Republic of the Philippines

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

Pablo Borbon Main I, Rizal Avenue, Batangas City
College of Engineering, Architecture and Fine Arts
www.batstate-u.edu.ph Tel. No. (043) 425-0139 loc. 118

VERTICAL AQUAPONICS: AN INNOVATION APPROACH FOR A MORE

SUSTAINABLE URBAN FARMING SYSTEM

In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Subject

Modern Biology

Arante, Riza May D.

Bacunawa, Joshua L.

Desepida, Angelo P.

Gusi, Kim Daren D.

Ingco, MC Zyrel S.

Lorico, Mark John Paul L.

Marasigan, Nickole O.

Militar, Alliza P.

Niega, Ivan Ysaac C.

Santos, Alyssa Ashley V.

July 2019
 CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

It is necessary for a man to cultivate plant for it is the primary source of the food

that they eat, oxygen that they breathe, medicines that they take, and the livelihood that

provides living. It also helps an individual to have a healthy physical and mental being

where gardens can be areas for recreation and exercise. Multiple studies have shown that

natural areas such as community gardens grant a variety of mental health benefits. Being

in natural places fosters recovery from mental fatigue, improves outlook and life

satisfaction, helps us to cope with and recover from stress, improves our ability to recover

from illness and injury, restores concentration, and improves productivity (Maller et. al.,

2005).

The act of gardening covers a wide array of practices and styles, from flowers and

foliage plants to vegetables and herbs. There are also several methods for growing

healthy, productive plants. However, successful plant cultivation depends on many

factors. Some of these may include soil type, location, light, water, and temperature.

Indoor gardening is one of the common types in cultivating plants. Most plants that are

grown indoors are found in pots or flats of soil. There are also soilless growing methods

that can be implemented and some of indoor plants can be grown in water.

Ground gardening, aquaponics, hydroponics, raised-bed, wood chips, straw bale

gardening, core gardening and container gardening are examples of various farming
system. The most practiced method is the soil-based gardening wherein plants are

cultivated on soil and thought to be cost effective and the easiest way to start with.

However, soil productivity is declining worldwide that leads to diminishing of land for

agriculture and increase of food prices (Glick, 2010). For this reason, people take time to

discover new ideas to increase food production with a goal of land and water

conservation and thus, it resulted in the development of the so-called aquaponics.

Aquaponics is a method of plant cultivation with the combination of aquaculture

and hydrophonics. In its place, plants are provided with a growing medium such as gravel,

sand or something similar. They are then given a continual supply of nutrient solution

which produces healthier growth. This method is ideal for a wide range of plants and

limited space. It has been utilized as one of the standard methods for plant biology

research and is also used in commercial production for several crops including lettuce

and tomato. Within the plant research community, numerous hydroponic systems have

been designed to study plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses (Nguyen et. al.,

2016).

In combining aquaculture or raising aquatic animals and hydroponics or the

soilless growing of plants, it appears to offer a possible way forward in this concern. It

has particular attractions in locations where water is scarce and/or soil is poor, and both

fish and vegetables are strongly in demand. With aquaponics, the need for soil and

chemical fertilizers are completely eliminated. Aquaponics uses fish’s effluent that will

serve as fertilizer for the optimum growth of the plants (Flavius & Grozea, 2011).
 The aquaponics systems focused on increasing economic efficiency and

sustainability of alternative farming system. Agriculture sciences must be reconsidered to

develop environment-friendly technologies. Combining aquaculture with hydroponics,

farmers obtain a new innovation with aquaponics. It respects the principles of sustainable

agriculture (waste water bio filtration by plants) and gives the possibility to increase

economic efficiency with an additional production (organic vegetables) to produce

nutrient-rich foods (Surnar et. al., 2015).

With all the elucidated details that this study was conceptualized, the researchers

were inspired to develop a digital render design of a vertical aquaponics system for urban

areas. It will eliminate the stressful gardening chores and make an alternative to soil-

based gardening that will best address the stated problems. The project aims to improve

aquaponics to be more affordable to the masses particularly in urban areas, be able to

produce a space-friendly design and provide an efficient food source through a more

sustainable urban farming system.

