Patent Abstract:
The invention provides a method and system for producing aquatic specie for consumer consumption within a closed aquaculture system. It provides for growing algae in artificial saltwater under controlled conditions in an algae subsystem, feeding the algae to adult artemia for producing small artemia in an artemia subsystem, feeding the algae and small artemia to immature aquatic specie for producing adolescent aquatic specie in an aquatic specie nursery subsystem, and feeding the algae and small artemia to the adolescent aquatic specie to for producing adult aquatic specie in an aquatic specie growout subsystem, which are then harvested. The invention also includes a data acquisition and control subsystem for automated control of the aquaculture system. A unique filtration subsystem accepts waste from the aquatic specie subsystem, pumps the waste through a series of filters, and returns the filtered saltwater to the algae subsystem, the artemia subsystem and the aquatic specie subsystem.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 09/683,798 filed on Feb. 15, 2002 which is now U.S. Pat. No. 6,615,767. 

   BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   The invention relates generally to the field of aquaculture and, more particularly, to a system and method for producing aquatic species for consumer consumption. Although the invention relates to a method and system for producing many aquatic specie, the preferred embodiments disclose a method and system for producing shrimp. 
   While seafood has always been a staple in the diets of many people in the United States and elsewhere, it wasn&#39;t until the 1980s that a significant increase in seafood consumption occurred. The consumption was largely the result of an increased awareness of the medical evidence that supported the health benefits and longevity accrued from a seafood diet. As a result, seafood distributors provided a greater abundance and selection of seafood products that further increased consumption. This increased domestic demand coupled with increased international demand by an expanding population led to more efficient methods for harvesting naturally occurring fish stocks from the oceans of the world. The increasingly efficient methods resulted in rapid depletion of these native fish stocks, requiring government intervention to impose restrictions on the size of the total harvest to preserve populations of certain native species. The smaller harvests resulted in increasing the price of seafood products, which helped stimulate the search for methods of growing fish stocks in a controlled artificial environment. The production of catfish in catfish farms is a dominant example of the growing, large-scale aquaculture industry. Other species produced by the aquaculture industry include crayfish, oysters, shrimp, Tilapia and Striped Bass. 
   The United States consumes about one billion of the approximately seven billion pounds of shrimp that are consumed annually by the world population. While seventy-five percent of this annual harvest is provided by ocean trawling, aquaculture in the form of shrimp farms provide the other twenty five percent. However, ocean trawling suffers from a limited season, a declining catch rate and environmental concerns. Shrimp farms may be categorized as open systems and closed systems. 
   Open system shrimp farms are generally open to the environment, such as open-air ponds constructed near oceans to contain and grow shrimp. These open shrimp farms suffer from vagaries of predators, the weather, diseases and environmental pollution. Saltwater from the ocean must be continually circulated through the ponds and back to the ocean to maintain adequate water chemistry for the shrimp to grow. The shrimp farmers must supply daily additions of dry food pellets to the shrimp as they grow. 
   Closed shrimp farms are generally self-contained aquaculture systems. While closed shrimp farms have greater control over the artificial environment contained therein, they have not been entirely satisfactory because of limited production rates, water filtration and treatment problems, and manufactured feed. Although some of these shortcomings can be overcome by increased capital expenditures, such as for water treatment facilities, the increased capital, labor and energy costs may be prohibitive. 
   It is desirable, therefore, to have a method and system for producing aquatic species, and particularly shrimp, that are not limited by a season, declining catch rate, environmental concerns, predators, weather, diseases, low production rates, water treatment problems, or manufactured feed. The system and method should not be limited to a specific location for access to a shipping facility or proximity to the ocean. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a closed aquaculture system and method for producing aquatic specie and other aquatic species that is not limited by the seasons of the year, is not limited by a declining catch rate, does not exhibit environmental concerns and is not affected by predators, weather, or diseases. The present invention provides high production rates, does not exhibit water treatment or manufactured feed problems, and is not limited to a specific location for access to a shipping facility or proximity to the ocean. Use of automation results in reduced labor costs and greater system density. 
   Unlike existing systems and methods, the present invention replicates a natural biological cycle by combining live algae, live artemia and live aquatic specie in a controlled environment. This combination of algae, artemia and aquatic specie stabilizes key system parameters. In addition, the system can achieve higher algae, artemia and aquatic specie density than existing systems by using automation to continually monitor and modify the saltwater environment. 
   An embodiment of the present invention is a method for producing adult aquatic specie in an aquaculture system comprising growing algae within an algae subsystem containing saltwater illuminated by a light source, flowing the algae from the algae subsystem into an artemia subsystem containing adult artemia, an aquatic specie nursery subsystem and an aquatic specie growout subsystem, all containing saltwater, consuming the algae by the adult artemia and producing small artemia by the adult artemia within the artemia subsystem, passing the small artemia from the artemia subsystem to the aquatic specie nursery subsystem and the aquatic specie growout subsystem, consuming the algae and the small artemia by immature aquatic specie contained within the aquatic specie nursery subsystem for producing adolescent aquatic specie, the adolescent aquatic specie being passed to the aquatic specie growout subsystem, consuming the algae and the small artemia by the adolescent aquatic specie contained within the aquatic specie growout subsystem for producing adult aquatic specie, and harvesting the adult aquatic specie. The method may further comprise filtering a waste outflow from the aquatic specie growout subsystem by a filtration subsystem for providing a saltwater return to the algae subsystem, the artemia subsystem, the aquatic specie nursery subsystem and the aquatic specie growout subsystem. The method may further comprise controlling the aquaculture system with a data acquisition and control subsystem. The method may further comprising replenishing saltwater lost in the aquaculture system due to evaporation and leakage. 
   The step of growing algae within an algae subsystem may further comprise seeding a selected strain of algae into one or more containers containing saltwater, illuminating the algae subsystem with a light source for proper algae growth, maintaining a temperature of the algae and saltwater by a heater means, measuring pH, algae density, temperature, light source output, dissolved oxygen and micronutrients, and controlling CO2 inflow for pH control, saltwater replenishment inflow, light source output, saltwater return inflow from a filtration subsystem, and algae outflow to the artemia subsystem, the aquatic specie nursery subsystem and the aquatic specie growout subsystem. The selected strain of algae may be selected from the group consisting of  isochrysis galbana, nannochloropsis, dunaliella, skeletonema, thalassiosira, phaeodactylum, chaetoceros, cylindrotheca, tetraselmis , and  spirulina . The optimum saltwater return inflow value may be selected to maintain an algae density value within a range of from 100 thousand to 10 million cells per milliliter of the preferred strain of algae. The one or more containers may be selected from the group consisting of open containers and sealed containers. 
   The step of consuming algae by the adult artemia and producing small artemia by the adult artemia within the artemia subsystem may further comprise adding adult artemia to one or more containers containing saltwater, illuminating the artemia subsystem with a light source for proper algae growth, maintaining a temperature of the artemia, algae and saltwater by a heater means, measuring waste, algae density, artemia density, temperature, pH, ammonia, light source output and dissolved oxygen, and controlling oxygen inflow, saltwater return inflow from a filtration subsystem, light source output, saltwater replenishment inflow, algae inflow and artemia outflow to the aquatic specie subsystem. The controlling a saltwater return inflow value may maintain an artemia outflow value to the aquatic specie nursery subsystem and the aquatic specie growout subsystem to adequately remove waste from the artemia subsystem and provide sufficient artemia to the aquatic specie nursery subsystem and the aquatic specie growout subsystem for food. The method may further comprise preventing adult artemia from leaving the one or more containers of the artemia subsystem and allowing artemia waste and small artemia to pass from the one or more containers of the artemia subsystem to the aquatic specie nursery subsystem and the aquatic specie growout subsystem by filtering container outflow through a 400-micron screen. The one or more containers may be selected from the group consisting of open containers and sealed containers. 
