Abstract
Aquaponics system is an innovative idea which combined both aquaculture and hydroponics systems. In this study performance of four different types of water treatment technique was investigated in cocopeat media filled grow bed aquaponics system. The techniques that had been investigated were mechanical filter, biological filter, combination of both mechanical and biological filters and grow media (cocopeat) itself as filtration media. The effectiveness these techniques were assessed through (i) water quality and nutrients level of circulated water and (ii) growth rates of plant (Gynura procumbens) and Red Nile Tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus) The (i) water quality (pH, temperature, total suspended solid and dissolved oxygen) (ii) nutrient level (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) and (iii) grow rates of plant and fish were weekly measured for this study. The results revealed that cocopeat media filled grow bed only was insufficient to act as water treatment unit in the aquaponics system studied. The aquaponics system required at least a biological or mechanical filter to produce acceptable yields of fish and plant. For the long term, the combination of axial flow and biofilter with superlative ratio was suggested in order to produce the best performance of parameters studied. This integrated technique was able to maintain the water quality within the tolerance limit of fish besides supplying enough amount nutrients (especially nitrate) for the plant growth and easier maintenance work in terms of cleaning and disposal of sludge.
Highlights
Aquaculture has become one of the fastest-growing food producing sectors since 1980s and accounted for almost half (49%) of global fish consumption in 2012 and it is estimated that aquaculture would account for 62% of world’s fish supply for human consumption by 2030 [1, 2]
The dissolved oxygen (DO) in the aquaponics systems was supplied by using air pump (RS-16000) with pump maximum flow rate (~70 L/min) that connected through the air tubes and the immersed air stones for each sampling points
Nutrients concentrations, growth rate and yield of Tilapia fish and Gynura procumbens plant were measured as performance of the aquaponics system
Summary
Aquaculture has become one of the fastest-growing food producing sectors since 1980s and accounted for almost half (49%) of global fish consumption in 2012 and it is estimated that aquaculture would account for 62% of world’s fish supply for human consumption by 2030 [1, 2]. Aquaponics systems have two main components, the grow bed (the hydroponic part of the system) and the fish tank (the aquaculture part of the system). The importance of media-filled grows bed lies in its ability to provide plants with a foundation and as an anchor for it to grow. It serves as a surface area for the nitrifying process to take place and facilitates the filtration of the solid in aquaponics system. Key elements of media-filled grow bed physical properties are its ability to drain nutrient-rich water effectively so plant roots are not waterlogged and it must not contain any contaminants that could affect the water quality
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