6 Août 2026

Fish Farming Tanks: Bolted Steel Tanks or Concrete Ponds – Which Is the Right Choice for Your Operation?

fish-farming-bolted-steel-tank-apro-industrie

With global demand for farmed fish continuing to rise and worldwide aquaculture production reaching record levels, fish farming operations must modernize their infrastructure to improve competitiveness and meet increasingly demanding market requirements.

130.9 million tonnes

Global aquaculture production in 2022.

Source: FAO, 2022.

200.000 tonnes/year

French aquaculture production.

Source : FranceAgriMer.

Are you looking for a reliable fish farming tank to build, expand, or modernize your aquaculture facility? The choice between a concrete pond and a bolted steel tank has a direct impact on operating costs, commissioning times, and future expansion possibilities.

Although concrete has long been the preferred option, it presents several limitations: lengthy construction schedules, significant civil engineering work, cracking risks, and more demanding maintenance requirements. Today, bolted steel tanks provide a durable, scalable, and fast-to-install alternative for modern fish farming operations.

Key Takeaways

Fast installation thanks to prefabricated, factory-coated panels
Complete tank kit up to 1,500 m³ transportable on a single 38-ton truck
Reduced footprint to maximize available land use
Dismantlable and relocatable installation that can evolve with the site
Reduced civil engineering requirements and lower project carbon footprint
Excellent corrosion resistance with minimal maintenance
Scalable solution suitable for intensive aquaculture projects and RAS systems

What Is Fish Farming?

Fish farming, or pisciculture, involves raising fish in a controlled environment in ponds, tanks, or other dedicated facilities for production intended either for human consumption or for restocking natural waterways.

Different Types of Fish Farming

Fish farming encompasses various production systems depending on the species being raised and the objectives of the operation.

Fish may be cultivated in ponds, flow-through raceways, rearing tanks, or recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). These systems provide different levels of control over water quality, water circulation, and feeding practices. Some producers also use cage farming in lakes, reservoirs, or coastal environments, while others prefer land-based facilities that offer greater operational control.

A wide range of aquatic species can be farmed, including trout, salmon, perch, carp, and many others. Depending on the production model, operators must adapt tank capacity, water circulation systems, feeding equipment, and storage infrastructure.

Infrastructure selection directly affects water quality, fish welfare, and overall production performance. Fish and other aquaculture products may be intended for food production, restocking programs, or specialized markets. Proper management of tank volumes and production parameters helps reduce health risks and improve profitability.

A Solution Designed for Aquaculture Requirements

Aquaculture infrastructure must comply with particularly demanding technical and sanitary requirements.

Challenging Technical and Operational Conditions

Fish farming tanks are continuously exposed to significant hydraulic, mechanical, and environmental stresses. Structures must withstand constant humidity, temperature fluctuations, cleaning operations, and the constraints of daily production activities.

The performance and reliability of these installations directly influence fish health and production stability.

Materials Designed for Intensive Use

The choice of materials plays a critical role in the long-term durability of aquaculture infrastructure.

APRO Industrie's bolted steel tanks are manufactured from glass-fused-to-steel (GFS) or epoxy-coated steel, making them well suited to the demanding conditions of modern fish farming operations.

Watertightness is ensured by a food-grade sealant specifically designed for applications involving water used in aquaculture. The sealant has undergone migration testing by an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory and complies with European regulations governing materials intended for food-contact applications. It is also recognized for use within HACCP-based food safety management systems through ISEGA certification.

Faster Installation Than Concrete

Unlike concrete structures, which require extensive civil engineering work and curing times, bolted steel tanks are prefabricated in the factory and assembled directly on site.

Factory-coated panels ensure consistent quality while significantly reducing construction schedules and operational disruptions.

Optimized Logistics

The modular panel design offers major logistical advantages. Depending on the configuration, all panels and components required for a tank installation of up to 1,500 m³ can be transported on a single 38-ton truck. This reduces transportation requirements, logistics costs, and the environmental impact of the project.

Ideal for Space-Constrained Sites

Thanks to their vertical design, bolted steel tanks can store large volumes while requiring relatively little ground space.

Tank height can be adapted to site constraints and required capacities, maximizing available storage volume. This is particularly advantageous for facilities located where land availability is limited or expensive, as well as for expansion projects on operational sites with restricted space.

A More Sustainable and Responsible Solution

Reduced Carbon Footprint

The industrialized manufacturing process reduces the need for extensive on-site civil engineering work and minimizes material transportation.

Compared with traditional concrete construction, this approach contributes to lowering the overall carbon footprint of the project.

Recyclable Materials

Steel is fully recyclable and supports circular economy principles, making it an attractive option for aquaculture operators pursuing sustainability objectives.

Long Service Life with Minimal Maintenance

Infrastructure durability has a direct impact on long-term operating costs.

Concrete structures may develop cracks or surface degradation over time, requiring potentially costly repairs. Thanks to their protective coatings, bolted steel tanks offer excellent corrosion resistance while simplifying cleaning and maintenance operations.

A Scalable Solution for Growing Operations

Fish farming businesses often need to increase production capacity or modify facilities without interrupting operations.

