FAQ
Cube
Engineering
What are the measurements of the system?
The Cube is comÂpoÂsed of four 40 foot conÂtaiÂners. The exterÂnal dimenÂsiÂons of the sysÂtem are 12,20m x 9,70m. AddiÂtioÂnalÂly, you should calÂcuÂlaÂte a manoÂeuÂvring space of miniÂmum 1,00m for the instalÂlaÂtiÂon of the Cube.
Are the containers insulated?
Yes, we use reeÂfer conÂtaiÂners as a case for our Cube. They are desiÂgned to transÂport froÂzen goods and insuÂlaÂted with 7–10cm PU foam.
How much power does one Cube need?
The sysÂtem requiÂres elecÂtriÂciÂty around the clock. Around 85,000 kWh are geneÂraÂted per year (75,000 kWh for the mast, 10,000 kWh for proÂcesÂsing). If solar panels are instalÂled on the roof of the plant, this can cover around a third of the elecÂtriÂciÂty requirement.
Is it possible to stack the Cubes?
Yes, theoÂreÂtiÂcalÂly it is posÂsiÂble to stack the cubes. The conÂtaiÂners are in transÂporÂtaÂtiÂon opeÂraÂtiÂon full loaÂded stackable for ten times. PracÂtiÂcalÂly we have not deveÂloÂped a conÂcreÂte conÂcept with a strucÂtuÂral engiÂneer yet. So far it is not cerÂtain if the stackÂing is very pracÂtiÂcaÂble in regarÂding with fishing, total weight/soil conÂdiÂtiÂon and supÂpÂly with feed and auxiÂliaÂry materials.
What does ‚fully automated‘ mean?
FulÂly autoÂmaÂted means, that besÂiÂdes the conÂtrol of the aggreÂgaÂtes, pumps and filÂters the moniÂtoÂring and conÂtrolÂling of all proÂcess paraÂmeÂters (pH-value or salt conÂcenÂtraÂtiÂon) works fulÂly autoÂmaÂted as well.
Where does the software come from?
We deveÂloÂped the conÂtrolÂling softÂware ourselves.
Water
Which water do I need?
The Cube is filÂled with tap water which gains its saliÂniÂty by adding a speÂcial mixÂtuÂre of sea salt mineÂrals. It may also be posÂsiÂble to use well water, but that requiÂres an anaÂlyÂsis of its comÂpoÂsiÂtiÂon befoÂre.
How much water is needed?
One Cube conÂtaÂins 70m³ of water. That equÂals 70.000 litÂres.
How much waste water accumulates?
In our sysÂtem we recyÂcle 99% of the water and proÂduÂce only 1% wasÂte water per day. That equÂals 500 litÂres. The loss of water is priÂmaÂry a result of evaÂpoÂraÂtiÂon and wasÂteÂwaÂter due to rinÂsing the mechaÂniÂcal filÂters.
What can be done with the waste water?
TheÂre are difÂfeÂrent posÂsiÂbiÂliÂties to use the sewaÂge water:
Does the water have to be changed completely at some point?
No, the basin is fulÂly filÂled with the comÂmisÂsioÂning of the Cube. AfterÂwards you only replace the daiÂly loss of 500 litres.
What is the water temperature?
The water has an averaÂge temÂpeÂraÂtuÂre of 24 degrees CelÂsiÂus. In the winÂter time, the water is cooÂler and in the sumÂmer it is warÂmer. The fish can grow best at temÂpeÂraÂtures betÂween 18 and 28 degrees Celsius.
Does the water need to be heated or cooled?
Due to the usaÂge of insuÂlaÂted conÂtaiÂners and an air-to-air- heat exchÂanÂger in the sysÂtem, it is not necesÂsaÂry to heat the tap water. It is rather necesÂsaÂry to cool the water on a day to day basis in case of an extreÂme heat waves in the sumÂmer. ApproÂpriaÂte cooÂling units can be renÂted from us.
Costs, delivery & legal
Can you deliver the Cubes to other countries besides Germany?
We can ship the Cube to other countÂries in EuroÂpe as well as overÂseÂas thanks to the shipÂping conÂtaiÂners which form the basic strucÂtuÂre of our proÂduct. We currÂentÂly focuÂse stronÂgly on the GerÂman marÂket and plan interÂnaÂtioÂnaÂliÂsaÂtiÂon in the mediÂum term.
