Aquaculture wastewater treatment system and method of making same

An aquaculture wastewater treatment system is provided including three wastewater treatment subsystems. The first subsystem is comprised of a fish raceway solids removal channel populated with relatively high densities of a detritivorous fish such as tilapia and/or carp, that have high potential as an efficient means of feeding on, and thereby, removing suspended solids and particulate matter that are present in the primary fish production effluent. The second wastewater treatment subsystem is comprised of an enhanced form of nitrifying reactor termed the Suspended Media Ammonia Removal Technology (SMART) biofilter reactor subsystem. This water treatment component consists of an open ditch bioreactor oxidation vessel in which water is circulated by means of one or more powered paddlewheels. The water within the SMART subsystem bioreactor vessel contains numerous polyurethane foam particles cut into cubes, spheres or other shapes, and/or plastic extruded pipe cut into various lengths, that provide an increased well-aerated surface area for the support and growth of microorganisms, including nitrifying bacteria. The third wastewater treatment subsystem in the sequential water treatment system includes a series of constructed wetlands ponds. Pre-treated effluent from the SMART subsystem is delivered to numerous large, shallow earthen ponds that are planted with mature climate tolerant bulrush plants (Scirpus sp.). The subsystems are efficient, economical, and readily scalable and adaptable to any wastewater treatment application.