre os dois sistemas comparados (p>0,05) quanto ao ganho de peso das tilápias durante o período de avaliação do desempenho zootécnico. A partir da biomassa total de peixes produzida nos dois tanques durante todo o período experimental calculou-se que o sistema sem recirculação fez uso de 4053 litros de água para cada kg (L/kg) de peixe produzido e o sistema com recirculação usou 1129 L/kg. O sistema de aquacultura com recirculação estudado, construído a partir de materiais nacionais e de baixo custo, obteve êxito como forma de criação de peixes, oferecendo uma significativa redução no volume de água usado e na carga de alguns resíduos em seus efluentes, quando comparado a técnicas convencionais de aquacultura. Apesar de haver significativas necessidades de aprimoramento do protótipo usado e de estudos complementares em relação ao assunto tendo em vista a realidade brasileira, principalmente contemplando a sua viabilidade econômica em diferentes cenários, o experimento conduzido oferece subsídios para o desenvolvimento da tecnologia de aquacultura com recirculação em âmbito nacional. / The active aquaculture growth that has been observed over the last few decades has been accompanied by important environmental impacts. One main concern is the discharge of aquaculture effluents in aquatic systems. Since these effluents contain nutrients, their discharge can contribute to the eutrophication of the receiving water bodies. The present work describes an investigation in which the aquaculture effluent was treated and recycled back to the system. The treatment process was evaluated with respect to its capability to remove contaminants and restore water quality to levels that were adequate to the fishing productive cycle. Such a system can contribute to the conservation of water resources by saving water and discarding fewer pollutants. The experiment was conducted in two pilot systems working in parallel, simulating fish culture processes with and without effluent treatment and recycling. The culture tanks were populated with Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The systems with and without recirculation were populated with 65 (initial total biomass = 477g) and 64 (initial total biomass = 491g) individuals, respectively. The effluent treatment and recirculation system were composed by a floating bead biofilter and two natural aeration columns, each filled with different media. The experiment was conducted along six months, during which the systems were monitored for water quality parameters and zootechnical performance. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare data collected in the culture tanks. The following parameters presented a higher value (p<0.05) in the recirculation system: nitrate, total organic carbon, phosphate, chloride, sulfate and conductivity. Culture water without recirculation presented higher values for total ammonia nitrogen, suspended solids and turbidity (p<0.05). The two aeration columns used in the experiment had about 67% aeration efficiency. Water use in the recirculation system was significantly lower (p<0.05) than the system without recycling, using just 36% of the water needed by the latter. Nitrification occurred in both systems, but had greater importance in the process with recycling and biological filtration. Filter backwashing from the recirculating system produced effluent that was more concentrated (p<0.05) than the system without recycling with respect to nitrate, alkalinity, total organic carbon, phosphate, suspended and dissolved solids, chloride, sulfate and conductivity. On the contrary, the residue loads discharged from the system without recirculation were higher (p<0.05) for total ammonia nitrogen, nitrate, total organic carbon, phosphate, suspended and dissolved solids, fluoride, chloride and sulfate. For the remaining parameters, no significant difference in the residue loads of the two systems was observed (p>0.05). One important observation was that no significant difference occurred between the two systems (p>0.05) regarding tilapia weight gains in the experimental period. Based on the fish biomass growth and water use measured on both systems, it was calculated that the system without recirculation used 4053 liters of water per each kg of produced fish. On the other hand, the system with recirculation used 1129 liters per kg. Considering the outlined results, it was concluded that the recirculating aquaculture system, built with simple and low cost national material, was successful with respect to fish cultivation, water use reduction, and effluent residue load discharges when compared with the conventional aquaculture technique. Despite the required refinements of the tested prototype, especially regarding scale and economic viability in different scenarios, it offers subsidies to the advance of the recirculating aquaculture technology at the national level.