How long is the delivery time for one Cube?
Due to the lead time at our supÂpliÂers, we currÂentÂly need six to eight to pre-assemÂble a sysÂtem. We have the capaÂciÂty to proÂduÂce seveÂral sysÂtems in parallel.
How long does it take till one cube is installed on-side?
The set-up of one Cube on-site only takes a few days.
What do I need to set up a Cube?
To set up a Cube you need a builÂding perÂmit and a strip foundation.
Do I need a special training or education to operate a Cube?
The requiÂreÂments for the sysÂtem opeÂraÂtiÂon are difÂfeÂrent in every fedeÂral staÂte (in GerÂmaÂny). In some staÂtes you only need a licenÂse for fishery. In others you need a cerÂtain traiÂning for fish farÂming. The potenÂtiÂal opeÂraÂtor can get all inforÂmaÂtiÂon about the legal situaÂtiÂon at the responÂsiÂble minisÂtry for enviÂronÂment and conÂsuÂmer protection.
In order to bring claÂriÂty to the topic, we offer a speÂciÂalÂly deveÂloÂped expert traiÂning courÂse on the subÂject of recirÂcuÂlaÂtiÂon techÂnoÂloÂgy, currÂentÂly only in GerÂman. More inforÂmaÂtiÂon and regisÂtraÂtiÂon here. More inforÂmaÂtiÂon here.
Which permits do I need to process the fish?
At first, you need an apprÂoval for the slaughÂter and proÂcesÂsing parts from the local staÂte office for conÂsuÂmer proÂtecÂtion. BesÂiÂdes that, all workers who are in contÂact with food need to show an insÂtrucÂtion in accordance with § 43 infecÂtion proÂtecÂtion law (GerÂmaÂny). This food hygieÂne insÂtrucÂtion can be absolÂved for the first time at the MinisÂtry for Health and then it can annuÂalÂly refresÂhed internal.
System operation
Operation
What are the typical tasks during the operation of the Cube?
The daiÂly tasks include in parÂtiÂcuÂlar the conÂtrolÂling tasks. First of all it is important to do a visuÂal conÂtrol of the fish in the basin. Than you have to check the data that is docuÂmenÂted in the softÂware, clean the senÂsors and moniÂtor the funcÂtion of the filÂters. FurÂtherÂmoÂre you have fill the feed and salt autoÂmats up to two times a week. BesÂiÂdes that it is realÂly important to keep the basin and the whoÂle cube clean at all times.
What is the weekly expenditure of time?
For the whoÂle manageÂment of one Cube from opeÂraÂtiÂon, proÂcesÂsing, disÂtriÂbuÂtiÂon to sales you need around 40 hours in total per week. The plain opeÂraÂtiÂon of the Cube only takes 8 hours (Ø 1 h per day) und the proÂcesÂsing 20 hours. In a larÂger opeÂraÂtiÂon with mulÂtiÂple Cubes you can achieÂve greÂat synÂerÂgy effects through more effiÂciÂent proÂcesÂses and reduÂced work time. In case of a four conÂtaiÂner moduÂle you only need around 120 hours per week.
How many employees are necessary?
It makes senÂse to employ one part time worker and two temÂpoÂraÂry workers for the opeÂraÂtiÂon of one Cube to have all shifts coverÂed even in case of illÂness or vacaÂtiÂon. For the opeÂraÂtiÂon of four Cubes, we recomÂmend three full time workers and one temÂpoÂraÂry worker.
Are there certain sources of danger related to fire, people or water?
Fire: theÂre are no parÂtiÂcuÂlar sources that could cauÂse a fire. TheÂre is only the geneÂral risk that comes with the usaÂge of elecÂtriÂcal aggreÂgaÂtes (pumps, compressor)
PeoÂpÂle: the geneÂral safeÂty reguÂlaÂtiÂons of the employÂer’s liaÂbiÂliÂty insuÂrance assoÂciaÂtiÂon appÂly. AddiÂtioÂanaÂly the risk of drowÂning remains. For the bufÂfeÂring of the pH-value and the opeÂraÂtiÂon of the deniÂtriÂfiÂcaÂtiÂon we use aceÂtic acid and cauÂstÂic soda as a subÂstraÂte in difÂfeÂrent mixing ratiÂos. The typiÂcal reguÂlaÂtiÂons (perÂsoÂnal proÂtecÂtion equipÂment) apply.