Background of the Study

Progress, although limited in magnitude and pace, has been made in reducing

numerous problems in this growing society. One major problem that has been really

obvious today is the multiple forms of malnutrition. Poor access to healthy food has been

a limiting factor contributing to under nutrition. Children with low weight-for-height

have an augmented risk of mortality. According to Food and Agriculture Organization in

United Nations (FAO), 7.5 percent of children under five were affected by this form of

under nutrition with regional prevalence ranging from 1.3 percent in Latin America to 9.7
percent in Asia as of 2017. This launches to an urgent appeal to accelerate and scale up

actions to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity in the face of ever growing

demands of the community.

Food security is achieved when all people, at all times, have physical, economic

and social access to enough food of good quality for a healthy and active life. However,

in addressing the dimensions of food security, human interventions in the environment

faced another problem that generally signifies permanent decline in the productive

capacity of food supply. The government and its underlying sectors have invested billion

pesos in land and water management to boost food production and foster economic

growth. Land and water degradation are key factors threatening food security for many of

the poorest and most food insecure living in Asia, Africa and Latin America (Bossio et.

al., n.d). Particularly, land management alternatives can be understood and acted upon in

connection to the “water crisis.” Malpractice of land degrades water quality and reduces

water productivity. The overuse and misuse of agrochemicals, water, animal feeds and

drugs designed to increase productivity have resulted in higher pollution loads in the

environment, including rivers, lakes, aquifers and coastal waters (FAO, 2017). In the

European Union, 38 percent of water bodies are significantly under pressure from

agricultural pollution (WWAP, 2015). These stressors in the environment also lead to

declining stocks of arable land per capita. Statistics reveal that arable land per person is

projected to decrease by 2050 to one-third of the amount available in 1970 (FAO, 2016).

This decline is forecasted to continue due to the effects of climate change, the increasing

geographic extent of dry lands, the reduction in fresh water supply and population growth

(Fedoroff, 2015). Consequently, the practice of farming, new food equation and structural
design in these adversities is really important to produce a food system that would cater

satisfaction in the area of production.

In the Philippines, soil degradation is one of the most serious ecological problems

today. The National Action Plan (NAP) for 2004 to 2010 identified soil degradation as a

major threat to food security in the country. NAP reported that about 5.2 million hectares

are seriously degraded resulting to 30 to 50% reduction in soil productivity. Lack of

alternative livelihoods, inadequate environmental management programs, and lax

implementation of environmental laws were seen to contribute to the continuing natural

resource degradation.

The study magnified the intervention of aquaponics in terms of sustainable food

production by combining hydroponics and aquaculture. Water and land degradation was

countered through the conception of new structural design that can minimize the space

requirement for urban farming system. Plumbing system was also considered in the

project.
Conceptual Framework

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

 Advantages  Construct a  A proposal for
of using vertical a vertical
vertical structure of aquaponics
aquaponics aquaponics which serves
made in that is space- as an
cheaper or friendly for innovation
recyclable efficient food towards a
materials but production and more
can still can be widely sustainable
provide used in urban urban farming
efficiency areas. system.
for food  Utilization of
production. cheaper or
recyclable
materials.
 Testing the
quality of the
vertical
structure of
aquaponics.

This study used the Input, Process and Output (IPO) model as it is a dominant

approach in understanding and describing the structure and process of the information.

The first frame of paradigm in the conceptual framework contains the input of

data to be used. This includes the advantages of having a vertical aquaponics made in

cheaper or recyclable materials but can still provide efficiency for food production. The

gathered data was essential for the continuation of conceptual framework; the process.
 The second frame indicates the process or the construction of the aquaponics.

This includes all materials needed and measures the exact sizes of material. This process

stage also stated the designing of the subject that is primarily space-friendly.

The output of the research was a vertical aquaponics which serves as an

innovation towards a more sustainable urban farming system.

Objectives of the Study

The general objective of the study is to develop a vertical aquaponics which can

provide a more efficient food production and be widely used in urban areas with limited

land capacity.

It further aims the following:

 To develop a vertically-designed aquaponics being space-friendly but still

provides efficient production of food.

 To increase food quality by producing more nutrient-rich foods away from

chemical contamination.

 To promote aquaponics made of cheaper or recyclable materials so that ordinary

people can make their own.

 To share the benefits of vertical aquaponics, as sustainable urban farming system,

to people living in urban areas.

Significance of the Study

As stated in this study, sustainable food production is in need of reinforcement in

a way that it will be also beneficial in terms of the concern in water and land degradation.
Accordingly, this study primarily aims to create a food production that sums up all these

problems in one solution. Stated in this section are the proponents that will greatly benefit

in the study. This study will be beneficial to the following:

Community. The technology can be applied to commercial or community-based

urban food production as a fast segment in catering the demand. Since the consumer

demand has been increasing but the supply continue to decline, this can be an efficient

and competent source of supply for the community.

