Aquaponics - Combined Fish and Vegetable Farming

The integration of fish and vegetables creates an ideal growing environment that is more productive than conventional methods. Consequently, aquaponics is gaining more importance now a day because crop production systems are being forced towards increasing irregularities as drought, floods, storms, cyclones and diseases visit regularly. A simple aquaponic system was designed with the locally available materials.13 pants of 5 different species were grown in an area of 0.27 m2 ( Rashmi M et. al 2013). Three different methods were tested to determine the best system to grow Taro vegetable. The applied methods were T1 = aquaponics system for soilless vegetable culture in gravel bed with fish tank waste water, T2= hydroponics for soilless vegetable culture in gravel bed with tap water and T3= vegetable culture in soil media with tap water as control. Double recirculating aquaponic system (DRAPS) consisting of two independent recirculating units – a recirculating aquaculture unit for fish production and a closed hydroponic cycle for plant production which were connected unidirectional was developed (Suhl J et al 2016). Results revealed that aquaponic system offers better results than other media. This system can enhance the organic farming which could be environmental friendly. Double recirculating aquaponic system (DRAPS) with two independent cycles provides the opportunity to produce equal tomato yields compared to those obtained by conventionally used hydroponic systems. By Using DRAPS fertilizer use efficiency was also improved by 23.6%.

2. Doctorial Seminar
on
“Aquaponics – Combined fish and vegetable farming”
Under the guidance of
Dr.H.V.Hemakumar
Associate Proffessor & Head
Department of Agricultural Structures

Presented by
Ch.Apparao
BEP16-05

3. Aquaponics Defined
The integration of:
Aquaculture – Growing fish in a re-circulating
system
Ponos – The Greek word for growing plants with or
without media
 Most people relate growing plants to hydroponics since both use
nutrient rich water and both use soil-less media.

4. How Aquaponics Works
1. Fish are raised in a tank
2. Water from the fish tank is pumped to the plants
3. Bacteria convert ammonia and nitrite to nitrate
4. Plants absorb the nutrient rich water
5. Filtered water is returned to the fish tank, clean
Fish are Happy!
Plants are Happy!
We get more to eat!

5. The world faces a number of crisis today:
 Increasing population
 High fuel consumption
 Food shortages
 Global warming
 Inorganic food Consumption
 Water shortage
The best alternative for this is AQUAPONICS

6. Aquaponics is the farming of fish and plants in a single
recirculating system. The waste from the fish becomes the nutrients
for the plants, and the plants in turn remove these nutrients from the
water, purifying it for the fish.
Types of Aquaponics System:
1.Gravel Bed Culture
2.Deep Water Culture
3.Nutrient Film Technique
What is Aquaponics ?

7. AQUAPONICS CYCLE

8. Gravel Bed Culture
In this the plants are rooted in coarse gravel or aggregate media.
Bacteria grow on the media and convert the ammonia excreted by the fish to nitrate.
Plants within the grow beds remove the nitrate from the water, which then returns to
the fish in a clean and healthy form .
No mechanical or biological filtration is required as the gravel beds suit both
purposes.

9. Deep Water Culture
The water from the fish tank is filtered
mechanically and biologically to remove the solids
from suspension and convert the toxic ammonia to
nitrate.
This clean water then travels down the length of a
tank of water in which polystyrene rafts are floated.
Plants are rooted through the holes in the
polystyrene sheets and into the water below, where
the roots take up nutrients from the water.
DWC is most suited to leafy crops and there is some
discharge of water during the filtration process.

10. Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
As with DWC the water is filtered prior to going to the plants, but in this case
the plants are rooted through holes in pipes.
The tip of the root touches the bottom surface of the pipe and absorbs nutrients
from a thin film of water trickling down the length of the pipe.
This method also results in the loss of water and nutrients during filter
cleaning, and is also best suited to leafy crops.

11. Why Aquaponics ?Why Aquaponics ?
Aquaponics is not only a most enjoyable way of producing
high quality, wholesome crops as a business or for own use, but it
also has several distinct advantages over both aquaculture and
hydroponics
.