Water proÂtecÂtion: our Cube is a cloÂsed sysÂtem witÂhout a conÂnecÂtion to any body of water. The tap water comes from the pipeÂline netÂwork. The wasÂte water is lead into the local wasÂte water sysÂtem. FurÂtherÂmoÂre we use disÂinÂfecÂtant to clean the equipÂment which can have water conÂtaÂmiÂnaÂting effect in a high conÂcenÂtraÂtiÂon. The manuÂfacÂtuÂred mixed conÂcenÂtraÂtiÂons that we use are harmless.
Processing
How does the fishing work?
The fishing is done by hand. First the fishes get narÂroÂwed with a trawl to be caught in a landing net.
How does the fish get killed and processed?
After the fishing we put them in a with water filÂled conÂtaiÂner. After that elecÂtriÂciÂty is conÂducÂted into the water so that the fishes get anesÂtheÂtiÂzed, so they do not feel anyÂthing. Then they are put into iced water wheÂre the orgaÂnism shuts down. After a while, when the fishes are a dead, their stoÂmach gets cut open and empÂtied. For the remÂoval of the intestiÂnes we use a machiÂne that remiÂnes of a vacuÂum. EvenÂtualÂly the abdoÂmiÂnal area is cleaÂned with brush.
Where do the fish get killed and processed?
Next to the Cube we offer an addiÂtioÂnal conÂtaiÂner for the kilÂling and proÂcesÂsing of the fish. One proÂcesÂsing conÂtaiÂner is sufÂfiÂciÂent for up to four Cubes. If you have an alreÂaÂdy exisÂting faciÂliÂty that is tiled to the ceiÂling you can use that as an alterÂnaÂtiÂve.
What happens to the intestines?
The intestiÂnes are stored in a speÂciÂfiÂcalÂly intenÂded bin. They get picked up every 1–2 weeks from a speÂcial comÂpaÂny for disÂpoÂse, that is speÂciaÂliÂzed on food disÂpoÂsal.
How is the fish stored?
The fishes are stored in a cold stoÂrage in speÂciÂalÂly intenÂded boxes for fish on ice at a temÂpeÂraÂtuÂre of 0° CelÂsiÂus. Due to that, the fishes are cooÂled optiÂmal and fresh for a long time witÂhout being comÂpleÂteÂly froÂzen.
How long is the fish durable?
FreshÂly proÂcesÂsed, corÂrectÂly stored and with a uninÂterÂruptÂed cold chain (0° CelÂsiÂus on ice) the fishes fresh for at least ten days.
Marketing & Sales
What is the market price per kilogram of fish ?
MarÂket priÂces vary for each fish speÂciÂes and depend on the oriÂgin and quaÂliÂty of the fish. In the fresh secÂtor, sea bass from conÂvenÂtioÂnal aquaculÂtuÂre (Greece, TurÂkey or CroaÂtia) is around €30 per kg for the end conÂsuÂmer. OrgaÂnic quaÂliÂty from aquaculÂtuÂre is available for around €35 per kg. Wild-caught fish cosÂts up to €60 per kg.
DepenÂding on the regiÂon (and theÂrÂeÂfoÂre proÂducÂtion cosÂts, e.g. due to higÂher rents), our cusÂtoÂmers sell their fish for betÂween €30 and €40 per kg.
Can I get support from SEAWATER for sales & marketing?
Yes, we offer you supÂport. SpeÂciÂfiÂcalÂly, we founÂded a coopeÂraÂtiÂve in 2024 with one of our cusÂtoÂmers and a fish disÂtriÂbuÂtiÂon expert. It is calÂled ‘Die GeflosÂsenÂschaft e.G.’ and is open to you if you opeÂraÂte a recirÂcuÂlaÂtiÂon sysÂtem and want more secuÂriÂty in marÂkeÂting. All proÂduÂcing memÂbers receiÂve a cerÂtain purchaÂse guaÂranÂtee as part of a supÂpÂly conÂtract. As a Gefloss memÂber, you can also use the brand, use the online shop as a platÂform and theÂre are cenÂtralÂly manaÂged marÂkeÂting and sales meaÂsuÂres to proÂmoÂte your locaÂtiÂon. If you are inteÂresÂted, pleaÂse contÂact your colÂleÂagues in the GeflosÂsenÂschaft. More inforÂmaÂtiÂon here.