Farmers. Since the use of good agricultural practices leads to less risk liability,

sustainability and quality crops, vertical aquaponics can help farmers to meet consumer’s

expectation and earn great profit at the same time.

Academe. This study may serve as reference for further professional studies.

Proponents. The conduct of this study may help them gain experience and

knowledge that will be utilized in their lifetime profession of leading innovations to

improve human lives.

Future Researchers. This study may assist future researchers that want to further

explore or study the uses and capabilities of aquaponics in line with its design and

processes.

Scope, Limitations and Delimitation

This study simply focuses on improving aquaponics in terms of structural design

including plumbing system, bed arrangement and overall aquaponic structure. These

principally intend to introduce a regularly interacting independent processes and form a

unified whole that targets a number of existing problems in urban farming. It also

encloses the choice of fish and plants that will be used in the system. The study does not

cover the processes involved in raising seeds into seedlings and breeding fish.

Definition of Terms

To achieve better understanding of the study, the following terms are hereby

defined conceptually and operationally for readers.

Aquaponics. It refers to any system that combines conventional aquaculture with

hydroponics in a symbiotic environment.

Aquaculture. It involves cultivating freshwater and saltwater populations under

controlled conditions and can be contrasted with commercial fishing which is the

harvesting of wild fish.

Hydroculture. It is similar to hydroponics in many ways but has a key difference.

Instead of using a nutrient solution containing water as a growing medium, an inorganic

solid growing medium is used.

Hydroponics. It is a method of growing plants without soil by instead using

mineral nutrient solutions in a water solvent.

Urban Farming. It is the practice of cultivating, processing and distributing food

in or around urban areas which can also involve animal husbandry, aquaculture,

agroforestry, urban beekeeping and horticulture.

 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Related Literature

In constructing this project, the researchers reviewed some published materials for

a better understanding of the development procedure and to come up with the actual

project design.

A. Local Literature

Based on the report of Philippine Statistics Authority (2019), the estimated

poverty incidence among Filipinos families was at 21.0 percent in the first semester of

2018. This refers to the proportion of families whose income is below the poverty line to

the total number of families in the country. The proportion of food poor families was

recorded at 9.9 percent in the same period in 2015. According to Del Rosario (2015), “no

Filipino should go hungry.” He stated that malnutrition or undernourishment cases kill

more people every year, especially children, than malaria and tuberculosis combined. In

2010, the United Nations stated that local food system is the only way to end the world

hunger. To answer that call, the project called Barangay Aquaponics was introduced in

2015. “Aquaponics is the combination of aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics

(soil-less plant culture)” (Pinoybisnes, 2014). It is the ideal answer to the problem of fish

farmers for the disposing of nutrient rich water and a hydroponic grower’s need for

nutrient rich water. Every natural waterway on earth was definitely simulated by the idea

of aquaponics. Aquaponics is mainly used to grow food crops in a concentrated, yet very

sustainable manner. Aquaponics is one practical innovation that promotes urban- and

household-farming. Through the use of fish waste pumped from the system’s fish tank,

chemical-free product are grown—the nutrient rich water serves as fertilizer for the plants
and the plants filter the water for the welfare of the fish. The urban farmer can consume

the plant and fish in the aquaponics or sell them for extra income (Del Rosario, 2015). He

added that the idea of aquaponics can greatly reduce negative effects brought about by

uncontrollable climate change and unresolved hunger, and have been proven to provide

healthy pesticide-free food that is not dependent on the climate and at the same time help

conserve water as this project will only take up small volume of water and occupies just a

little space in your backyard.

Dr. Sace (2014) stated that using tilapia for aquaponics since it is easier to

cultivate compared to other freshwater fishes. Green, leafy vegetables such as pechay,

lettuce, kangkong among others, thrive well in the system. This enables more wide and

much alternatives to discover that can be use in the aquaponics .

