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The daily addition of tilapia feed and tapioca starch at the C : N weight ratio of 16:1 was conducted to examine the effectiveness of biofloc‐mediated assimilation and nitrification in the zero‐water exchange tilapia cultivation tanks. Inorganic nitrogen concentrations in treatment tanks receiving feed and tapioca starch indicated profiles, which resembled the start‐up of biofilters. Assimilation was essential for the control of inorganic nitrogen concentrations prior to the occurrence of complete nitrification as confirmed by an increase in suspended solids concentration from 52 to 1180 mg SS/L, a slower rate of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and nitrite accumulation, and lower concentrations of TAN and nitrite relative to those in control tanks receiving only feed addition. Effective control of inorganic nitrogen concentrations (i.e., TAN and NO2‐N <1.0 mg N/L) was observed in both systems when complete nitrification was established after approximately 6–7 wk regardless of starch supplementation. Results from the nitrogen mass balance suggested that nitrification and, to a lesser extent, assimilation were responsible for inorganic nitrogen control in treatment tanks.

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The cultivation of diatom Skeletonema costatum was achieved in airlift photobioreactor and the system performance was compared to that of bubble column. The standard F/2 medium (Guillard’s medium) for typical diatom cultivation could only yield the best growth character when the silicon concentration increased 4 times the normal value. In terms of cell growth, the airlift photobioreactor provided better performance than the bubble column where the maximum cell concentration, specific growth rate, and productivity in the airlift were 4.6 x 106 cell mL-1, 0.07 h-1, and 6.4 x 104 cell s-1 compared with 1.8 x 106 cell mL-1, 0.04 h-1, and 2.2 x 104 cell s-1 in the bubble column of the same size (3L) and operated at the same aeration rate (superficial velocity = 1.5 cm s-1) and light intensity (34 μmol photons m−2 s−1). This was because the airlift photobioreactor allowed circulatory flow in the system which helps prevent cell precipitation and enhance light utilization efficiency. The optimal operating conditions in the airlift system which was found most optimal to cell growth were: the ratio between downcomer and riser cross sectional area (Ad:Ar) of 3.27, superficial gas velocity 1.5 cm s−1 and the light intensity 34 μmol photons m−2 s−1. Preliminary economical assessment on the cultivation of S. costatum in airlift system compared with that in bubble column was carried out, whereas the analysis for nutritional values of the obtained biomass indicated relatively high protein content