“Study of the influence of hydroponics on aquaculture”

*H.A. Farag *M.Y. El- Marsafy

*H.A.Radwan *A.I. El-Rayes

ABSTRACT

According to the gap between food production and population,

on the other hand pollution becomes one of the important factors
facing human health. An experiment was conducted at Agric. Eng.
Res. Institute trying to reduce part of this gap. Tomato plant was used
as vegetable crop with Tilapia fish (10 g.) used as fish production.
Three tanks were used to study the integration relation between
aquaculture and hydroponics in Aquaponics systems, first one was iron
tank 50x100x200 cm divided by metal sheet into two basins
50x100x100cm. First section was used for indirect aquaponic , second
section was used as a fish pond for fish growing ( aquaculture ) that
used for water supply to the glass pond 50 X 50 X50 cm was used as
plant growing using this fish water in a separated aquaponic system.
Other glass pond 50 X 50 X50 cm was used for direct aquaponic..
Chemical fertilizer not used at all . Best result shown under this
conditions was at second treatment produced the highest yield of
tomato and fish with minimum nitrite level. Final data, indicated that
fish yield were 20-22 kg/m3. and for tomato yield were 14-16 kg/m2.

1-INTRODUCTION
Government encourages aquaculture to reduce the gap between
consumption and production of fish which was 50 % at 1982,
decreased to 32% in 1992 (ASA 2003). At the same time it also
encourages and introduce bio-integrated food production system to the
market for raising up organic crop not only for export but also for
produce a clean production to the local market . Aquaponics is a bio-
integrated system that links recalculating aquaculture with hydroponics
vegetable, flower, or herb production. Recent advances by researchers
and growers alike have turned aquaponics into a working model of
sustainable food production. Aquaponics, also known as the integration
of hydroponics with aquaculture, it is gaining increased attention as a
bio-integrated food production system.

*Researcher at Agricultural Engineering Research institute (AEnRI)

El-Kholy (1996) stated that, the ancient Egyptian were interested in
aquaculture of fish, as it was one of their activity. There were drawings
on the walls of their temples, which proved these facts; the ancient
Egyptian realized this art when the water floods and leaving some
water along the
riverbanks. This water was the place for the small fish in which they
move, feed and grow along time, and then there catch it and eating.
Hashish et al. (1996) decide that, aquaculture of fish is
considered one of the safest means to contribute to save the required
quantity of fish in order to reduce the gab between the local markets,
needs and the actual production. Fish produced from the natural
resource reached to be 350000 ton/y which is not enough for locally
consumption due to the continued increase in population.
Johnson and George (1997) detected some factors that
effected on the fish grow inside the fishpond likewise, dissolved
oxygen should be not less than 3 mg/L., temperature must be between
18 to 30 0C, pH prefer to be in the range 6.5 to 8.5, and the NH3 that is
poisonous to fish should be less than 0.1mg/L.
Nicol (1998) stated that, hydroponics unit is designed to
accomplish two functions. First, the unit must allow water to flow over
the plant roots so essential nutrients can be extracted by the plant.
Second, the unit must provide the plants with mechanical support. The
hydroponics unit can be constructed from a number of materials
including PVC pipe, vinyl guttering and shallow plastic pans. A soil-
less medium, such as peat pellets, glass beads or floating styrofoam,
can be used to provide mechanical support for the plants. Micro and
macro nutrients required, depending on the plants grown. These
nutrients introduced into the system, other environmental factors must
be controlled to optimize plant growth. The authors have successfully
grown a variety of vegetables and ornamental flowering plants in the
recirculation system. Lettuce, green beans and tomatoes have been
grown to maturity with adding nutrients to the solution.
Diver (2000) indicated that, aquaponics helps production
agriculture meet its goals of sustainability by following certain
principles:

 The waste products of one system serve as food or fuel for a

second biological system.