A journal made by DLSU JCIEA (2017) said that soil less farming method such

as hydroponics and aquaponics are recommended to minimize pollution from agricultural

land activities. In aquaponics system, water recycling and waste management are utilized

to cultivate plants in hydroponic beds and raise fish in aquaculture tanks. The usage of

minimal water exchange, organic fertilizer from fish waste and natural biofilter from

plant roots reduce the operating cost of the aquaponics system, making it a cost-effective

system. It could also minimize the pollution caused by soil farming activities. In addition

to this, the harvested fish and vegetable crops from an aquaponic system are organic,

healthy and safe for human consumption.

B. Foreign Literature

Soil erosion due to floods and droughts, a picture of climate change, reduced the

farmlands where we can grow our food. Many environmental experts agree that farming

will be marginalized over the next years, as climate change accelerates due to

deforestation. According to Despommier (2011), controlled environment agriculture is an

answer to this situation. Greenhouse technologies are guaranteeing a safer, more reliable

food supply that can be produced year around and can be located close to urban centers.

By “stacking” buildings on top of each other in an integrated well-engineered fashion,

agricultural footprint, and vertical farm concept can be applied to urban center, regardless

of location.

According to Bakiu (2017), the increasing demands from the domestic market of

Albania and Eastern Europe countries for pesticide-free produce. Since aquaponic system

can produce fish and vegetables intensively throughout the year outdoors in suitable

climates or in environmentally controlled greenhouses and land requirements are minimal,

it provides high quality fish and plants for people living in Albania and other countries.

We found that there were significant growth differences by height of peppers, eggplants,

melons and cucumbers, when growing between aquaponics and traditional soil. However,

this is one of the first efforts in Europe to provide information that can better inform

research and education regarding aquaponics as it matures and possibly evolves into a

mainstream form of agriculture. Environmental control, water quality and the use of

soilless cultivation practices in aquaponics allows pesticide free production. In fact,

pesticides cannot be used because damage to the fish.

 Love (2015) stated that aquaponics is the integration of aquaculture and

hydroponics. There is expanding interest in aquaponics as a form of aquaculture that can

be used to produce food closer to urban centers. There is growing interest in locally

produced food that is sold directly to consumers, and aquaponics is a growing form of

aquaculture that easily fits into a local and regional food system model in part because it

can be practiced in or near large population centers.

The book published by Proksch et. al. (2019), “Aquaponics in the Built

Environment,” tackled that aquaponics production contributes to agricultural efficiency

by reducing the land footprint that is needed for production. On instance, Facilities can be

situated by land and in suburban or urban areas for food production that could reduce the

carbon footprint associated with rural farms and transportation of food products to city

markets. With a smaller footprint, production capacity can be located in otherwise

unproductive areas such as on rooftops or old factory sites, which can also reduce land

acquisition costs if those areas are deemed unsuitable for housing or retail businesses. A

smaller footprint for production of high-quality protein and vegetables in aquaponics can

also take pressure away from clearing ecologically valuable natural and semi-natural

areas for conventional agriculture.

In ASEAN-FEN International Fisheries Symposium (2017), aquaculture, the

cultivation of freshwater and marine plants and animals, is one of the fastest growing

segments of Indonesian agriculture. The increase of farm-raised fish has lead to increased

concern regarding discharges from those facilities. Aquaponic systems offer several

benefits. It is a technology-intensive, capital-intensive and knowledge-intensive method

of food production that is discerned. Aquaponic technology is considered to be

ecologically friendly; it uses non renewable resources with a very high efficacy as

indicated by near zero-waste management discharge. In addition to its value as a food

production system, smaller aquaponic units can be great assets as a demonstration in

ecological cycle and may serve as decorative elements in homes and public places.

Today crop production and fish farming occupy vast regions of the Earth’s

surface and have a strong negative impact on the environment by inducing soil erosion;

polluting the soil and groundwater by pesticides, fertilizers, and animal waste; the

production of greenhouse gases; and in many other ways. A combination of plant

production and fish farming in closed aquaponic systems results in a significant reduction

on the environmental impact. Aquaponic systems can be operated almost wastefree;

therefore they have no measurable effects on the soil if no new area is consumed for

installing aquaponics. Even the relatively small amount of waste produced (in the form of

sludge) can be easily composted and converted to beneficial products.

Related Studies

The researchers went through some text books and studies that may have shown

certain degree of relevance to the present research project.