Where can I buy your fish?
You can buy our fish in our online shop under www.seawaterfish.de. You can also find a varieÂty of proÂducts that we proÂduÂce from our fish.
Fish
Fish species
For which fish species is the Cube suitable?
The Cube is suiÂtaÂble for all sea or saltÂwaÂter fishes that live in warm water and do not grow too big. TheÂse include sea bass, gilÂthead, yelÂlowÂtail kingÂfiÂsh, red snapÂper, barÂraÂmunÂdi and other exoÂtic speÂciÂes. ActualÂly, we canÂnot grow salÂmon and tuna fish becauÂse they live in cold water (and cooÂling is very expenÂsiÂve in a cloÂsed sysÂtem) or rather grow too big for our basin.
Can I grow fresh water species in the Cube?
Yes, we can adjust the sysÂtem for freshwaÂter speÂciÂes. PleaÂse send us an indiÂviÂduÂal request if you are inteÂresÂted in this.
How much fish can I grow in one year?
It depends on the type of fish. For sea bass and sea bream, 7.8 tonÂnes of round fish can be bred per year.
Seedlings
Where can I get the seedlings?
DepenÂding on the speÂciÂes you can get the seedÂlings from difÂfeÂrent hatÂcheÂries all over the world. UsualÂly, the hatÂcheÂries only deliÂver larÂger quanÂtiÂties, you can order small amounts of seedÂlings through us. We altÂhough take care of the transÂporÂtaÂtiÂon of the seedÂlings to your place.
How often do I need new seedlings?
News seedÂlings are put in the Cube three times a year.
How many seedlings do I need?
That depends on the fish speÂciÂes. For sea bass or gilÂthead seabÂream, you need approÂxiÂmÂateÂly 7400 seedÂlings each time they are put into the Cube.
How big are the seedlings?
The seedÂlings whey approÂxiÂmÂateÂly 3–5 gram when they are put into the Cube.
Fish feed
How much feed is needed?
If the Cube runs on full capaÂciÂty, you need 25kg food a day. The softÂware manaÂges the amount of feed for each age group of fish in coorÂdiÂnaÂtiÂon with the averaÂge weights for the difÂfeÂrent cohorts. The feeÂding coefÂfiÂciÂent of the Cube is 1,1.
What are the main components of the feed?
TheÂre are difÂfeÂrent types of feed for each age group in our basin. That is mainÂly comÂpoÂsed of:
- corn, soy- and sunÂflower protein
- fish flour and fish oil (a side proÂduct from the proÂcesÂsiÂon of fish for human nutrition)
- krill flour (zooÂplankÂton)
- wheat
Where is the feed from?
We buy the feed from the AllÂtech CopÂpens, a comÂpaÂny in the NetÂherÂlands. You can get all inforÂmaÂtiÂon regarÂding their susÂtainaÂbiÂliÂty conÂcept here. In the long term, we plan to proÂduÂce our own feed based on sea weed or algae. ActualÂly, we apoÂloÂgiÂze for the inconÂveÂniÂence that we, as a small start-up, can’t conÂtrol the whoÂle value chain and rely on the inforÂmaÂtiÂon that are proÂviÂded by our suppliers.
How does the feeding work?
The sysÂtem feeds the fishes in each cohort autoÂmaÂtiÂcalÂly depenÂding on the stoÂcking denÂsiÂty. MeaÂning that the softÂware knows every day the numÂber and the averaÂge weight of each cohort. Based on that the softÂware calÂcuÂlaÂtes the amount of feed that is necesÂsaÂry autoÂmaÂtiÂcalÂly to stay on the growth curÂve.
Where is the feed stored?
In the Cube theÂre are three autoÂmaÂtic feeÂders. Each conÂtaÂins a filÂling voluÂme of 120 kiloÂgrams and can store the feed for a few days. FurÂtherÂmoÂre the feed can be stored outÂside of the cube in a dry and cold place in sacks or big packs.
Didn’t find the right answer?
Feel free to contÂact us using our contÂact form! We will then contÂact you and ansÂwer your quesÂtiÂon as soon as possible.