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  The integration of fish and plants is a type of polyculture that
increases diversity and thereby enhances system stability.
 Biological water filtration removes nutrients from water
before it leaves the system.
 Sale of greenhouse products generates income which supports
the local economy. In aquaponics, nutrient wastes from fish tanks are
used to fertilize hydroponic production beds via irrigation water. This
is good for the fish because plant roots and associated rhizosphere
bacteria remove nutrients from the water. These nutrients - generated
from fish manure, algae, and decomposing fish feed - are contaminants
that would otherwise build up to toxic levels in the fish tanks, but
instead serve as liquid fertilizer to hydroponically grown plants. In
turn, the hydroponic beds function as a biofilter so the water can then
be recirculated back into the fish tanks. Hydroponic growers view fish-
manure irrigation water as a source of organic fertilizer that enables
plants to grow well.

 Fish farmers view hydroponics as a biofiltration method to

facilitate intensive recirculating aquaculture.
 Greenhouse growers view aquaponics as a way to
introduce organic hydroponic produce into the market place, since the
only fertility input is fish feed and all of the nutrients pass through a
biological process.
 Food-producing greenhouses - yielding two products from
one production unit - are naturally appealing for niche marketing and
green labeling.
 In arid regions where water is scarce, aquaponics is an
appropriate technology that allows food production with re-used water.
 Aquaponics is a working model of sustainable food
production wherein plant and animal agriculture are integrated, and
recycling of nutrients and water filtration are linked.

El-Behery et al. (2005 a , b) mentioned to, using hydroponics

systems raise the water usage efficiency by reducing the water losses
compare with traditional methods. Hydroponics led to agricultural
vertical concentration and introduces the best way to treat the soils
problems and able to planting the soil that could not be planting.
Hydroponics produces organic crops without any chemical and heavy
metal.

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 2-MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three tanks (basin) used to study the integration relation

between aquaculture and hydroponics in applied aquaponics research
systems. first one was iron tank 50x100x200 cm divided by metal sheet
into two basins 50x100x100cm. First section was used for indirect
aquaponic , second section was used as a fish pond for fish growing (
aquaculture ) that used for water supply to the glass pond 50 X 50 X50
cm was used as plant growing using this fish water in the separated
aquaponic system. Other glass pond 50 X 50 X50 cm was used for
direct aquaponic. Fish pond tanks were accommodation by two air
pumps (20 cm3/S) and water pump filtered were used to provide
oxygen to the fish , also two electric heaters 300W used to control of
the temperature inside the fishponds . For applying water to the
hydropnic glass tank an electric pump 2 L/s attached with 3/4" P.E.
tube was used, shown in figure (2-1).
Hydroponics

Fish
pound

Fresh water
Tank

Fig.(2-1) Experimental layout

Styrofoam plats were used as a floating media over water to provide

mechanical support for plants on direct, indirect and separated
aquaponics systems to allow roots drooped into water basin as shown
in figure (2-2)

Fig.(2-2) Styrofoam plats

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 On the indirect aquaponic systems the plant roots were keeping
inside hollow foam cups that surrounding it, to keeping from fish to eat
it, figure (2-3).

Fig.(2-3) Roots keeping inside hollow foam cups

Tilapia (Sarotherdon Colilae) fish 10g weight (figure 2-4) were used
as 50 fishes at fishpond (part one ) 50*100*100 cm for indirect
aquaponic system while the others 50 were put at part two 50x100x100
the separated aquaponic system besaid another 50 used in the direct
aquaponic system. The fish were feeding by artificial food constituted
of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins ( yallow corn
19.9%, wheat bran 34%, soybean meal 31.5%, fish meal 6.9%, corn oil
3.5%, coca 2% premix 2% and antioxidant 0.14% ).Feeding rate was
adding to the fish according to (EL Behery 2004 b) as approximately 5
% from the total fish weight.

Fig.(2-4) Tilapia (Sarotherdon Collae) fish 10g

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 Tomato type (Facolta 38) as vegetable crop was planting in
this experiment, (figure 2-5).