A. Local Studies

Although some normally think about soilless culture as a modern practice,

growing plants in containers above ground has been tried at various times throughout the

ages. The Egyptians did it almost 4000 years ago. Wall paintings found in the temple of

Deir el Bahari showed what appears to be the first documented case of container-grown

plants. They were used to transfer mature trees from their native countries of origin to the

king’s palace and then to be grown this way when local soils were not suitable for the
particular plant. It is not known what type of growing medium was used to fill the

containers. But since they were shown as being carried by porters over large distances, it

is possible that materials used were lighter than pure soil. Today the largest industries in

which soilless production dominates are greenhouse production of ornamentals and

vegetables and outdoor container nursery production. In urban horticulture, virtually all

containerized plants are grown without any field soil (Raviv & Lieth, 2008).

Soilless culture is an artificial means of providing plants with support and a

reservoir for nutrients and water. The simplest and oldest method for soilless culture is a

vessel of water in which inorganic chemicals are dissolved to supply all of the nutrients

that plants require. Often called solution culture or water culture, the method was

originally termed hydroponics by W.F. Gericke. Over the years, hydroponics has been

used sporadically throughout the world as a commercial means of growing both food and

ornamental plants (Johnson, 2006).

The hydroponics system has its beginnings in many cultures like Aztec culture

and Hanging Gardens of Babylon, where crops have been grown on rafts or frames,

suspended in shallow pools of water. Europe generally started experimenting with the

soilless crops circa 1699 and the official term, “hydroponics”, was given by the

Americans’ in the 1930’s. Today, it is a practical application in thousands of greenhouses

worldwide and a large commercial industry (Turner, 2008).

Globally, capture fisheries productions are relatively static since late 1980s, whilst

aquacultures have contributed to remarkable growth in the fish supply for human

consumption. In 2009, the total aquacultures production had produced 55.7 million tons,

compared to 90.2 million tons obtained from fisheries. In 2014, the total aquaculture
production was 73.8 million tons and 93.4 million tons. This portrays aquaculture

production increase by 32.4% for years 2009-2014, while, capture fisheries increase was

limited to 3.2% only (Food and Agricultural Organization, 2016).

In order to make industry more sustainable, some solutions and concepts were

presented. Many suggest that using nutrient recycling, i.e. the conversion of nitrogen

back to protein, or other harvestable products, can be efficient practical means to control

and treat effluents associated with aquaculture. Integration of aquaculture with other

animal and plant systems, such as aquaponics, has become viable option that benefits

from extra nutrients contents of the production facility, to reduce nutrient discharge

(Wurts, 2000).

Besides fish and plants, the aquaponics system naturally produces one other crop

which is the good bacteria that convert the toxic components of fish waste into nutrients

that plants can consume. Fish produces an ammonia rich waste and then the bacteria will

be break down into nitrites and then nitrates where plants will convert these nitrates as

nutrients. Using effluent from fish farming ponds to feed plants while filtering the water

naturally is the basic principle of aquaponics. The fish farm for its part provides the

fertilizers required for plant growth with the use of the waste it produces, which is thus

recycled rather than being discharged and polluting the environment. Instead of having to

clean out the tank to remove the waste, there will be a tube system that moves the waste

over to the plants. As the plants soak up the nutrients from the waste, they are cleaning

the water. As the water gets clean from the waste, it will be funneled back into the fish

tank (Larry, 2013).

B. Foreign Studies

“Small-Scale Aquaponics System for Household Consumption,” designed by

Johnson (2016), focuses on the application of personal, home-sized system and its

potential to supply a family with low-cost food. This thesis investigates the feasibility of

implementing a small-scale aquaponics system of 200 gallons for household consumption.

Feasibility was assessed on cost, construction process including tools and materials,

productivity, and maintenance requirements. It used a method devised by Travis W.

Hughey who appropriately named it “Barrel-ponics”. The system is comprised of three

plastic 55- gallon barrels used as the fish tank, grow beds, and reservoir tank. The grow

bed drainage for this system did not use a bell siphon, but instead a simple drainage pipe

which lay beneath the grow bed media. Tomatoes, squash and bell peppers grew the

fastest while shishito peppers, jalapenos and eggplant grew the slowest for the barrel

system. The fish species used to stock both tanks was Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

with 5 in the barrel-ponics system. The heaters operate by turning on when water

temperature falls below the selected setting. It was estimated to be functioning for 8

hours a day with its most demanding time at night when air temperatures dropped; this is

a relatively high approximation. The most obvious benefit of a small-scale aquaponics

system is the ability to harvest vegetables and fish stock, thus providing a sizable amount

of carbohydrates and protein for household consumption. The quality of both food

sources were extremely high and consistent throughout the growing period, which could

easily be extended with a greenhouse enclosure. The aquaponics method allows efficient

and repetitive use of a given amount of water in the production of virtually any vegetable

or freshwater fish species.