   The step of consuming the algae and the small artemia by an immature aquatic specie contained within the aquatic specie nursery subsystem may further comprise placing the immature aquatic specie in one or more containers in the aquatic specie nursery subsystem for consuming algae and artemia for producing adolescent aquatic specie, illuminating the aquatic specie nursery subsystem with a light source for proper algae growth, maintaining a temperature of the immature aquatic specie, algae, artemia and saltwater by a heater means, measuring waste, algae density, artemia density, aquatic specie size, aquatic specie density, temperature, pH, ammonia, light source output, and dissolved oxygen, controlling oxygen inflow, saltwater return inflow from a filtration subsystem, light source output, saltwater replenishment inflow, artemia inflow from the artemia subsystem, algae inflow from the algae subsystem and waste outflow to the filtration subsystem, gradually increasing the saltwater level in the one or more containers for increasing a volume of the one or more containers as the immature aquatic specie increase from immature size to adolescent size, and enabling the adolescent aquatic specie to be passed through to the aquatic specie growout system. The step of controlling the waste outflow to the filtration subsystem may comprise filtering the waste outflow from the aquatic specie nursery subsystem through a filter screen to prevent immature aquatic specie from leaving the aquatic specie nursery subsystem and allowing waste products to pass to the filtration subsystem. The filter screen may comprise a 400 micron bottom section and a 800 micron top section for enabling disposal of increased waste products from increasing size aquatic specie as the effective volume of the aquatic subsystem is increased by adding increasing a saltwater level to accommodate the larger specie size. The controlling a saltwater return inflow value may maintain a waste outflow value to the filtration subsystem by controlling volume to adequately remove waste from the aquatic specie subsystem. The preferred aquatic specie may be selected from the group consisting of  litopenaeus vannamei, monodon, indicus, stylirostis, chinensis, japonicus , and  merguiensis . The optimum waste outflow rate from the aquatic specie nursery subsystem may be selected to remove waste products from an aquatic specie density of from 0.25 to 0.5 pounds per gallon of saltwater. The one or more containers may be selected from the group consisting of open containers and sealed containers. 
   The step of consuming the algae and the small artemia by the adolescent aquatic specie contained within the aquatic specie growout subsystem may further comprise containing the immature aquatic specie in one or more containers in the aquatic specie growout subsystem for consuming algae and artemia, illuminating the aquatic specie growout subsystem with a light source for proper algae growth, maintaining a temperature of the adolescent aquatic specie, algae, artemia and saltwater by a heater means, measuring waste, algae density, artemia density, aquatic specie size, aquatic specie density, temperature, pH, ammonia, light source output, and dissolved oxygen, controlling oxygen inflow, light source output, saltwater return inflow from a filtration subsystem, saltwater replenishment inflow, artemia inflow from the artemia subsystem, algae inflow from the algae subsystem and waste outflow to the filtration subsystem, and gradually increasing the saltwater level in the one or more containers for increasing a volume of the one or more containers as the adolescent aquatic specie increase from adolescent size to adult size. The step of controlling the waste outflow to the filtration subsystem may comprise filtering the waste outflow from the aquatic specie growout subsystem through a filter screen to prevent immature aquatic specie from leaving the aquatic specie growout subsystem and allowing waste products to pass to the filtration subsystem. The filter screen may comprise a 2000 micron bottom section and a 5000 micron top section for enabling disposal of increased waste products from increasing size aquatic specie as the effective volume of the aquatic subsystem is increased by adding increasing a saltwater level to accommodate the larger specie size. The controlling a saltwater return inflow value may maintain a waste outflow value to the filtration subsystem by controlling volume to adequately remove waste from the aquatic specie growout subsystem. The optimum waste outflow rate from the aquatic specie growout subsystem may be selected to remove waste products from an aquatic specie density of from 0.25 to 0.5 pounds per gallon of saltwater. The one or more containers may be selected from the group consisting of open containers and sealed containers. 
   The step of filtering a waste outflow from the aquatic specie growout subsystem may comprise pumping the waste outflow from the aquatic specie growout subsystem to an input of a first mechanical filter, flowing a first part of an outflow from the first mechanical filter to an inflow of a biofilter, an outflow of the biofilter being connected to a saltwater return inflow of the aquatic specie nursery subsystem and a saltwater return inflow of the aquatic specie growout subsystem, flowing a second part of the outflow from the first mechanical filter to an inflow of a second mechanical filter, an outflow of the second mechanical filter being flowed through an inflow heating passage of a heat exchanger to a pasteurization chamber inflow, pasteurizing the pasteurization chamber inflow from the heat exchanger for destroying living organisms in the inflow and flowing a pasteurization chamber outflow to an outflow cooling passage of the heat exchanger, and flowing a pasteurized and cooled outflow from the heat exchanger outflow cooling passage to a saltwater return inflow of the algae subsystem and a saltwater return inflow of the artemia subsystem. The method may further comprise adding supplemental nutrients to the pasteurization chamber outflow under control of a data acquisition and control subsystem. The method may further comprise sterilizing the flow conduits from the heat exchanger cooling passage to the saltwater return inflow of the algae subsystem and the saltwater return inflow of the artemia subsystem using a steam sterilizer under control of a data acquisition and control subsystem. 
   The step of controlling the aquaculture system may comprise connecting measurements from the algae subsystem, artemia subsystem, the aquatic specie nursery subsystem and the aquatic specie growout subsystem to an input multiplexer, connecting an output from the input multiplexer to an input of a microprocessor, connecting an output of the microprocessor to a controller output, connecting an output from the output controller to controls for the algae subsystem, the artemia subsystem, the aquatic specie nursery subsystem, the aquatic specie growout subsystem and the filtration subsystem, and connecting the microprocessor to a video monitor and keyboard for providing a user interface. The aquaculture system may comprise a closed recirculating system. The harvested adult aquatic specie may be shrimp. The method may further comprise positioning habitat structures within the aquatic specie nursery subsystem and the aquatic specie growout subsystem for increasing the number of aquatic specie in the subsystem by providing a greater habitat surface area. The method may further comprise maintaining a temperature value in the algae subsystem, the artemia subsystem, the aquatic specie nursery subsystem and the aquatic specie growout subsystem within a range of from 23° C. to 32° C., maintaining a salinity value in the algae subsystem, the artemia subsystem, term, the aquatic specie nursery subsystem and the aquatic specie growout subsystem within a range of from 20 to 45 parts per thousand, maintaining a dissolved oxygen value in the artemia subsystem, the aquatic specie nursery subsystem and the aquatic specie growout subsystem within a range of from 4.5 to 9.0 parts per million, maintaining a pH value in the algae subsystem, the artemia subsystem, the aquatic specie nursery subsystem and the aquatic specie growout subsystem within a range of from 7.5 to 8.5, and adjusting an illumination level of light sources for the algae subsystem, the artemia subsystem, the aquatic specie nursery subsystem and the aquatic specie growout subsystem for regulating algae growth rates. The step of passing the small artemia may further comprise passing the small artemia and adult artemia from the artemia subsystem to the aquatic specie nursery subsystem and the aquatic specie growout subsystem. 
   Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for producing adult aquatic specie in an aquaculture system, comprising growing algae in saltwater, feeding the algae to artemia in saltwater, producing artemia by the artemia in saltwater, feeding the algae and the artemia to an immature aquatic specie in saltwater to produce adult aquatic specie, and harvesting the adult aquatic specie from the saltwater when mature. The step of growing algae may comprise illuminating the algae in the saltwater by a light source, controlling a temperature of the algae in the saltwater by a heat source, regulating a CO2 inflow to control pH of the saltwater, replenishing saltwater lost due to evaporation and leakage, regulating a saltwater return inflow for controlling algae outflow, and measuring pH, algae density, temperature, light source output, dissolved oxygen and micronutrients. The step of feeding the algae to artemia in saltwater may comprise providing an inflow of algae and saltwater into the artemia in saltwater, illuminating the algae in the saltwater by a light source, controlling a temperature of the algae and artemia in saltwater by a heat source, regulating a CO2 inflow to control pH of the saltwater, regulating an oxygen inflow to control dissolved oxygen, regulating a saltwater return inflow for controlling artemia, algae, waste and saltwater outflow, and measuring pH, algae density, temperature, light source output, ammonia, dissolved oxygen, waste, and artemia density. The step of producing artemia by the artemia in saltwater may comprise consuming algae by the adult artemia to generate small artemia, filtering the algae, adult artemia, small artemia, waste and saltwater through a screen that allows the algae, small artemia, waste and saltwater to pass as an outflow while restraining the adult artemia. The step of feeding the algae and the artemia to an immature aquatic specie in saltwater to produce adult aquatic specie may comprise providing an inflow of algae, artemia, waste and saltwater to the immature aquatic specie in saltwater, illuminating the algae in the saltwater by a light source, controlling a temperature of the algae, artemia, waste and saltwater by a heat source, regulating a CO2 inflow to control pH of the saltwater, regulating an oxygen inflow to control dissolved oxygen, regulating a saltwater return inflow for controlling artemia, algae, waste and saltwater outflow, measuring aquatic specie density, aquatic specie size, pH, algae density, temperature, light source output, ammonia, dissolved oxygen, waste, volume and artemia density, consuming artemia by the immature aquatic specie to produce adolescent aquatic specie, consuming artemia by the adolescent aquatic specie to produce adult aquatic specie, and filtering the algae, aquatic specie, artemia, waste and saltwater through a graded screen that allows the algae, small artemia, waste and saltwater to pass as an outflow to a filtration means while restraining the aquatic specie. The method may further comprise positioning habitat structures for increasing the number of aquatic specie in the subsystem. 
   Yet another embodiment of the present invention is an aquaculture system for producing adult aquatic specie that comprises an algae subsystem containing saltwater illuminated by a light source for growing algae, means for flowing the algae from the algae subsystem into an artemia subsystem, an aquatic specie nursery subsystem and an aquatic specie growout subsystem, both containing saltwater, the artemia subsystem containing adult artemia for consuming the algae and producing small artemia, means for passing the small artemia from the artemia subsystem to the aquatic specie nursery subsystem containing an immature aquatic specie for consuming the algae and the small artemia and producing an adolescent aquatic specie, means for passing the adolescent aquatic specie from the aquatic specie nursery subsystem to the aquatic specie growout subsystem for consuming the algae and the small artemia and producing an adult aquatic specie, and means for harvesting the adult aquatic specie. The system may further comprise a filtration subsystem for filtering a waste outflow from the aquatic specie growout subsystem and for providing a saltwater return to the algae subsystem, the artemia subsystem, the aquatic specie nursery subsystem and the aquatic specie growout subsystem. The system may further comprise a data acquisition and control subsystem for controlling the aquaculture system. The system may further comprise means for replenishing saltwater lost in the aquaculture system due to evaporation and leakage. The algae subsystem containing saltwater illuminated by a light source for growing algae may further comprise a light source for illuminating the algae in the saltwater, a heater for controlling a temperature of the algae subsystem, a CO2 inflow for controlling pH of the algae subsystem, a saltwater replenishment inflow for replacing saltwater lost to evaporation and leakage, a saltwater return inflow from a filtration subsystem, an algae outflow to the artemia subsystem, and measurement means for measuring pH, algae density, temperature, light source output, dissolved oxygen, and micronutrients of the algae subsystem. The artemia subsystem containing adult artemia for consuming the algae and producing small artemia may further comprise a light source for illuminating the algae in the saltwater, a heater for controlling temperature of the artemia subsystem, a CO2 inflow for controlling pH of the algae subsystem, an oxygen inflow for controlling dissolved oxygen of the artemia subsystem, a saltwater replenishment inflow for replacing saltwater lost to evaporation and leakage, a saltwater return inflow from a filtration subsystem, a filter screen for separating the small artemia and waste from the adult artemia, an artemia outflow to the aquatic specie nursery subsystem, and measurement means for measuring pH, algae density, temperature, light source output, ammonia, dissolved oxygen, waste, and artemia density of the algae subsystem. The aquatic specie nursery subsystem containing an immature aquatic specie for consuming the algae and the small artemia and producing an adolescent aquatic specie may further comprise a light source for illuminating the algae in the saltwater, a heater for controlling temperature of the aquatic specie nursery subsystem, a CO2 inflow for controlling pH of the aquatic specie nursery subsystem, an oxygen inflow for controlling dissolved oxygen of the aquatic specie nursery subsystem, a saltwater replenishment inflow for replacing saltwater lost to evaporation and leakage, a saltwater return inflow from a filtration su system, a graded filter screen for separating the immature aquatic specie from the waste algae and small artemia, a waste outflow to the filtration subsystem, and measurement means for measuring aquatic specie density, aquatic specie size, pH, algae density, light source output, temperature, ammonia, dissolved oxygen, waste, and volume of the algae subsystem. The graded filter screen may be selected from the group consisting of a planar filter screen and a cylindrical filter screen. The aquatic specie growout subsystem containing an adolescent aquatic specie for consuming the algae and the small artemia; and producing an adult aquatic specie may further comprise a light source for illuminating the algae in the saltwater, a heater for controlling temperature of the aquatic specie growout subsystem, a CO2 inflow for controlling pH of the aquatic specie growout subsystem, an oxygen inflow for controlling dissolved oxygen of the aquatic specie growout subsystem, a saltwater replenishment inflow for replacing saltwater lost to evaporation and leakage, a saltwater return inflow from a filtration subsystem, a graded filter screen for separating the adolescent and adult aquatic specie from the waste algae and small artemia, a waste outflow to the filtration subsystem; and measurement means for measuring aquatic specie density, aquatic specie size, pH, algae density, light source output, temperature, ammonia, dissolved oxygen, waste, and volume of the algae