Fish & Chip Day

Celebrating Fish and Chip Day

Celebrating Fish and Chip Day is a perfect way to honor our love for all things fish from the crispy, golden bites we enjoy at our favorite fish and chip shops to the vital importance of sustainable fishing practices that safeguard these delicious treats for generations to come. Recently, our team had the privilege of supporting a local Trout and Salmon Hatchery by automating their water control systems highlighting how technology can play a key role in sustainable aquaculture. We installed electric actuated PVC ball valves and plastic solenoid valves, which enable precise, remote control over water flow, filtration, and chemical dosing, ensuring a healthy environment for the fish while also cutting operational costs. 

Recirculating Aquaculture Systems

(RAS) represent a sustainable and innovative approach to fish farming by minimizing water usage and maintaining optimal health conditions for aquatic life. These systems operate by continuously filtering and reusing water within a closed-loop environment, significantly reducing the need for fresh water exchange, which is crucial in areas facing water scarcity. Bio-filtration plays a vital role in RAS, effectively converting ammonia produced by fish waste into less harmful compounds, thus preventing toxicity and promoting a healthy aquatic environment. The key benefit of RAS lies in its ability to sustain high-density fish populations while conserving water resources, making it an environmentally friendly and economically viable solution for modern aquaculture.

The Process

The client explained that his fish hatchery is a facility for breeding, hatching, growing, and rearing fish. He described the process of manually stripping wild female salmon and trout, called hens, to collect eggs, which are then fertilized with sperm from male fish, or cocks. After fertilization, the eggs are tested and, if healthy, placed in rearing tanks. During the incubation stage, water conditions such as flow, temperature, and chemical levels are carefully monitored until the eggs hatch. Once hatched, the young fish, or fry, are transferred to larger tanks to grow into adult fish. Throughout this growing phase, water quality is continuously managed, and food and essential chemicals are added to support healthy development.

The Project

The main aim of the project was to grow the hatchery so our client could provide a variety of trout sizes to private fishing clubs, local fish processing plants, and support the release of migratory salmon back into the river. Since hatchery systems tend to be costly and their success hinges on being budget-friendly and efficient, we focused on developing a solution that was both affordable and highly effective, ensuring it would meet their needs and stand out in the market.

The Solution 

Our solution involved recommending our Electric Actuated Economy PVC Plastic Ball Valves as a key component of a comprehensive system designed to enhance water management. These valves, combined with manual PVC-U ball valves connected to our HQ004-HQ006 electric actuators offering IP65 protection, limit switches, space heaters, and manual override allow for reliable remote control and automation. The integration of these actuated valves with solenoid valves, plastic fittings, and PVC piping enables precise control and isolation of filtered river water, system backflushing, and chemical dosing. This approach successfully met the client's specifications and budget, leading to the acceptance of our proposal, the award of the project, and ongoing work. For more information or to discuss your project, contact Valves Online's technical team via email or at our phone numbers: 01822 855600 or 0161 480 5700.

Plastic Electric Actuated Ball Valves

Valves online offer Plastic Electric Actuated Ball Valves that are lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and simple to install, making them perfect for a wide range of industries, from water treatment to chemical processing. These valves are built to last, reducing maintenance and downtime, while the electric actuator provides precise, automated control for seamless integration into your existing setup. With their durability and ease of use, our plastic ball valves help you keep things flowing smoothly and confidently, no matter the application.

Plastic Solenoid Valves

Plastic solenoid valves from Valves Online are a fantastic option for a variety of industrial and commercial needs, thanks to their durability and resistance to corrosion. These valves use an electromagnetic coil to precisely control the flow of liquids or gases, making them perfect for automation, water treatment, and chemical processes. With a wide selection of materials like PVC, polypropylene, and PVDF, they’re designed to work with different media and conditions. Plus, they’re easy to install, low-maintenance, and budget-friendly, which is why engineers and technicians trust them for efficient and reliable fluid control.