12. ADVANTAGES OF AQUAPONICS

13. Crop harvesting is quick and easy, regardless of the
weather outside
Crops can be grown all year-round.
Higher yields than conventional farming
Faster growth to market size due to optimal conditions
being maintained
Root temperature very stable resulting in fewer disease
issues than hydroponics

14. Design of small aquaponic system
S.NoComponents
Required
Specifications
1 Aquarium 55 L capacity
2 Grow bed 110 L capacity
3 Motor Boyo 2500 (any locally available motor)
4 PVC Tube 0.5 inches, 3 inches
5 Pipes 0.5 inches(length as per requirement)
6 Air pump, sponge
filter
For 55 L capacity
Aloe vera ,Cluster Beans ,Chilly, Ginger in an area of 0.27 meter
square.
Fish used: Tilapia
Neem oil and tobacco mixed with water are the organic pesticides used
in the system.
(Rashmi et. al 2013)

15. DESIGN
 The first step is to fix siphon on the grow bed. A half inch hole was
drilled on to the corner of grow bed half inch pipe is fixed on to it. the
syphon specifications is size of outer tube : radius=5cm & height=35
cm
size of syphon with cap :radius=2cm & height=15cm
siphon tube(inner) radius=1 cm & height=12.5 cm
 Then fix nutrition tube
Fill the bed with large stones.
A medium pebbles at top.
55 L fish tank is placed at bottom.
Air pump and Filter
The fish ratio is 1fish for 10 liters

16. Why are Tilapia extremely popular in aquaponic systems??
•They are easy to breed.
•They are fast growing.
•Can withstand very poor water conditions.
•Consume an omnivorous diet and are good eating.
•Fish feed ratio-60-100g/m2/day
Tilapia

17. Why do Plants like Aquaponics?
Nutrients constantly provided
Don’t have to search for water or food
Less effort needed in putting out roots
All the energy goes into growing UP not DOWN
No weed competition

18. What influences the amount of available nutrients
to plants?
Density of fish population
Size of fish
Temperature of water
Amount of uneaten fish feed in water
Availability of beneficial bacteria
Amount of plants in the system
Media present in system
Water flow rate

19. Double Recirculating Aquaponic System (DRAPS): (suhl et.al 2016)
Fig. 5. Schematic diagram of the used double recirculating aquaponic system
(DRAPS). The recirculating aquaculture system (RAS; A): fish-rearing tanks (1),
mechanical filter (sedimentation) (2), pump system (3) and trickling biofilter (5) and
pump sump (4). Recirculating hydroponic unit (B): nutrient solution tanks (8) and plant
gutters (9). Both systems are connected via a 3-chamber-pit (3-cp; 6).

20. Experimental set up
The experiments were carried out in a new constructed research
aquaponic facility located in Abt-shagen, Germany (52
◦
31 12.025 N, 13
◦

24 17.834 E).
The total area was 196 m
2
, which was divided into three areas: (i)
technical room (14 m
2
); (ii) the fish farm based on RAS (43 m
2
); (iii) a
Venlo-type greenhouse (139 m
2
).
The computer control system and a cogeneration unit were placed in the
technical room. The RAS contained four identical glass fibre fish tanks
with a total net production volume of 7.2 m
3
.
The water was cleaned by a mechanical filter (glass fibre sedimentation
tank) with a volume of 1.3 m
3
and the effluent was collected in a pump
sump with a volume of 2.34 m
3
.
 From the pump sump the water was pumped to a trickling biofilter for
nitrification to convert ammonium into nitrate.

21. The specific surface area of the filter bodies was 120 m
2
m
−3
. The
nitrified water was collected in a reception water tank (0.4 m
3
) and
flowed back to the fish rearing tanks.
The total volume of the whole RAS was around 12 m
3
. Depending
on the water quality and the fish stocking density, water treated with
the mechanical filter was removed one to three times a week into the
3-chamber pit (3-cp; 4.5 m
3
) .
The fish water removing occurred unidirectional and
discontinuously. From the 3-cp it was pumped into the storage tank
(1 m
3
) implemented in the greenhouse and was kept there until its
use for hydroponically plant production .
 Before the fish waste water was delivered to the plants, it was
adjusted in the nutrient solution tank using mineral fertilizer to
provide optimal nutrient concentrations for plant growth.