subsystem. The graded filter screen may be selected from the group consisting of a planar filter screen and a cylindrical filter screen. The filtration subsystem may comprise a waste inflow from the aquatic specie growout subsystem connected to an inlet of a pump, an outlet of the pump connected to an inflow of a first mechanical filter, an outflow of the first mechanical filter connected to an inflow of a biofilter and an inflow of a second mechanical filter, an outflow of the biofilter connected to saltwater return inflows of the aquatic specie nursery subsystem and the aquatic specie growout subsystem, an outflow of the second mechanical filter connected through an inflow heating passage of a heat exchanger to a pasteurization chamber inflow, the pasteurization chamber pasteurizing the pasteurization chamber inflow from the heat exchanger for destroying living organisms in the inflow, an outflow from the pasteurization chamber connected through an outflow cooling passage of the heat exchanger, and the pasteurized and cooled outflow from the heat exchanger outflow cooling passage being sent to a saltwater return inflow of the algae subsystem and a saltwater return inflow of the artemia subsystem. The data acquisition and control subsystem for controlling the aquaculture system may comprise an input multiplexer for accepting measurement inputs from the algae subsystem, the artemia subsystem, the aquatic specie nursery subsystem and the aquatic specie growout subsystem, a microprocessor connected to an output of the input multiplexer, a monitor and keyboard user interface, and an input to an output controller, and control outputs of the output controller connected to the algae subsystem, the artemia subsystem, the aquatic specie nursery subsystem, the aquatic specie growout subsystem, and the filtration subsystem. The measurement inputs may comprise pH, algae density, temperature, light source output, dissolved oxygen and micronutrients from the algae subsystem, pH, algae density, temperature, light source output, ammonia, dissolved oxygen, waste, and artemia density from the artemia subsystem, aquatic specie density, aquatic specie size, pH, algae density, temperature, ammonia, dissolved oxygen, waste, volume, and artemia density from the aquatic specie nursery subsystem, and aquatic specie density, aquatic specie size, pH, algae density, temperature, ammonia, dissolved oxygen, waste, volume, and artemia density from the aquatic specie growout subsystem. The control outputs may comprise heater control, CO2 inflow, saltwater replenishment inflow, light source control, algae outflow, saltwater return inflow, and algae tank flow valves to the algae subsystem, heater control, oxygen inflow, artemia outflow, light source control, saltwater return inflow, algae inflow, and saltwater replenishment inflow to the artemia subsystem, heater control, oxygen inflow, waste outflow, light source control, saltwater return inflow, artemia inflow, and saltwater return inflow to the aquatic specie nursery subsystem, heater control, oxygen inflow, waste outflow, light source control, saltwater return inflow, artemia inflow, and saltwater return inflow to the aquatic specie growout subsystem, and pump speed control to the filtration subsystem. The system may further comprise habitat structures positioned within the aquatic specie subsystem for harvesting increased adult aquatic specie. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  shows a concentric aquaculture system according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  shows an algae subsystem for use in a concentric aquaculture system; 
       FIG. 3  shows an artemia subsystem for use in a concentric aquaculture system; 
       FIG. 4  shows an aquatic specie subsystem for use in a concentric aquaculture system; 
     FIG.  5 A and  FIG. 5B  show graded filter screens for use in an aquatic specie subsystem of aquaculture systems; 
       FIG. 6  shows a filtration subsystem for use in aquaculture systems; 
       FIG. 7  shows a data acquisition and control subsystem for use in aquaculture systems; 
       FIG. 8  shows a distributed aquaculture system according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  shows an algae subsystem for use in a distributed aquaculture system; 
       FIG. 10  shows an artemia subsystem for use in a distributed aquaculture system; 
       FIG. 11  shows an aquatic specie subsystem for use in a distributed aquaculture system; and 
       FIG. 12  shows a filtration subsystem for use in an aquaculture system. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Turning now to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 1  shows a concentric aquaculture system  100  according to the present invention. The concentric system  100  comprises an algae subsystem  200 , an artemia subsystem  300 , an aquatic specie subsystem  400 , a filtration subsystem  600 , a data acquisition and control subsystem  700 , and a saltwater replenishment source  808 . The algae subsystem  200 , artemia subsystem  300 , and aquatic specie subsystem  400  may comprise either open or sealed containers. Algae are grown in the algae subsystem  200 , and flow to the artemia subsystem  300  and the aquatic specie subsystem  400 . Adult artemia in the artemia subsystem  300  feed on the algae and produce small artemia (live  nauplii ), which flow to the aquatic species subsystem  400 . The aquatic specie to be produced by the system  100  is introduced into the aquatic specie subsystem  400  at an immature stage, to be raised to an adult stage for harvesting. These immature species are contained in aquatic specie subsystem  400  and feed on the algae and artemia in the aquatic specie subsystem  400 . Although the algae reduces the affect of waste products from the artemia and aquatic specie, the system  100  utilizes a unique filtration subsystem  600  that removes additional waste from the system during growth of the aquatic specie being produced. The data acquisition and control subsystem  700  is critical for maintaining a suitable environment for the algae, artemia, and aquatic specie being produced by automatically monitoring and regulating a number of critical environmental parameters. A source for saltwater replenishment  808  is provided to the algae subsystem  200  for replacing saltwater lost from evaporation and leakage. As noted above, although the method and system of the present invention may be used to produce a variety of aquatic species, the preferred embodiments disclose the production of shrimp. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 2  shows an algae subsystem  200  for use in a concentric aquaculture system  100 . The algae subsystem  200  uses an enclosed tank  210 , preferably of fiberglass construction, that contains saltwater and algae  218 . The tank  210  may be either open or sealed. The saltwater has a salinity of from 30 to 35 parts per thousand. Lighting  214  provides energy for proper algae growth and a heater  216  maintains a temperature of the saltwater and algae  218  within an acceptable range. Sensors within the tank  210  connected to the data acquisition and monitoring subsystem  700  provide continuous monitoring of pH  226 , algae density  228 , temperature  230 , light output  234 , micronutrients  236  and dissolved oxygen  232 . Since algae growth naturally causes the pH of the algae subsystem  200  to increase, controlled amounts of carbon dioxide gas (CO2)  224  is introduced into the system to maintain the pH  226  within acceptable levels. The algae will gravity feed  222  from the algae subsystem  200  to the artemia subsystem  300 , depending on a saltwater return rate  220  from the filtration subsystem  600  for controlling the saltwater level  212  in the tank  210 . Saltwater replenishment  208  having a salinity of from 30 to 35 parts per thousand is provided to replace saltwater losses, such as evaporation and leakage. An optimal saltwater return rate  220  will keep the algae density  228  between approximately 100 thousand to 10 million cells per milliliter for the preferred strain of algae (tajitian strain of  isochrysis galbana ). 
