Effect of Aquaponics Hybrid System in Nutrient Removal from Clarias Gariepinus Hatchery

Abstract

Aquaponics is an efficient method that merges aquaculture and hydroponic in a single system for fish and crop growth. The wastewater inside the aquaponics system has created an issue of ammonia content. Managing the discharge water quality thus ensuring that the system will become stable and productive has been the study's main objective. On the other hand, this study also focuses on investigating the water quality parameters. A hybrid of activated carbon as absorption to the system is studied to enhance the treatment system. The investigated parameters are dissolved oxygen, pH, water temperature, ammonia nitrogen, total suspended solids (TSS) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The results revealed that adding a Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) hybrid with activated carbon to the aquaponic system has greatly improved the productivity growth while reducing the anomia nitrogen concentration at the discharge point. Besides, pH levels in aquaculture systems should be between 6.5 and 8.5. Dissolved oxygen and temperature in the aquaponic system using African catfish and lettuce throughout the experimental period were in the range of 4.0 – 6.0 mg/L of DO and 26.2°C, respectively which is suitable for both fish and plants. Besides, it was discovered that as ammonia nitrogen concentration has been effectively removed by 75%, water pH increased between 6.0 -7.8. Ammonia level in aquaponics was, in fact, below 0.1 mg/L. Total suspended solids (TSS) in recirculating aquaculture systems have a potential for African catfish wealth. Thus, the sustainability of the aquaponics system (Clarias gariepinus and lettuce) treated with activated carbon can be evaluated.