 As revealed in the study of Dos Santos et. al. (2017) entitled "Commercial

Aquaponics Approaching the European Market: To Consumers’ Perceptions of

Aquaponics Products in Europe," aquaponics studies have mostly been related to

technology and other environmental parameters and are now receiving attention due to

good marketing process. This shows that the consumer's acceptance towards aquaponics

is positive and is willing to pay to produce products that are free of antibiotics pesticides

and other well-known products.

Based on “Strategic Points in Aquaponics," a study of Junge et. al. (2017),

aquaponics is a small but merging business sector that attracts a large portion of capital

even though it's basic goal of operation is food production. Additionally, it is combined

and aligned with tourism and education to improve its profitability because of technology

and its different approaches like cross-cutting. Aquaponics has no legal status within the

regulation in Europe while in US it is certified as organic.

The modern agriculture uses more amount of water. It is either sprayed or flooded

through fields where it evaporates or seeps past the plant roots and into the water table

bringing all chemicals like herbicides and pesticides down with it. On the other hand,

aquaponics don’t use too much water or rather wasted. It is a closed, recirculating system

which means that there is only a small amount of water that leaves through the system

and is all taken up by the plants or it evaporates from the top tank. It is even more water

thrifty to hydroponics because it is a completely human managed and chemical-based

system. The nutrients distributed to the plants become unbalanced. The nutrient waste

from hydroponics is also full of chemical mineral salts that need to be disposed and

prevented from running off into the groundwater. Since aquaponics is an organic
ecosystem the nutrients are balanced naturally. There are also no toxic nutrients that build

up in the plants. Water in aquaponics system is full of healthy nutrients that will help the

plants to grow healthier than the plants of modern agriculture methods (Sylvia, 2011).

Moreover, Rizal et. al. (2018) states that aquaponics has the potential to be an

integral part of the “blue and green” infrastructure of cities. It can meet the demands of

consumers in urban areas and thus will attain premium prices, which will allow a fast

return of investments. Since food security and infrastructure will become a central issue

in the increase of human population in urban areas, aquaponics may prove to be a

solution. Aquaponics can also be used to improve the livelihoods in households and

communities. Fish is one of the most important sources of protein in low and medium

income countries while vegetables help us to improve our nutrition. Thus, aquaponics can

help us increase food security and food sovereignty.

Synthesis

The literature and studies presented by local and foreign authors were considered

substantial to the current study because the researchers understand better the most

fundamental concepts studied in the research.

For Philippine Statistics Authority (2019) and Del Rosario (2015), they both

emphasize the importance of awareness against malnutrition or undernourishment and

that a local food system shall be developed to solve this problem. While Pinoybisnes

(2014), Dr. Sace (2014) and DLSU JCIEA (2017) give initial information about how

aquaponics started including its basic necessities to operate effectively. Moreover,

Despommier (2011), Love (2015), Bakiu (2017), Proksch et. al. (2019) and ASEAN-FEN
International Fisheries Symposium (2017) shared how aquaponics benefits in solving

different problems in some countries in terms of environment, agriculture and the

economy as a whole.

On the other hand, studies conducted by Larry (2013), Wurts (2000), Food and

Agricultural Organization (2016), Turner (2008), Johnson (2006), and Raviv and Lieth

(2008) shows the fundamental principles involved in aquaponics and its practical

application nowadays. The potential of aquaponics to be a true alternative in farming

system is further stated through the researches of Johnson (2016), Dos Santos et. al.

(2017), Junge et. al. (2017), Sylvia (2011) and Rizal et. al. (2018).

Finally, the researchers find valuable insights from the related literature and

studies mentioned which served as the basis of the present study since they also attempt

to determine the benefits of aquaponics system and much more when it will be innovated

into a vertical structure to be space-friendly and widely used in urban areas.

 CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Design

In this study, researchers used descriptive method by means of quantitative

approaches. Descriptive design gathers the necessary data without varying the setting or

manipulating any variables, so they do not look at possible cause and effect. Relatively,

Grove, Burns, and Gray (2013) cited that descriptive designs “may be used to develop

theory, identify problems with current practice, justify current practice, make judgments

or determine what others in similar situations are doing.” This method is appropriate to

this study since it aims to show and present the specifications of vertical aquaponics into

its utmost level.