   Turning now to  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 3  shows an artemia subsystem  300  for use in a concentric aquaculture system  100 . The artemia subsystem  300  utilizes an enclosed round tank  310 , preferably of fiberglass construction, which contains the algae subsystem  200 , saltwater and artemia  360 . The tank  310  may be either open or sealed. Sensors continuously monitor artemia density  334 , temperature  330 , pH  326 , ammonia  338 , algae density  340 , waste  342  and dissolved oxygen  332  within the artemia subsystem  300 . Overlapping lighting from the algae subsystem  200  allows continued growth of the algae  318  fed to the artemia  360  in the artemia subsystem  300 . Although waste from the artemia  360  causes the pH of the artemia subsystem  300  to decrease, the presence of the algae  318  will increase the pH, thereby stabilizing the pH of the artemia subsystem  300 . The algae  318  also serve as food for the artemia  360 . A heater  316  controlled by the data acquisition and control subsystem  700  maintains the temperature of the artemia subsystem  300  within an acceptable range. The adult artemia  360  produce small artemia on a continuous basis. A 400-micron screen  314  prevents the adult artemia  360  from leaving the artemia subsystem  300 , but allows the artemia waste and small artemia to pass from the artemia subsystem  300  to the aquatic specie subsystem  400  by gravity feed. The flow rate to the aquatic specie subsystem  322  will depend on the return flow rate  320  from the filtration subsystem  600  and the flow rate  222  from the algae subsystem  200 . An optimal flow rate  322  to the aquatic specie subsystem  400  adequately removes waste from the artemia subsystem  300  and also provides sufficient artemia  360  to the aquatic specie subsystem  400  for food. A flow of oxygen  344  is introduced into the artemia subsystem  300  for controlling the level of dissolved oxygen. The saltwater level  312  in the artemia subsystem  300  is determined by the return flow rate  320  from the filtration subsystem  600  and the algae subsystem  220 . The preferred artemia species  360  originate from the Great Salt Lake in Utah, USA. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 4  shows an aquatic specie subsystem  400  for use in a concentric aquaculture system  100 . The aquatic specie subsystem  400  utilizes an enclosed round tank  410 , preferably of fiberglass construction, which contains the algae subsystem  200  and the artemia subsystem  300  within it. The tank  410  may be either open or sealed. The aquatic specie subsystem  400  also contains aquatic specie  468 , preferably shrimp, algae  418 , saltwater, and artemia  462 . Sensors continuously monitor artemia density  434 , aquatic specie size  440 , aquatic specie density  442 , temperature  430 , pH  426 , dissolved oxygen  432 , algae density  444 , waste  446 , volume  448  and ammonia  438 . Habitat structures  414  are positioned in the aquatic species subsystem  400  for providing a greater habitat surface area for increasing the amount of aquatic species within the subsystem. The artemia  462  are food for the aquatic specie  468 . A heater  416  maintains the temperature of the aquatic specie subsystem  400  within an acceptable range. A graded screen  500 , preferably nylon material, provides filtration of aquatic specie waste products and allows waste flow  422  to the filter subsystem  600 . The aquatic specie subsystem  400  is initially stocked with live, commercially available postlarvae shrimp in salt water maintained at a low level. As the shrimp grow from about 0.5 inches in length to about 5 inches in length, the system  100  automatically adds saltwater to the aquatic specie subsystem  400  to gradually increase the saltwater level  412  and effective volume of the aquatic specie subsystem  400 . As the saltwater level  412  of the aquatic subsystem  400  increases and the shrimp  468  grow in size, larger screen openings of the graded screen  500  allow passage of larger waste particles while preventing the shrimp  468  from passing through the graded screen. The method of slowly increasing the level of the saltwater  412  and the effective volume of the aquatic specie subsystem  400  has an additional beneficial feature. When the shrimp  468  are small, the effective volume of the aquatic specie subsystem  400  is also small, allowing a higher and more beneficial concentration of food. As the shrimp grow larger, the increase in effective volume maintains an optimum food density and optimum shrimp separation. Waste products pass through the graded screen  500  and on to the filter subsystem  700 . Since the aquaculture system  100  is a closed system, the flow rate  422  to the filtration subsystem  600  will depend on the return flow rate  420  from the filtration subsystem  600  and the flow rate  322  from the artemia subsystem  300 . An optimum flow rate will adequately remove waste products from the aquatic specie subsystem  400  at a density of 0.25 to 0.5 pounds of shrimp per gallon of saltwater. The preferred shrimp species is  Litopenaeus Vannamei  (Pacific White Shrimp). 
   Turning now to  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5A  shows a planar graded filter screen  500  for use in an aquatic specie subsystem  400  of a concentric aquaculture system  100 .  FIG. 5A  depicts one embodiment of a graded screen  500  having four distinct screens, each having a distinct mesh size. In alternative embodiments of the graded filter screen  500 , there may also be a multitude of distinct screen mesh sizes, or a continuous gradient of mesh sizes. The lowest of the four distinct screens  510  comprises a screen having a mesh size of about 400 microns. The height of the lower screen  510  corresponds to a saltwater level  412  for aquatic specie inhabiting the aquatic specie subsystem  400  for between 0 and 2 weeks. The second screen  520  comprises a screen having a mesh size of about 800 microns. The height of the second screen  520  corresponds to a saltwater level  412  for aquatic specie inhabiting the aquatic specie subsystem  400  for between 2 and 4 weeks. The third screen  530  comprises a screen having a mesh size of about 2000 microns. The height of the third screen  530  corresponds to a saltwater level  412  for aquatic specie inhabiting the aquatic specie subsystem  400  for between 5 and 8 weeks. The fourth or top screen  540  comprises a screen having a mesh size of about 5000 microns. The height of the top screen  540  corresponds to a saltwater level  412  for aquatic specie inhabiting the aquatic specie subsystem  400  for between 9 and 13 weeks. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 5B ,  FIG. 5B  shows a cylindrical graded filter screen  550  for use in an aquatic specie subsystem  500  of a distributed aquaculture system  800 .  FIG. 5B  depicts one embodiment of a graded screen  550  having four distinct screens, each having a distinct mesh size. In alternative embodiments of the graded filter screen  550 , there may also be a multitude of distinct screen mesh sizes, or a continuous gradient of mesh sizes. The lowest of the four distinct screens  560  comprises a screen having a mesh size of about 400 microns. The height of the lower screen  560  corresponds to a saltwater level in the aquatic specie subsystem  1100  for aquatic specie inhabiting the aquatic specie subsystem  1100  for between 0 and 2 weeks. The second screen  570  comprises a screen having a mesh size of about 800 microns. The height of the second screen  570  corresponds to a saltwater level for aquatic specie inhabiting the aquatic specie subsystem  1100  for between 2 and 4 weeks. The third screen  580  comprises a screen having a mesh size of about 2000 microns. The height of the third screen  580  corresponds to a saltwater level for aquatic specie inhabiting the aquatic specie subsystem  1100  for between 5 and 8 weeks. The fourth or top screen  590  comprises a screen having a mesh size of about 5000 microns. The height of the top screen  590  corresponds to a saltwater level for aquatic specie inhabiting the aquatic specie subsystem  1100  for between 9 and 13 weeks. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 6  shows a filtration subsystem  600  for use in an aquaculture system  100 . The input flow  610  to the filtration subsystem  600  is depicted in FIG.  1  and the output flow  612  to the algae subsystem  200 , the artemia subsystem  300  and the aquatic specie subsystem  400  is explained with regard to FIG.  2 -FIG.  4 . The input flow  610  to the filtration system  600  is connected to the waste flow  422  from the aquatic specie subsystem  400  after passing through the graded filter screen  500 . The output flow  612  from the filtration subsystem  600  is connected to the saltwater return  220  of the algae subsystem  200 , the saltwater return  320  of the artemia subsystem  300  and the saltwater return  420  of the aquatic specie subsystem  400 . As noted above, waste enters the input flow  610  filtration subsystem  600  from the aquatic specie subsystem  400  after passing through the graded filter screen  500 . Although the algae in the system  100  will remove micronutrients from the system created by the aquatic specie waste products, additional filtration allow for higher aquatic specie densities. A saltwater pump  620  pumps the waste product stream  610 , which has passed through the graded filter screen  500 , through a mechanical filter  630  to remove particulate material. The mechanical filter  630  has a preferred filter size of about 100 microns, thereby trapping particulate material having a size greater than 100 microns. The waste stream is then passed through a biofilter  640  to convert ammonia into nitrates for use as a nutrient for the algae. After filtration of the waste stream, a plumbing and valve network returns the filtered and cleansed saltwater to the algae subsystem  200 , the artemia subsystem  300 , the aquatic specie subsystem  400  and the filtration subsystem  600 . The return flow rates to each of these subsystems, which is controlled by the data acquisition and control subsystem  700  and respective return valves, determines the flow rate through each subsystem. The data acquisition and control subsystem  700  will vary the return flow rate  220  of the algae subsystem  200  to maintain a specific algae density  228 . This flow rate  220  also determines the food supply rate to the artemia. The data acquisition and control subsystem  700  also controls the return flow rate  320  of the artemia subsystem  300  to maintain an adequate supply of artemia to the aquatic specie. This flow rate  320  increases as the aquatic specie grow in size, and also determines the filtration rate of the artemia subsystem  300 . The data acquisition and control subsystem  700  also controls the return flow rate  420  of the aquatic specie subsystem  400  to maintain adequate filtration of the aquatic specie subsystem  400 . This flow rate  420  increases as the aquatic specie grow in size, and also affects the amount of time that the artemia stay in the aquatic specie subsystem  400 . As the saltwater level  412  in the aquatic specie subsystem  400  increases, the filtration subsystem pump  620  operates at a greater flow rate because of reduced head pressure. The data acquisition and control subsystem  700  controls the filtration subsystem return flow rate  612  to maintain optimal flow rates to the other subsystems. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 7  shows a data acquisition and control subsystem  700  for use in an aquaculture system  100 ,  800 . The data acquisition and control subsystem  700  uses sensors to monitor and devices to control critical parameters of the aquaculture system  100 ,  800 , enabling the system to sustain algae and artemia cultures while promoting rapid aquatic specie growth. A microprocessor-based system uses predetermined algorithms to maintain these critical parameters without operator intervention. The data acquisition and control subsystem  700  also records and transmits system measurements and control events to a user interface for review and analysis by an operator. The data acquisition and control subsystem  700  contains an input multiplexer  710 , a microprocessor  720 , an output controller  750  and a video monitor  730  and keyboard  740  for providing a user interface. 