Fig.(2-5) Facolta 38 Tomato

For all treatment during this study both of ammonia , pH, water
temperature and dissolved oxygen were measured every two days
using the following instruments:-

1) Ammonia instruments (figure 2-6)

o Model: Hanna 93715 USA

o Range: 0.0 to 9.99 mg/L (ppm)
o Accuracy: 0.1 mg/L

2) Hanna EIJEL KAMP (figure 2-7)

That used for pH, temperature, O2 measure Fig.(2-6)

From the temperature, ammonia and pH values

the nutrients were determined according to

(Scott - FOAE)

Range: (0-14 ph, 0-20mg/L O2, 0-100 C temp)

Accuracy: (0.01 ph, 0.05 O2, 0.1C temp.)

Fig.(2-7)

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 3-RESULTS AND DESICCATION

During this study three treatment were carried out to study the
influence of hydroponics on aquaculture, the aquaculture treatments
were , direct and indirect planting.

Throw this study both of ammonia, pH, water temperature

(WT) and oxygen demand were used to determined the best aquaponic
system, and follow up the fish /plant growing with condition control.

The resulted showing that, there was no significant difference

between all treatments but the best value of oxygen were at the
separated aquaponic treatment with value of 7.0-8.5mg/L. shown in
figure 3-1.

Fig.(3-1)Effect of aquacultures and hydroponics

on oxygen values.

9.000
8.500
8.000
7.500
O2 mg/L

7.000
6.500
6.000
5.500
5.000
4.500
4.000
9

9
13

25

37

49

61

73

85

97
1

10

12

13

14

15

16

Days of mesured

direct aquaponic separated aquaponic system indirect aquaponic

The figure indicated that dissolved oxygen values ranged

between 5.5 to 8.5 mg/L. The heights oxygen values obtained with the
fresh water and it decreased through fish growing. Separated

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aquaponic system has best oxygen levels varied between 7.0 to 8.5
mg/L , that related to the water circulation that used in this system.
On the other hand pH, water temperature and ammonia value were
determined at Figures, 3-2, 3-3 and 3-4.

Fig.(3-2)Effect of aquaculture and hydroponic on ph

profile
1
175177179 3 5 7
173
171 9 11
169
167 8.0 1315
165 17
163 19
161 21
159 23
157 7.0 25
155 27
153 29
151 31
149 33
147 6.0 35
145 37
143 39
141 5.0 41
139 43
137 45
135 47
133 4.0 49
131 51
129 53
127
pH 55
125 57
123 59
121 61
119 63
117 65
115 67
113 69
111 71
109 73
107 75
105
103 7977
10199 8381
97 9593 8987 85
91

direct aquaponic separated aquaponic system indirect aquaponic

Fig.(3-3)Nitrite values according to fish activity during

growing season.
0.100

0.080
Nitrite mg/L

0.060

0.040

0.020

0.000
1 11 21 31 41 51 61 71 81 91 101111121131141151161171

Days of mesured

direct aquaponic separated aquaponic system indirectaquaponic

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 Figure (3-2) shown pH value that ranged from 4.5 to7.8 in the
direct aquaponic while it was between 6 to 7.9 in the separated
aquaponic system and from 5.8 to 7.3 with the indirect aquaponic. The
result shown that, highest variations were at direct aquaponic treatment
and it was trend to alkaline phase comparing with the other treatments
during fish growing that caused for there is no plant or any roots
growing because fishes eat it continuously.

Figure 3-3 indicated that nitrite values were keeping at level

less than 0.1 mg/L. nitrite values determined according to the
ammonia, pH, and water temperature values. Water replaced in the
fishponds several times to keep nitrite level less than 0.1 mg/L with
separated aquaponic system nitrite level variation was at minimum
range through fish growing period that mean water circulation lead to
minimum ammonia concentration in the fish pond that related to the
good roots germination that absorbed it continuously.

Figure (3-4)shown no significant variation at the

fishponds referred to the control of water temperature by electric
heaters. Temperature was adjuste as possible to be between 25 and 32
o
C throw the experiment period. Result showed that the quantity of
nitrite depended on the weight of fish and the ration of mail added.
From the resulted nitrite proportional with the weight of fish, ph and
with inversely proportionally temperature. The equations (1 , 2 , 3, )
showed that the relation of the different parameter in the three systems.