Setting of the Study

This study took place at a household where a small-scale aquaponic unit can be

assembled and utilized. The environment of the household was considered to achieve the

important biological processes and components of aquaponic system. Also, the location

preference in this study is taken with great importance to make sure that the ecosystem of

fish, plants and bacteria is at a dynamic equilibrium.

Sources of Data

Since the study conducted by the researchers is non-experimental, conducting of

surveys and interviews from a sample population for the data collection were not really
necessary for there are no variables being compared. Alternatively, the researchers

conducted literature researches and reviews from various articles to accumulate the

needed information for the study.

Procedure of the Study

Vertical aquaponics is an innovation of a normal aquaponics improving the urban

farming technique. It is designed for efficient production of products that also allows man

to conserve water and land use. It is an eco-friendly project which proposes an organic

urban farming and helps to save space in the environment.

Structure:

Vertical aquaponics is designed to campaign a low-cost urban farming technique

which can minimize space in the garden. It is constructed with cheaper or recyclable

materials minimizing the cost of the projects. In addition, it has water-distributing system

that will dispense water on every grow bed containing the plants.

Vertical aquaponics has no definite shape because it occupies free space and uses

a barrel. Plant tables are place on the walls on the upper portion of the aquarium. It also

has water filtration system connected on every grow bed which then allows water to

travel back to the fish tank. Moreover, a water pump is placed outside the fish tank and

water pipes are fixed along the plant table to distribute the water.

The materials of this project are stated below:

 Fish Tank – Since traditional glass fish tank is a bit more expensive and vulnerable

to break, old plastic barrel can be used to serve as the aquarium.

 Support – To ensure a sturdy foundation of the aquaponics’ structure, concrete and

coco lumber will be used.

 Water Pump – It plays a crucial role in the whole system because it pumps water

from the fish tank to the plant tables. Also, the different types of water pump vary in

speed power of pumping water. So, choosing water pumps depends on how large the

vertical aquaponics system is.

 Plumbing materials– Its system is composed of water pipes and/or hoses along the

plant tables which will be used for water distribution.

 Plant Tables – This will serve as the grow bed of plants which consist of pebbles or

gravels that filter the water at the same time during the its circulation.

Procedure in Making the Vertical Aquaponics

1. Site selection.

Choosing a spot for aquaponics system depends on a number of factors. For one

thing, growers must consider the matter of scale in order to minimize the space. If for

business it probably needs more space than if this is more of a hobby or for pernal use

only. Secondly, outdoor placement is feasible and successful if you live in a climate that

is relatively warm thoughout the year.

Considering there realities, aqua culturist are left three options for location: inside

the home (in a sunny corner), outdoor in the yard or inside a greenhouse.
3. Gathering the Materials

If you have a fish you need a tank, in this project a barrel will serve as tank to

avail the cheap price that still can support an ecological balance. This means that for

every fish it needs 10 gallons of water.

At the top of tank will go the plastic battle that will serve as the grow bed which is

attached to a mesh wire. In this container is the growing medium like tiny gravel or

pebbles. Since the water must circulate from tank to grow bed to tank again, the water

will be filter with the use of a filter cloth. Likewise, PVC pipe is the essential conduit

through which the water can go back and forth. Finally, water pump are run completely

outside the fish tank, in the sump of a wet/dry filtration system this will help to flow the

water into the grow bed from the tank.

4. Assemble the Pieces

Beginning your seedlings in potting soil, they should be mature enough to

transplant when fish are large enough to emit sufficient waste. In the mean time, arrange

the PVC pipes in the grow bed, drilling quarter-inch holes at six-inch intervals. These

perforations indicate where each seedling will sit. Lay the pipes parallel to one another,

leaving about a foot between them.

Connecting the water pump to the piping is conditions on whether the grow bed

sits a top of the tank. This will determine whether the pump moves the water from the

tank to the grow bed or vice versa.

5. Select the Fish

The temperature of the tank may accommodate only certain species. The question

of whether you will breed the fish for food begs for an answer. Furthermore some fish are

unavailable – even illegal – in some jurisdictions. Popular among students of how to

build an aquaponics system are tilapia, trout, catfish, koi, bass and goldfish. each species

comes with its own specifics.