   Input signals  712  from the algae subsystem  200 ,  900  are connected to the input multiplexer  710 , where they may be sequentially selected, converted to a digital format, and sent to a microprocessor  720 . The input signals  712  from the algae subsystem  200 ,  900  include pH  226 ,  926 , temperature  230 ,  930 , algae density  228 ,  928 , light output  234 ,  934 , micronutrients  236 ,  936 , and dissolved oxygen  232 ,  932 . Input signals  714  from the artemia subsystem  300 ,  1000  are also connected to the input multiplexer  710 , where they may be sequentially selected, converted to a digital format, and sent to a microprocessor  720 . The input signals  714  from the artemia subsystem  300 ,  1000  include pH  326 ,  1026 , temperature  330 ,  1030 , algae density  340 ,  1040 , artemia density  334 ,  1034 , waste  342 ,  1042 , ammonia  338 ,  1038  and dissolved oxygen  332 ,  1032 . Input signals  716  from the aquatic specie subsystem  400 ,  1100  are also connected to the input multiplexer  710  where they may be sequentially selected, converted to a digital format, and sent to a microprocessor  720 . The input signals  716  from the aquatic specie subsystem  400 ,  1100  include pH  426 ,  1126 , temperature  430 ,  1130 , algae density  444 ,  1144 , artemia density  434 ,  1134 , aquatic specie density  440 ,  1141 , waste  446 ,  1146 , ammonia  438 ,  1138 , dissolved oxygen  432 ,  1132 , aquatic specie size  440 ,  1140 , and volume  448 ,  1148 . 
   Output signals  752  to the algae subsystem  200   900  are connected to the output controller  750  of the data acquisition and control subsystem  700 , which is controlled by the microprocessor  750 . For the distributed aquaculture system  800 , the output signals  752  to the algae subsystem  900  include selection of one of the plurality of algae tanks. The output signals  752  to the algae subsystem  200 ,  900  include CO2 flow control  224 ,  924  for controlling pH, heater control  216 ,  916  for controlling temperature, and saltwater return flow rate  220 ,  920  for controlling algae density. In the distributed aquaculture system  800 , control of CO2 flow  924  involves controlling valve  960 , control of saltwater return rate  920  and algae flow rate  922  involves controlling valves  962 ,  964 , and  966 , and control of saltwater replenishment  908  involves control of valve  968 . Output signals  754  to the artemia subsystem  300 ,  1000  are also connected to the output controller  750  for control by the microprocessor  750 . The output signals  754  to the artemia subsystem  300 ,  1000  include saltwater return flow rate  320 ,  1020  for controlling pH, heater control  316 ,  1016  for controlling temperature, and oxygen flow control  344 ,  1044  for controlling dissolved oxygen. In the distributed aquaculture system  800 , control the saltwater return flow  1020  involves controlling valve  1021 , control of oxygen flow  1044  involves controlling valve  1043 , control of saltwater replenishment  1008  involves controlling valve  1068 , and control of algae flow  1024  involves controlling valve  1023 . Note that artemia feed rate in the artemia subsystem  300  is controlled by the saltwater return flow rate  220  of the algae subsystem  200  and the artemia waste removal is controlled by saltwater return flow rate  320  of the artemia subsystem  300 . Output signals  756  to the aquatic specie subsystem  400 ,  1100  are also connected to the output controller  750  for control by the microprocessor  720 . The output signals  756  to the aquatic specie subsystem  400 ,  1100  include heater control  416 ,  1116  for controlling temperature, oxygen flow control  450 ,  1150  for controlling dissolved oxygen, and saltwater return flow rate  420 ,  1120  to the aquatic specie subsystem  400 ,  1100  for controlling waste removal and volume. In the distributed aquaculture system  800 , control of the waste flow  1142  from the aquatic specie subsystem  1100  involves controlling valve  1143 , control of saltwater return  1120  involves controlling valve  1121 , control of oxygen flow  1150  involves controlling valve  1151 , and control of saltwater replenishment  1108  involves controlling valve  1168 . Note that the pH of the aquatic specie subsystem  400  is controlled by the saltwater return flow rate  220  of the algae subsystem  200 , and the aquatic specie feed rate is controlled by varying the saltwater return flow rate  320  of the artemia subsystem  300 . 