Fig.(3-4) Water temperature throw growing season

32.000

30.000
Temperture C

28.000

26.000

24.000

22.000
1

13

25

37

49

61

73

85

97

109

121

133

145

157

169

direct aquaponic separated aquaponic

days system indirect aquaponic

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(1:direct aquaponics)
N =0.658 (m)^0.285 * (T)^-2.34 * (O2)^ 1.73 * (Ph)^ 0.137
(2: indirect aquaponics)
N = 0.0.00229 (m)^0.2167* (T)^-3.111* (O2)^ 0.8772* (Ph)^ 6.89
(3: separated aquaponics)
N = 0.0086 (m)^0.786 * (T)^-1.253 * (O2)^ 0.642 * (Ph)^ 2.89
Where:-
N = Total nitrite mg/l , m = weight of fish ,gram,
T = temperature of water in fish pond, c,
O2 = dissolved oxygen in fish pond, mg/l and ph,
The pervious equations indicated that the amount of the nitrite resulted
from the different system. These equations showed the nitrite at the
systems at any time with known the weight of fish and temperature and
ph. In the fish pond. The amount of nitrite compute from the different
the equations according to the system. The amount of nitrite indicate
the best time to change the water or the time of change partially the
water. These equations showed that the amount of ammonia resulted in
the system and the what the needed of nitrogen for the plant which
cultivated in the aquaponic system. Total energy requirement was 430
W/h for the separated aquaponic system and 320W/h for both of direct
and indirect aquaponics.

Final data, indicated that half of water quantity were replaced

by fresh water for keeping nitrate level less than 0.1 mg/L (NH3) 21,
11 and 8 Times for direct, indirect and separated aquaponics systems,
respectively depending on pH, WT and ammonia level. Fish yield was
about 20-22 kg/m3. and tomato yield were 15-18 kg/m2.

4-CONCLUSION

Three methods of aquaponic were used to study the integration

relation between aquaculture and hydroponics .The methods study
were direct aquaponic , separated aquaponic system, and direct
aquaponic . The experiment was 200 days raising by abut 20 days
compared with expected period Tilapia type (Sarotherdon Colilae)
with Facolta 38 tomato were used through the study , one season ,200
day was the period of fish growing while the tomato planting tow
times during this period. Ammonia ,ph, water
temperature and dissolved oxygen were measured during the study.

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Data indicated that there is a significant difference between all
treatments in dissolved O2, ammonia and pH values between the three
aquaponic methods.
Water replaced for keeping nitrate level was 21, 11, and 8
times for direct aquaponic , indirect aquaponic and separated
aquaponic system, respectively . Final results indicated that , fish yield
was 20 kg/m3 while it was 15-18 kg/m2 for the tomato .It is
recommended to use separated aquaponic system that have minimum
water replacement times and heights fish and tomato yield beside the
environmental benefits and rise both of water and land use efficiency .
Using direct aquponic system produced a negative results specially for
the plant growing without significant effecting in fish yield.

4-REFERENCES

Agricultural statistics Abstract (ASA 2003), .Ministry of Agricultural,

Sector of Economic, Egypt

Diver, S. (2000), Aquaponics - Integration of Hydroponics with

Aquaculture. Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas
(ATTRA). Fayetteville, AR 72702. The North Carolina State
University System

El-Kholy, A.(1996), Aquaculture in Egypt. Journal of Specific

Conferences. Acad. Tech. Res.

Hashish, A.; A. Sharf El Dine; and N.Y. Abo Zide (1996), Future of
aquaculture in Egypt. Journal of Specific Conferences. Acad. Tech.
Res

Johnson, D.M;, and W.W. George (1997), A Prototype Recirculating

Aquaculture-Hydroponic System. Journal of Agricultural
Mechanization November 7, 1997. University of Arkansas

Nicol, E. (1998), Suggested Management Guidelines for an Integrated

Recycle Aquaculture – Hydroponic System. The Conservation Fund’s
Freshwater Institute. Shepherdstown, West Virginia

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Scott,W.W.(1999), Fundamental of Aquacultural Engineering ( FOAE)
Department ,Maryland University.

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