22. RESU LTS
parametersSmall scale aquaponic systemNormal cultivation
space 13 plants were grown in a area of
0.27 meter square
13 plants need atleast 4
meter square
water 55 liters 100 litres/day
Rashmi Menon article
The following inferences were made from the observation table:
1.In an aquaponic system, the space requirement is less. Also,since the ground
resistance of the media filled bed is less, allowing the roots to grow straight
easily, there is no requirement for the plant to develop a wide root system.
2. The recirculation of water makes the water requirement for cultivation
less
and water compensations weekly have to be made for evaporation losses
only.

23. METHODS WERE TESTED TO DETERMINE THE BEST METHODS WERE TESTED TO DETERMINE THE BEST
SYSTEM TO GROW TARO VEGETABLESYSTEM TO GROW TARO VEGETABLE
The applied methods were
 T
1
= aquaponics system for soilless vegetable culture in gravel
bed with fish tank waste water.
T
2
= hydroponics for soilless vegetable culture in gravel bed with
tap water and
 T
3
= vegetable culture in soil media with tap water as control.
Tilapia was used as animal species in aquaponics system (T
1
).
The healthy and uniformed Taro seedlings were used in each
method.
M.A. Salam, M. Y. Prodhan
Article

24. Treatments P ( ppm )K ( ppm )S ( ppm )
Na ( ppm
)
T1 0.539 6.167 2.746 19.891
T2 0.240 2.526 1.131 16.528
T3 18.767 122.604 40.338 229.197
The nutrient analysis of the growing media revealed that the highest
amount of nutrients were found in T3 followed by T1and T2 (Table 3).
Table 3: The average nutrient content of different treatments

25. The hypothesis are
H
0
: The performance of method T1 and T2 are equivalent.
H
1
: The performance of method T1 is greater than performance of T2
Character
t-value p-value Comment
Height
3.58 0.012** T1 Significant
Stem No.
11.79 0.000* T1 Significant
Diameter of single
stem
5.27 0.003* T1 Significant
Diameter of plant
4.92 0.009* T1 Significant
Leaf Area
3.77 0.003* T1 Significant
Table 4: Two sample t-test for morphological
study
*, **, *** means 1%, 5% and 10% level of significance

26. The hypothesis are
H
0
: The performance of method T1 and T3 are equivalent.
H
1
: The performance of method T1 is greater than performance of T3
Character t-value p-value Comment
Height
1.44 0.096*** T1 Significant
Stem No.
0.00 0.50 T1 insignificant
Diameter of single
stem
1.88 0.051*** T1 Significant
Diameter of plant
1.83 0.053*** T1 Significant
Leaf Area
1.67 0.066*** T1 Significant
Table 5: Two sample t-test to find out the best method between
T1 and T3
*, **, *** means 1%, 5% and 10% level of significance

27. Figure 5: The bar chart for coefficient of
variance of T1, T2 and T3
TreatmentP (ppm) K (ppm) S (ppm) Na (ppm)
T1 0.539 6.197 2.746 19.891
T2 0.240 2.526 1.131 16.528
T3 18.767 122.604 40.338 229.197

28. The biomass content of Taro plant at final harvest
Figure 6:The biomass content of Taro plant at final harvest

29. Figure 7: Regression analysis of fish length and weight
showed linear relationship

30. Double Recirculating Aquaponic System (DRAPS): (suhl et.al 2016)
Figure 8:Effects of hydroponics and aquaponics on fruit yield and quality.
The values represent the mean value of total tomato yield, marketable fruit
yield and non-marketable fruit yield (n = 48) produced within 28 weeks ±
standard deviation. The mean yields were tested using t-test and Mann-
Whitney U Test, respectively and small letters indicate significant
differences.