Easy Capacity Expansion

The modular design allows production capacities to be increased progressively according to operational needs while controlling investment costs and minimizing disruption.

Flexibility Beyond Concrete Structures

Unlike concrete installations, which are often difficult and expensive to modify, bolted steel tanks offer exceptional adaptability.

Storage volumes can be increased or new tanks added using the same construction principle.

Relocatable Installations

Unlike concrete structures that remain permanently attached to their construction site, bolted steel tanks can be dismantled, relocated, and reassembled elsewhere.

This provides valuable flexibility when operations are reorganized, expanded, or transferred.

Compatible with Modern Aquaculture Equipment

Modern fish farming facilities incorporate numerous technical systems designed to optimize production, including:

Filtration systems
Water circulation piping
Pumping equipment
Oxygenation systems
Water quality monitoring instruments

Bolted steel tanks easily integrate with these technologies thanks to their modular design. They can accommodate various hydraulic systems and support PVC or fiberglass connections depending on project requirements.

Tanks Suitable for RAS Applications

Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) allow operators to maintain precise control over production parameters while significantly reducing water consumption.

Thanks to their watertight design and modularity, APRO Industrie's bolted steel tanks integrate seamlessly into RAS facilities and other advanced aquaculture projects.

Comparison: Concrete Pond vs. Bolted Steel Tank

Operational Criteria	Concrete Pond	APRO Bolted Steel Tank
Project start-up speed	Extensive civil works and curing times	Rapid assembly of prefabricated factory-coated panels
Impact on existing operations	Heavier construction activities	Faster and less disruptive installation
Logistics costs	Multiple material deliveries and site interventions	Complete tank kit transportable on a single truck (up to 1,500 m³ depending on configuration)
Surface treatment	Often performed on site	Factory-applied coatings ensure consistent quality
Durability	Risk of cracking over time	Excellent corrosion resistance
Cleaning and maintenance	Can become more demanding over time	Smooth surfaces simplify cleaning
Land optimization	Requires larger footprint for equivalent volume	Vertical design maximizes usable volume
Capacity expansion	Often complex and costly	Simple modular expansion
Site reorganization	Permanent installation	Dismantlable and relocatable
Environmental performance	Higher material and resource consumption	Reduced civil engineering and optimized transportation
Investment longevity	Difficult to reuse	Can be redeployed to another site
RAS compatibility	Possible with additional adaptations	Easily integrated into RAS systems

APRO Industrie Expertise for Fish Farmers

Tailor-Made Technical Solutions

APRO Industrie designs and supplies bolted steel tanks specifically adapted to aquaculture requirements.

Available in capacities ranging from 4 m³ to 10,000 m³, these solutions are suitable for both small-scale fish farms and large industrial aquaculture projects.

Each installation is custom-engineered according to storage volumes, operational requirements, and site-specific constraints.

Discover the full APRO Industrie range and find the solution best suited to your species, production volumes, and operational requirements.

VIEW APRO STORAGE TANK SOLUTIONS

Support from Design to Commissioning

Available in glass-fused-to-steel or epoxy-coated steel, APRO Industrie solutions are engineered to deliver durable, high-performance, and scalable infrastructure while reducing the constraints associated with traditional concrete construction.

With factory-coated panels, compact footprints, optimized transportation, dismantlable designs, and outstanding corrosion resistance, APRO Industrie bolted steel tanks provide a high-performance alternative for fish farming projects involving new construction, expansion, or facility modernization.

FAQ – Fish Farming Tanks

Why choose a bolted steel tank instead of a concrete pond?

Bolted steel tanks offer faster installation, greater scalability, and reduced maintenance compared with concrete structures, which are generally more complex and time-consuming to build and modify.

Are bolted steel tanks suitable for intensive aquaculture systems?

Yes. They are specifically designed to withstand the hydraulic, mechanical, and sanitary demands of intensive fish farming operations. Their corrosion-resistant coatings and easy-to-clean surfaces help maintain optimal farming conditions while reducing maintenance requirements.

What is the service life of a bolted steel tank?

Thanks to glass-fused-to-steel and epoxy coating technologies, these tanks provide excellent corrosion resistance and long-term durability with limited maintenance.

Can an existing installation be expanded?

Yes. Their modular design allows operators to increase storage capacity or add new production units as requirements evolve.

Is the water safe for fish?

Yes. APRO Industrie tanks use sealing systems tested for water-contact applications. Compliance testing confirms their suitability for aquaculture applications while helping maintain water quality.

Can a bolted steel tank be dismantled and relocated?

Yes. Unlike concrete ponds, bolted steel tanks can be dismantled and reinstalled at another location, helping preserve the value of the investment in the event of expansion or relocation.

What tank capacity should I choose for a fish farm?

Capacity requirements vary from a few thousand liters to several thousand cubic meters depending on species, production systems, and output targets.

Are bolted steel tanks suitable for freshwater aquaculture?

Yes. They are widely used in freshwater aquaculture operations for species such as trout, perch, and carp thanks to their corrosion resistance and ease of maintenance.

What equipment can be integrated with fish farming tanks?

Installations can incorporate a wide range of accessories, including filtration systems, piping networks, oxygenation equipment, water circulation systems, and monitoring tools.