Sustainability 

Fish and Chip Day, is a great reminder of how important sustainable fish farming is to protect our oceans and keep enjoying this classic dish for years to come. By supporting farms that use eco-friendly practices, especially when it comes to popular species like salmon and trout, we help prevent overfishing and reduce environmental harm. Reliable equipment, Valves Online, plays a key role in creating healthy, controlled environments for the fish. So, next time you indulge in fish and chips, remember that choosing sustainable options not only tastes good but also helps safeguard our oceans and ensures future generations can continue to enjoy this beloved comfort food.

Our Trusted Suppliers:

Cepex 

Explore the world of fluid handling with Cepex, a trusted European manufacturer known for their high-quality plastic valves and fittings like PVCU, ABS, PVDF, PPH, and PVCC. Whether you need manual or automated ball valves, butterfly valves, diaphragm valves, or check valves, Cepex offers reliable solutions that are vital across many industries, especially in aquaculture. Fish hatcheries for salmon and trout depend on their durable, corrosion-resistant equipment to maintain perfect water flow and quality. As official distributors of Cepex and Cepex Extreme Valves, Valves Online provides a wide selection of these dependable products, helping hatcheries and fish farms operate smoothly and sustainably.

Durapipe 

Discover the innovative solutions from Valves Online, the official distributor of Durapipe (FIP) by Aliaxis, known for their top-quality plastic valves and fittings. Their wide selection includes easy-to-configure manual and automated PVC and ABS ball valves, making it simple to find the right fit for your needs. These durable valves are especially important in the aquaculture industry, such as salmon and trout hatcheries, where precise water control is essential for healthy fish development. Durapipe (FIP) valves help maintain clean water, regulate flow, and keep hatchery systems running smoothly, supporting sustainable and efficient fish farming practices.

Plimat 

 At Valves Online, we're passionate about providing top-quality industrial pressure pipe systems, made possible by Plimat’s trusted expertise and craftsmanship. Their wide range of PVC and ABS valves, fittings, pipes, and accessories are essential for everything from water supply to complex industrial processes. Whether it’s ball valves, butterfly valves, or check valves, these reliable components are vital in many setups, including aquaculture. For salmon and trout hatcheries, these valves help keep water clean, manage flow, and keep water recirculation running smoothly. By choosing Plimat’s durable piping solutions, hatchery operators can improve system efficiency, longevity, and biosecurity supporting sustainable and successful fish farming.

VOLT 

The VOLT brand offers a wide variety of high-quality, affordable valves, actuated, ball, butterfly, solenoid, strainers, and switchboxes that are trusted for their reliability and quick availability. These valves are essential in modern fish farming hatcheries, particularly for species like salmon and trout, where precise control of water flow is crucial for maintaining optimal water quality, temperature, and oxygen levels key elements for healthy fish growth. By adopting VOLT’s advanced valve solutions, hatchery operators can boost efficiency, support sustainability, and foster the development of top-quality fish stocks, making VOLT a trusted choice in both industrial and aquaculture settings.

Burkert 

Discover how Bürkert, a global leader in measurement and control systems for liquids and gases, is making a real difference in sustainable fish farming, especially in salmon and trout hatcheries. Their cutting-edge German-engineered products like solenoid valves, process valves, and controllers help ensure precise control of water quality, oxygen, and temperature, all vital for healthy fish development. Through Valves Online, the top official distributor in the South West, farmers and hatchery operators have access to a wide range of these high-quality systems, helping them create better environments for their fish while promoting more sustainable and efficient aquaculture practices.

Gemu

We're diving into how high-quality valves and control systems are essential for successful aquatic farming, especially in salmon and trout hatcheries. Gemü, a trusted name in the industry, provides durable metal and plastic valves, measurement tools, and control systems like solenoid, diaphragm, angle seat, and relief valves key to managing water flow and maintaining a healthy environment for fish. Partnering with Valves Online, their official distributor, ensures hatcheries get reliable components to keep water quality, flow, and biosecurity at the highest standards. Whether in freshwater or marine settings, these dependable valve solutions support sustainable, efficient fish farming to meet the rising global demand for responsibly farmed salmon and trout.