31. Figure 9:Influence of fresh water (control) and fish waste water based nutrient solu-
tions on fruit dry matter content, soluble solids content (SSC), sugar-acid ratio (SAR),
as well as lycopene and ß-carotene content. The data represent mean val-ues and ±
standard deviation (n = 9). The analysed contents were compared using t-test and
represent the mean of three repetitions in three consecutive weeks

32. Table 6:Effects of hydroponics and aquaponics on leaf area (n = 12),
number of leaves (n = 12), plant length (n = 6), and Chl NDI
*
(n =
192) of the first fully developed tomato leaf.
Treatment Leaf area per
plant (m
2
plant
-1
)
Number of
leaves
Plant length (m)ChI NDI
Hydroponic 1.36±0.15
b
21.0±0.7
a
10.8±0.46
a
0.56±0.19
a
Aquaponics 1.15±0.16
a
20.5±1.3
a
10.9±0.23
a
0.66±0.16
b

33. Table 7: Nutrients in pure fish waste water, as well as in nutrient
solutions based on mixture of fresh and fish waste water,
respectively.
Element Pure fish waste water Nutrient solution based on
Fresh water Fish waste water
Mean (mg/l) min – max (mg/l)Mean (mg/l) Mean (mg/l)
NH
4
- N 24.2±20.8 0.05-64.1 0.7±0.9 7.0±9.0
a
NO
3
-N 14.6±13.9 bld-42.7 111.3±19.4
a
157.0±50.3
b
P 8.0±5.0 0.06-15.8 67.2±34.9
a
204.9±24.5
b
K 30.2±16.7 3.2-69.1 60.0±34.9
a
63.9±43.5
a
Ca 89.3±20.1 54.2-119.8 165.0±21.1
a
227.2±67.2
b
Mg 13.9±2.4 9.2-19.3 109.9±27.7
a
106.2±28.5
a
S 38.5±8.9 15.3-50.4 216.8±62.5
b
150.3±32.3
a
Na 26.0±5.3 10.8-34.7 130.1±40.7
a
126.9±38.7
a

34. Table 8: Total yield, total fertilizer addition and fertilizer use efficiency
(FUE) caused by hydroponics and aquaponics
Hydroponics Aquaponics
Total yield per treatment (kg) 677.3 626.5
Mineral fertilizer addition (kg)15.5(100%) 11.6(74.8%)
FUE (kg kg
-1
) 43.7 54.0

35. Conclusions
Small scale aquaponic system is certainly the best solution for
growing organic vegetables at homes in crowded cities as the space
and water requirement for this system is less.
It is an eco-friendly technology which can be improvised and
made energy efficient at an individual’s convenience and pattern of
usage.
Results revealed that aquaponic system offers better results than
other media. This system can enhance the organic farming which
could be environmental friendly.

36. Double recirculating aquaponic system (DRAPS) with two
independent cycles provides the opportunity to produce equal
tomato yields compared to those obtained by conventionally used
hydroponic systems.
By Using DRAPS fertilizer use efficiency was also improved by
23.6%.

37. AQUAPONIC FUTURESCOPEAQUAPONIC FUTURESCOPE
All kinds of plants can be grown in this environment, though herbs
and leafy greens currently are the most common crop.
Aquaponics is suitable for environments with limited land.
In the future, aquaponics will continue to gain increased attention as
a bio-integrated food production system, an urban-friendly
technology.

38. Suhl, J., Dannehl, D., Kloas, W., Baganz, D., Jobs, S., Scheibe, G and Schmidt, U.
2016. Advanced aquaponics: evaluation of intensive tomato production in aquaponics
vs conventional hydroponics. Agricultural water management. 178:.335-344.
Rashmi, M., Sahana, G. V., Sruthi, V and Suganya, R. 2013. Small scale aquaponic
system. International Journal of Agriculture and Food Science Technology.
4(10):975-980.
Salam, M. A., Prodhan, M. Y., Sayem, S. M and Islam, M. A. 2014. Comparitive
growth performances of taro plant in aquaponics vs other systems. International
Journal of Innovation and Applied Studies. 7(3):941-946.
Santos, M. J. P. L. D. 2016. Smart cities and urban areas – aquaponics as innovative
urban agriculture. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening. 20:402-406.
Aquaponics Ideas Online. Nitrogen cycle from fish excretion in aquaponics system. 25
September 2014. http://aquaponicsideasonline.com/nitrogen-cycle-from-fish-
excretion-in-an-aquaponics-systems.
References

39. “The ultimate goal of farming is not the
growing of crops, but the cultivation and
perfection of human beings”
THANK YOU…