   Turning now to  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 8  shows a distributed aquaculture system  800  according to the present invention using nursery tanks. The distributed aquaculture system  800  includes a filtration subsystem  1200  (see FIG.  12 ), one or more algae subsystems  900  (see FIG.  9 ), one or more artemia subsystems  1000  (see FIG.  10 ), one or more aquatic specie nursery subsystem  810  (see FIG.  11 ), one or more aquatic specie final growout subsystem  1100  (see FIG.  11 ), a data acquisition and control subsystem  700  (see FIG.  7 ), and a saltwater replenishment source  808 . The flow from the one or more aquatic specie nursery subsystem  810  to the one or more aquatic specie final growout subsystem  1100  is preferably by gravity feed. The filtration subsystem  1200  is described below regarding  FIG. 12 , and accepts a waste stream from the aquatic specie final growout subsystem  1100  and provides a saltwater return to the algae subsystem  900 , the artemia subsystem  1000 , the aquatic specie nursery subsystem  810 , and the aquatic specie final growout subsystem  1100 . Algae are grown in the algae subsystem  900  and flows to the artemia subsystem  1000 , the aquatic specie nursery subsystem  810 , and the aquatic specie final growout subsystem  1100 . Adult artemia in the artemia subsystem  1000  feed on the algae and produce small artemia, which flow to the aquatic specie nursery subsystem  810  and the aquatic species subsystem  1100 . The aquatic specie to be produced by the system  800  is introduced into the aquatic nursery subsystem  810  at an immature stage, raised for an initial growth period, and then transferred to the aquatic specie final growout subsystem  1100  to be raised to an adult stage for harvesting. These immature species are contained in the aquatic specie nursery subsystem  810  and the aquatic specie final growout subsystem  1100  and feed on the algae and small artemia in the aquatic specie nursery subsystem  810  and the aquatic specie final growout subsystem  1100 . Although the algae reduces the affect of waste products from the artemia and aquatic specie, the system  800  utilizes a unique filtration subsystem  1200  that removes additional waste from the system during growth of the aquatic specie being produced. The data acquisition and control subsystem  700  is critical for maintaining a suitable environment for the algae, artemia, and aquatic specie being produced by automatically monitoring and regulating a number of critical environmental parameters. A source for saltwater replenishment  808  is provided to the algae subsystem  900 , the artemia subsystem  1000 , the aquatic specie nursery subsystem  810 , and the aquatic specie final growout subsystem  1100  for replacing saltwater lost from evaporation and leakage. The system  800  may include one or more aquatic specie nursery subsystems  810 . As noted above, although the method and system of the present invention may be used to produce a variety of aquatic species, the preferred embodiments disclose the production of shrimp. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 9  shows an algae subsystem  900  for use in a distributed aquaculture system  800  shown in FIG.  8 . The algae subsystem  900  uses one or more sealed or open containers  910 , such as bags or tanks, that contain saltwater and algae  918 . The saltwater typically has a salinity of from 30 to 35 parts per thousand. Lighting  914  provides energy for proper algae growth. The light output  934  is monitored by the data acquisition and monitoring subsystem  700 . Sensors within the algae collection container  980  connected to the data acquisition and monitoring subsystem  700  provide continuous monitoring of pH  926 , algae density  928 , temperature  930 , micronutrients  936 , and dissolved oxygen  932 . Since algae growth naturally causes the pH of the algae subsystem  900  to increase, controlled amounts of carbon dioxide gas (CO2)  924  is introduced into the system to maintain the pH within acceptable levels. The amount of CO2 gas  924  introduced into the sealed or open containers  910  is determined by a control valve  960 , which is controlled by the data acquisition and control subsystem  700 . Each sealed container  910  may receive saltwater return  920  from the filtration subsystem  1200  through a control valve  962 , which is controlled by the data acquisition and control subsystem  700 . Algae flow  922  from each sealed container  910  to the artemia subsystem  1000  and aquatic specie subsystem  1100  is determined by a control valve  964 , which is controlled by the data acquisition and control subsystem  700 . The algae flow  922  will feed from the selected sealed or open containers  910 , in the algae subsystem  900  to the algae collection container  980 . The outflow from the algae collection container  970  feeds the artemia subsystem  1000  and the aquatic specie subsystem  1100 . The algae outflow  970  is controlled by the data acquisition and control subsystem  700 . Saltwater replenishment  908  having a typical salinity of 30 to 35 parts per thousand is provided through a control valve  968 , which is controlled by the data acquisition and control subsystem  700 , to replace saltwater losses, such as by evaporation and leakage. An optimal saltwater return rate  920  to each sealed container  910  will keep the algae density  928  between approximately 100 thousand to 10 million cells per milliliter for the preferred strain of algae (tajitian strain of  isochrysis galbana ). 
   Turning now to  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 10  shows an artemia subsystem  1000  for use in a distributed aquaculture system  800 . The artemia subsystem  1000  utilizes sealed or open containers  1010 , such as bags or tanks, which contains saltwater, algae  1018 , and artemia  1060 . Sensors within the artemia collection container  1080  continuously monitor artemia density  1034 , temperature  1030 , pH  1026 , ammonia  1038 , algae density  1040 , waste  1042  and dissolved oxygen  1032 . These sensors are connected to the data acquisition and control subsystem  700 . Lighting  1014  provides energy for proper algae growth. The light output  1034  is also monitored by the data acquisition and monitoring subsystem  700 . Although waste from the artemia  1060  causes the pH of the artemia subsystem  1000  to decrease, the presence of the algae  1018  will increase the pH, thereby stabilizing the pH of the artemia subsystem  1000 . Each sealed container  1010  may receive saltwater return  1020  from the filtration subsystem  1200  through a control valve  1062 . The algae  1018  also serve as food for the artemia  1060 . The adult artemia  1060  produce small artemia on a continuous basis. A 400-micron screen  1014  in each container  1010  prevents the adult artemia  1060  from leaving the artemia subsystem  1000  in the flow  1022  through a control valve  1064 , which is controlled by the data acquisition and monitoring subsystem  700 , to the artemia collection container  1080 . This allows the artemia waste and small artemia to pass from the artemia subsystem  1000  to the aquatic specie subsystem  1100  in the flow  1070 . In an alternative embodiment, the 400-micron screen is removed from the artemia subsystem  1000  to allow both small artemia and adult artemia to flow from the artemia subsystem  1000  to the aquatic specie nursery subsystem  810  and the aquatic specie growout subsystem  1100 . The flow rate to the aquatic specie subsystem  1022  from each sealed container  1010  will depend on the return flow rate  1020  from the filtration subsystem  600  and the flow rate  1024  from the algae subsystem  900 . The algae flow  1024  from the algae subsystem  900  is controlled by a valve  1023 , which is controlled by the data acquisition and control subsystem  700 . The saltwater return from the filtration subsystem  1020  is controlled by a valve  1021 , which is controlled by the data acquisition and control subsystem  700 . An optimal flow rate  1022  to the aquatic specie subsystem from each sealed container  1010  adequately removes waste from the artemia subsystem  1000  and also provides sufficient artemia  1060  to the aquatic specie subsystem  1100  for food. A flow of oxygen  1044  in the form of air is introduced into the artemia subsystem  1000  for controlling the level of dissolved oxygen. The flow of oxygen is controlled by a valve  1043 , which is controlled by the data acquisition and control subsystem  700 . Saltwater replenishment  1008  to the artemia subsystem  1000  is controlled by a valve  1068 , which is controlled by the data acquisition and control subsystem  700 . The saltwater level in the artemia subsystem  1000  is determined by the return flow rate  1020  from the filtration subsystem  600  and the algae subsystem  1024 . The preferred artemia species  1060  originate from the Great Salt Lake in Utah. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 11  shows an aquatic specie subsystem  810 ,  1100  for use in a distributed aquaculture system  800 . The configuration shown in  FIG. 11  is used for both the aquatic specie nursery subsystem  810  and the aquatic specie final growout subsystem  1100  shown in FIG.  8 . The aquatic specie subsystem  810 ,  1100  utilizes one or more sealed or open containers  1110 , such as bags or tanks. Habitat structures  1112  are positioned in the aquatic species subsystem  810 ,  1100  for providing a greater habitat surface area for increasing the amount of aquatic species within the subsystem. The aquatic specie subsystem  810 ,  1100  also contains aquatic specie  1168 , preferably shrimp, algae  1118 , saltwater, and artemia  1160 . Sensors contained within the waste collection container  1180  connected to the data acquisition and control subsystem  700  continuously monitor artemia density  1134 , aquatic specie size  1140 , aquatic specie density  1141 , temperature  1130 , pH  1126 , dissolved oxygen  1132 , algae density  1144 , waste  1146 , and ammonia  1138 . Lighting  1113  provides energy for proper algae growth. The light output  1134  is monitored by the data acquisition and monitoring subsystem  700 . The algae  1118  and the artemia  1160  are food for the aquatic specie  1168 . A graded screen  550 , preferably nylon material, provides filtration of aquatic specie waste products and allows waste flow  1170  to the filter subsystem  1200 . The aquatic specie subsystem  810 ,  1100  is initially stocked with live, commercially available postlarvae shrimp in salt water maintained at a low level. As the shrimp grow from about 0.5 inches in length to about 5 inches in length, the system  800  automatically adds saltwater to the aquatic specie subsystem  810 ,  1100  to gradually increase the saltwater level and effective volume of the aquatic specie subsystem  810 ,  1100 . As the saltwater level of the aquatic specie subsystem  810 ,  1100  increases and the shrimp  1168  grow in size, larger screen openings of the graded screen  550  allow passage of larger waste particles while preventing the shrimp  1168  from passing through the graded screen. The method of slowly increasing the level of the saltwater and the effective volume of the aquatic specie subsystem  810 ,  1100  has an additional beneficial feature. When the shrimp  1168  are small, the effective volume of the aquatic specie subsystem  810 ,  1100  is also small, allowing a higher and more beneficial concentration of food. As the shrimp  1168  grow larger, the increase in effective volume maintains an optimum food density and optimum shrimp separation. Waste products pass through the graded screen  550  and on to the filter subsystem  1200 . Since the aquaculture system  800  is a closed system, the outflow rate  1170  to the filtration subsystem  1200  will depend on the return flow rate  1120  from the filtration subsystem  1200 , the flow rate  1122  from the artemia subsystem  1000 , and the flow rate  1124  from the algae subsystem  900 . An algae inflow valve  1125 , which is controlled by the data acquisition and control subsystem  700 , controls the flow  1124  from the algae subsystem  900 . An artemia inflow valve  1123 , which is controlled by the data acquisition and control subsystem  700 , controls the flow  1122  from the artemia subsystem  1000 . A saltwater return valve  1121 , which is controlled by the data acquisition and control subsystem  700 , controls the flow  1120  from the filtration subsystem  1200 . Waste flow valves  1143  from each of the sealed or open containers, which are controlled by the data acquisition and control subsystem  700 , control the flow  1142  from each sealed container  1110  to the filtration subsystem  1200 . An oxygen control valve  1151 , which is controlled by the data acquisition and control subsystem  700 , controls the flow of air  1150  to the aquatic specie subsystem  810 ,  1100 . A saltwater replenishment valve  1168 , which is controlled by the data acquisition and control subsystem  700 , controls the flow  1108  for replenishing saltwater due to evaporation and leakage. An optimum flow rate will adequately remove waste products from the aquatic specie subsystem  810 ,  1100  at a density of from 0.25 to 0.5 pounds of shrimp per gallon of saltwater. The preferred shrimp species is  Litopenaeus Vannamei  (Pacific White Shrimp). 
   Turning now to  FIG. 12 ,  FIG. 12  shows a filtration subsystem  1200  for use in an aquaculture system  800 . The input flow  1210  from the aquatic specie final growout subsystem  1100  to the filtration subsystem  1200  is depicted in FIG.  8  and the output flow  1212  to the algae subsystem  900 , the artemia subsystem  1000 , the aquatic specie nursery subsystem  810  and the aquatic specie subsystem  1100  is explained with regard to FIG.  8 -FIG.  11 . The input flow  1210  to the filtration system  1200  is connected to the sealed container waste outflow  1142  from the aquatic specie subsystem  1100  after passing through a graded filter screen  550 . The output flow  1212  from the filtration subsystem  1200  is connected to the saltwater return of the aquatic specie subsystem  1120 . The output flow  1214  from the filtration subsystem  1200  is connected to the saltwater return  920  of the algae subsystem  900  and the saltwater return  1020  of the artemia subsystem  1000 . As noted above, waste enters the input flow  1210  filtration subsystem  1200  from the aquatic specie subsystem  1100  after passing through the graded filter screen  550 . Although the algae in the system  800  will remove micronutrients from the system created by the aquatic specie waste products, additional filtration allows for higher aquatic specie densities. A saltwater pump  1220  pumps the waste product stream  1210 , which has passed through the graded filter screen  550 , through a mechanical filter  1230  to remove particulate material. The mechanical filter  1230  contains various filters ranging in size from 500 microns down to a preferred filter size of about 5 microns, thereby trapping particulate material having a size greater than 5 microns. The waste stream is then divided into two paths. The first path is passed through a biofilter  1240  to convert ammonia into nitrates for use as a nutrient for the algae in the aquatic specie subsystem  1100 . After filtration of the waste stream, a plumbing and valve network returns the filtered and cleansed saltwater to the aquatic specie subsystem  1100 . The return flow rates to this subsystem, which is controlled by the data acquisition and control subsystem  700  and respective return valves, determines the flow rate through to the subsystem. The data acquisition and control subsystem  700  also controls the return flow rate  1120  of the aquatic specie subsystem  1100  to maintain adequate filtration of the aquatic specie subsystem  1100 ′. This flow rate  1120  increases as the aquatic specie grow in size, and also affects the amount of time that the artemia stay in the aquatic specie subsystem  1100 . The second path within the filtration subsystem  1200  is passed through another mechanical filter  1250 . The mechanical filter  1250  contains various filters ranging in size from 50 microns down to a preferred filter size of about 5 microns, thereby trapping particulate material having a size greater than 5 microns. The waste stream then passes through a heat exchanger  1260  and pasteurization chamber  1270  that first heats the waste stream to a preferred 180 degrees F. and then cools the waste stream to a preferred 80 degrees F. This method sterilizes the waste stream prior to use in the algae subsystem  900  and the artemia subsystem  1000  that destroys any living organisms that may have entered the waste stream and which might compete and contaminate the preferred algae. After filtration of the waste stream, a plumbing and valve network returns the filtered and cleansed saltwater to the algae subsystem  900 , and the artemia subsystem  1000 . The return flow rates to each of these subsystems, which is controlled by the data acquisition and control subsystem  700  and respective return valves, determines the flow rate through each subsystem. The data acquisition and control subsystem  700  will vary the return flow rate  920  of the algae subsystem  900  to maintain a specific range of algae density  928 . This flow rate  920  also determines the food supply rate to the artemia. The data acquisition and control subsystem  700  also controls the return flow rate  1020  of the artemia subsystem  1000  to maintain an adequate supply of artemia to the aquatic specie. The flow rate  1020  increases as the aquatic specie grow in size, and also determines the filtration rate of the artemia subsystem  1000 . The data acquisition and control subsystem  700  will monitor the nutrient level of the waste stream and vary the flow of supplemental nutrients  1280  to the waste stream, if necessary, after it leaves the pasteurization chamber  1270 . Also, periodically, a steam sterilizer  1290  will steam sterilize the plumbing from the heat exchanger  1260  to the algae subsystem  900  and the artemia subsystem  1000  to destroy any living organisms that might develop within the plumbing after pasteurization. 
   Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, it should be apparent that modifications and adaptations to those embodiments might occur to persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8