In this project tilapia will be serve as the fish, because they are fast growing and

efficient at converting food into body mass. Tilapia are not always raised in healthy

conditions or fed a high quality feed. They can survive wider ranges in pH, temperature,

and ammonia than many other fish species, and they quickly adapt to varying conditions.

6. Selecting the Plants

Aquaponics is good for any number of plant species. Yet certain crops lend

themselves optimally to this type of farming. Leafy greens, especially, benefit from fish

effluent in terms of prolific and speedy growth. Lettuce, cabbage, spinach and kale are all

hungry for nitrogen but need little of the phosphorous macronutrient. Fish waste is full of

the former and lacking in the latter, hence the good fit for these greens. Still, those

considering how to build an aquaponics system will find that a wide variety of vegetables

do just fine under these conditions.

The easiest and most successful plants to grow aquaponically are green leafy

vegetables and herbs. They generally have lower and less tedious nutrient requirement.

Lettuce is a very common crop that meets this description. It lends itself to an aquaponic
scenario and is in high demand, it is an ingredient in most salads and may cone in

different varieties.

7. Maintenance

The good news is that this system is very easy to maintain. Each week, check the

pH. If the pH is between 6.6 and 7.0 things are going well. If the pH is outside of this

range it should be adjusted by using either pH Up or Down as needed. A pH of 6.8 is

ideal. Fill the tank to top off the level with de-chlorinated water. Each month, use a

siphon cleaner to vacuum the excess waste out of the gravel. Take the tank water level

down ¼ with this process. Don’t throw this water down the drain; it will do wonders for

indoor and outdoor plants. Fill the tank back up to the top with de-chlorinated water

8. Summing Up

In many ways, aquaponic systems reveal few flaws. They grow vegetables

without harming soil; they feed plants without resorting to chemical fertilizers; and they

afford fish a clean and healthy habitat without disrupting their peace. There are

alternative materials to use to make an aquaponics system in cheap price but still gave a

quality foods.

Aquaponics Theoretical Procedure

This section provides the full procedural description of aquaponics as a combined

technique of hydroponics and aquaculture in cultivating plants and fishes. This part also

include the biological procedures happening in an aquaponic system.

1. Building Hydroponics
 In this study, the concept of hydroponics is used for adapting a soil-less culture

wherein the method of growing crops does not necessarily need soil. Instead, the

researchers integrated irrigation systems to plants, specifically lettuce, to introduce

nutrient solution to the plants’ root zones. It played a significant role in growing crops

because it is free from soil-borne pests and diseases. In this case, the use of chemical

fertilizers is completely abandoned.

2. Building Aquaculture

The researchers used a recirculating aquaculture system wherein the water is

reused for the fish after a cleaning and a filtering process. It can considerably increase

productivity per unit and it is the most efficient water-saving technology in fish farming.

3. Combining Hydroponics and Aquaculture

The combination of hydroponics and aquaculture was utilized to create a new

production system called aquaponics. In this study, water from the fish tank cycles

through filters, plant grow beds and then back to the fish.

It trailed the following algorithm:

 When the water pass through the filters, the fish wastes is removed from the

water.

 This filter will then provide a location for bacteria to convert ammonia, which is

toxic to fish, into nitrate, a more accessible nutrient or plants.

 After the process of nitrification, the water will travel through the plant grow beds

and the plants uptake these nutrients.

  Finally, the water will go back to the fish tank purified.

Time Table

Task/s: June 12 - June 19 - June 21 - June 27 - July 5 -

June 18 June 20 June 26 July 4 July 15
Idealization &
Planning
Finalizing the
design
Finalizing the
materials
Finalizing the paper
Rendering

Project Budget (Estimated Expenses)

DESCRIPTION QUANTITY ESTIMATED COST

Plastic Barrel 1 pc. 200
Submersible Water Pump 1 pc. 350
Coco Lumber 6 pcs. 600
Pebbles/Gravel 3 kg. 60
Round Steel 10 pcs. 500
Mesh Wire 3 screens 350
Round Steel Support 8 pcs. 300
Hose/Pipe 20 m. 367
Elbow Pipe 27 pcs. 162
T-Pipe 9 pcs. 81
Filter Cloth 1 pack 30
Cement 1 bag 180
Sand 1 bag 99
Plant Seeds 1 pack 50
Fish Food ½ kg. 40
Miscellaneous 500
TOTAL COST 3869
Schematic Diagram

Objectives

Conceptual Framework

Selection of Design

Selection of Materials

Prototyping
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