CMES
Controlled microbial ecology, air-powered circulation and managed solids removal—an energy-conscious evolution of conventional biofloc.
Airlift → collector → gravity returnBIG FISH SYSTEMS · MIDRAND, SOUTH AFRICAVISITS & CONSULTATIONS STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT
AQUACULTURE ENGINEERING · GENETICS · PRODUCTION
Build the farm around the outcome.
From the first concept to the final harvest, we integrate tanks, filtration, environment, energy, genetics and feed into practical tilapia-production systems.
25+years of aquaculture experience
150+farms and projects supported
8African countries of experience
SAdesigned and manufactured
START WITH THE RIGHT FOUNDATION
There is no art in making a fish farm unnecessarily expensive.
The engineering challenge is to achieve a dependable production outcome with realistic capital, low continuous energy demand and equipment the farmer can operate and maintain.
We design backwards from the required biomass and harvest—considering climate, water, oxygen, feed, backup power, operator ability and long-term running cost before capital is committed.
Discuss what your farm must produce →CONTROLLED MICROBIAL ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS
One technology platform.
Three levels of control.
Systems are custom-sized for the intended biomass and environment. Individual components are also available for customers upgrading existing facilities.
CMES Plus
Adds a moving-bed sand bioreactor and secondary collector for biological treatment and more polished water.
Collector → sand bioreactor → polishing coneCMES Max
A scalable, multi-tank RAS approach with shared filtration, gravity return and greater control for intensive production.
Multi-tank RAS → filter bank → gravity returnAVAILABLE INDIVIDUALLYTanksRacewaysCollectorsAirliftsSand filtersManifoldsLP pumps
PURPOSE-BUILT AQUACULTURE TANKS
Not simply a place to store water.
Tank geometry affects circulation, oxygen distribution, solids movement, cleaning and usable production volume. Function must come before the cheapest purchase price.
AQUACULTURE GEOMETRYGalvanised frame · sloped transitions · quality PVC liner
TankHeightPrice
1.7 m octagon0.8–1.2 mR4,300–R5,400
2.4 m octagon0.8–1.5 mR6,300–R7,800
3.0 m octagon1.2–1.5 mR9,400–R10,800
4.0 m dodecagon1.2–1.5 mR15,600–R19,700
6.0 m dodecagon1.2–1.5 mR26,000–R33,000
8.0 m dodecagon1.2–1.5 mR39,000–R43,000
9.5 m dodecagon1.2–1.5 mR48,000–R52,000
Tank-only prices in ZAR. No VAT currently charged. Delivery, installation, filtration and supporting infrastructure are quoted separately. Prices subject to confirmation.Raceways from R450/m²
Request the complete price list →Shallow grow beds, broodstock raceways and 1.5 m grow-out systems—manufactured with functional, low-waste geometry.
CONSULTING & FARM DEVELOPMENT
Before buying equipment, invest in the correct plan.
We convert an initial idea into a technically responsible and commercially realistic aquaculture project—from a first conversation to complete layouts, risk assessments and international farm development.
BY APPOINTMENT ONLYBook and confirm by telephone or WhatsApp. Walk-in visits cannot be accommodated at our operational, biosecure fishery.
Technical consultation
A focused first hour to scope the site, objectives, investment level, infrastructure and realistic next step.
Guided fishery visit
A roughly one-hour, pre-booked walkthrough led by an appointed farm representative.
Advanced consulting
Risk assessments, permit support, site visits, production analysis and complete aquaculture farm design.
International projects
Remote and on-site consulting for African and international aquaculture developments.
COMPLETE FARM MODULES
Broodstock to harvest—or only the stage you need.
Pilot systems, eight-tank monthly grow-out modules, hatcheries and all-in-one farms give customers a clear entry point and a route to expand.
01Broodstock
02Egg collection
03Hatching
04Monosex fry
05Fingerlings
06Grow-out
07Harvest
Learn the process
A compact system for practical experience with breeders, hatching, fry and limited grow-out.
Harvest every month
An eight-month grow-out rotation designed to bring one tank towards harvest each month.
Own the cycle
Broodstock, hatching, monosex production, fingerlings and grow-out connected in one farm blueprint.
THE BUILDING IS PART OF THE SYSTEM
Design for the worst weather—not the best day of the year.
Tilapia genetics and filtration cannot overcome an unsuitable thermal environment. We match shaded tunnels, insulated spaces and SunTrap buildings to local winter minimums, solar exposure and production goals.
Climate analysisSunTrap structuresShaded tunnelsHeatingSolar & backup
Explore buildings & climate control →AFRICA TILAPIA FARM
Performance begins with the broodstock.
Africa Tilapia Farm is the genetics, broodstock and live-fish operation working hand in hand with Big Fish Systems. Commercial packages are developed around the farm’s intended hatchery output and may be supplied over an agreed three-year period.
Enquire about broodstockCommercial packages from approximately USD 2,500
NILE TILAPIA
SAINT
Southern African Improved Nile Tilapia
MOZAMBIQUE TILAPIA
SAIMT
Southern African Improved Mozambicus Tilapia
Domestic Mozambique tilapia colonies, fry and fingerlings are quoted according to size, quantity, season and availability. All live-fish supply remains subject to applicable permits and transport requirements.
TILAPIA FEED & FEED TECHNOLOGY
Better feed. Better conversion. Better farm economics.
Feed may represent 50–60% of operating expenditure. We work on nutrition and equipment together so farms can improve control over their largest recurring cost.
Starter
Highly digestible, concentrated nutrition and suitable particle size for early development.
Grower
Balanced protein, energy and digestibility for efficient juvenile biomass production.
Finisher
Economical final growth, body condition, flesh quality and controlled waste loading.
EXTRUDERS UNDER DEVELOPMENT
Feed manufacturing designed for African farms.
Simple, energy-conscious and practical to maintain—with formulation, ingredient preparation, drying and quality control treated as one process.
40 kg/hour220 kg/hour500–1,000 kg/hour
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Practical collaboration, applied on the farm.
We work with universities, public research organisations and aquaculture partners to translate research into equipment and processes suited to African conditions.
Feed technology
A Knowledge Transfer Partnership involving Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Johannesburg, focused on accessible feed-extrusion technology.
Probiotic feeds
Controlled trials investigating probiotic inclusion, post-extrusion application and practical fish performance.
Systems that are tested
CMES equipment, tanks and production layouts are developed through manufacturing and operating experience—not calculation alone.
KNOWLEDGE & TECHNICAL RESOURCES
Understand the system before requesting the quotation.
Read the longer stories behind our genetics, CMES development, bioponics and feed-extrusion work, together with practical farm concepts and illustrations.
Open the knowledge libraryTWO OPERATIONS · ONE PRODUCTION PLATFORM
Professional, evidence-led and committed to the farmer.
Big Fish Systems designs and manufactures aquaculture equipment, systems, structures and complete farms.
Africa Tilapia Farm maintains the genetics programmes and supplies broodstock, fry and fingerlings.
The platform is supported by more than 25 years of practical aquaculture experience. Founder Etienne van Heerden’s engineering and farm-development background informs the work, while the focus remains on the companies, their capabilities and the wider team.
START WITH THE RIGHT QUESTIONS
What must your farm produce?
Send us your location, available space, water source, power supply, investment range and intended production. We will help establish the correct next step.
Consultations and fishery visits are strictly by confirmed appointment.