INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

The Aquaponics System is a combined cultured of fish and plants in

recirculating systems. Nutrients, which are excreted directly by the fish or generated
by the microbial breakdown of organic wastes, are absorbed by plants cultured
hydroponically without soil. Fish feed provides most of the nutrients required for plant
growth. As the aquaculture effluent flows through the hydroponic component of the
recirculating system, fish waste metabolites are removed by nitrification and direct
uptake by the plants, thereby treating the water, which flows back to the fish-rearing
component for reuse. Aquaponics in some ways, is very beneficial and efficient, in
terms of having a garden that uses no soil and instead water that is also saving. One
of the benefits on doing aquaponics, is having a small requirement of space to place
the aquarium and aside from having consumable plant, you can also have fish in a
fresh state.

Aquaponics have been proven effective as alternative to grow and cultivate

lettuce at the same time it can save enough space and promote sustainability in a
way that it is not time consuming because of its system that automatically provide
enough nutrients to the plants from the ammonia and nitrates produced by the fish
manure. Fish feeds contains commercial formulated ingredient that affects the fish
manure and the ph level water acidity that makes it possible for the fish to produce
ammonia to nitrites that serve as a food for the plant to grow according to Mullen
(2013)Nitrates are produced by a number of species of nitrifying bacteria in the
natural environment using ammonia or urea as a source of nitrogen and Nitrate is
actually one of the major nutrients that plants need in order to grow. Plants absorb
nitrate through their roots, leaves and/or stems and use it as food.

The highest level of lettuce production (both as total biomass, and as shoots)
was found in system C. The fresh shoot weight from the unsellable lettuce was 94 g,
while fresh roots weighed 22.6 g. The lettuce was poorly developed with green-
yellow leave. Nile and red tilapia performed well in the system, although red tilapia is
a weaker fish as indicated by a lower survival rate (89.9%) compared to that
(98.4%)of Nile tilapia. Annual production of Nile tilapia (4.16 mt) and red tilapia (4.78
mt) was lower than the target production of 5 mt. Closer attention to the ad libitum
feeding method should increase annual production. For Nile tilapia, however, a slight
increase in the current stocking rate (77 fish/m3) and fingerling size (79.2 g) may be
needed to reach annual production of 5 mt. Nile and red tilapia performed well in the
system, although red tilapia is a weaker fish as indicated by a lower survival rate
(89.9%) compared to that (98.4%) of Nile tilapia(Rakocy, Bailey, Shultz and Thoman
2014).

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to find differences on Aquaponics and Enhance Aquaponics

on lettuce-based growth; specifically, it aims to answer the following questions:

1. What is the result of Aquaponics System in terms of health, height, ph water level,
and plant weight?

2. What is the probability ratio in terms of survival rate of the lettuce in this study?

3. Is there a difference result between Aquaponic systems and Enhance Aquaponics

System?

Objective of the Study

This study aimed to target the following objective in comparison of

Aquaponics and Enhance Aquaponics:

1. Determine the growth result of Aquaponics System in terms of health, height, ph

water level, and plant weight.

2. Determine probability ratio in terms of survival rate of the lettuce in this study.

3. Determine if there is a difference between the growth result of Aquaponics System

and Enhance Aquaponics System.
Significance of the Study

This study gives enough information on the experimental of Aquaponics

system, this kind of information can give the beneficiaries and the researchers about
a unique way to grow a plant.

Benefitting the study are the various sectors as follows:

The Future Researchers. The ideas presented may be used as reference

data in conducting new research or in testing the validity of other related findings.
This study will also serve as their cross-reference that will give them a background or
an overview in the experimental of Aquaponics system.

To the School. School stimulates Technical Vocational Education which

Agriculture and Crop production is a major subject among the students in the
institution which they can benefit in this study and have an bigger and enormous
impact towards the students in promoting aquaponic farming as an alternative
growth for soil cultivation growth.

Teachers. This study will provide information about the Aquaponic System as
one of the to grow a plant. This study will let the teachers and students know that the
Aquaponic System is one of the best ways to grow a plant. The data gathered let the
teachers and students know that not all plant can grow a plant with Aquaponic
System.

Students-students whose major subjects are Agriculture, crop production,

and other related aspects can benefit this study so that their knowledge will expand
as they read the research paper.

The industry. The ideas of Aquaponics System can be used as an interest to

the people especially to the businessmen and serves as their new source of income.
Scope and Delimitation

This study will be conducted in the area of Purok 6-A North Poblacion,
Maramag, Bukidnon at Kim’s Residence. Under the institution of Bukidnon National
School of Home Industries located at Purok 6A North Poblacion, Maramag,
Bukidnon as perceived by the students in the section STEM FARADAY during the
school year 2021-2022. The said school is selected mainly on the proximity of its
location to the researchers and it`s kind of education. The school stimulates
Technical Vocational Education which Agriculture and Crop production is a major
subject among the students in the institution which they can benefit in this study.
The school stimulates the student`s right to quality, equitable, culture-based, and
complete primary education. 

This study is limited to the availability of the required materials and equipment
in Maramag, Bukidnon. Moreover, the result of this experiment will collect in the first
harvest.

Conceptual Framework

This study is anchored on the concept of comparative study. Comparative

study is the act of comparing two or more things with a view to discovering
something about one or all of the things being compared. Comparative study helps
to define the organization structure of the subjects as well as give the differential
points between the subject’s matter. In comparative study we attempt to identify a
cause effect relationship between two or more groups. Comparative studies involve
comparison in contrast to correlation research which looks at relationship (Bukhari,
2011). According to Greenfeld (2019), Aquaponic produce is thought to contain
added value to the consumer, and the environment.
Conceptual Paradigm

Dependent variables
Health;
Independent Variable Color
Amount of lettuce (pieces) Height
ph water level
Weight

Hypothesis of the Study

To test the differences of the experiment in different method, the following

hypothesis were tested:

Null Hypothesis: Ho: There are no significant differences of the experiment

in different method.

Alternative Hypothesis: Ha: There are significant differences of the experiment in

different method.
Definition of Terms

Aquaponics Systems -Aquaponics is a food production system that couples

aquaculture with hydroponics where; by the nutrient-rich aquaculture water is fed to
hydroponically-grown plants, where nitrifying bacteria convert ammonia into nitrates.

Nitrogen Cycle -The nitrogen cycle is the biogeochemical cycle by which nitrogen is
converted into multiple chemical forms as it circulates among atmosphere, terrestrial,
and marine ecosystems. The conversion of nitrogen can be carried out through both
biological and physical processes.

Lettuce (Lactuva Sativa) -Lettuce is an annual plant of the daisy family,

Asteraceae. It is most often grown as a leaf vegetable, but sometimes for its stem
and seeds. Lettuce is most often used for salads, although it is also seen in other
kinds of food, such as soups, sandwiches and wraps; it can also be grilled.

Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus) -The Nile tilapia is a species of tilapia, a

cichlid fish native to the northern half of Africa and the Levante area, including
Palestine, and Lebanon. Numerous introduced populations exist outside its natural
range. It is also commercially known as mango fish, nilotica, or boulti.

Ph water level -In chemistry, pH is a scale used to specify the acidity or basicity of
an aqueous solution. Acidic solutions are measured to have lower pH values than
basic or alkaline solutions. The pH scale is logarithmic and inversely indicates the
concentration of hydrogen ions in the solution.
 Review Related Literature

This section presented the literature and related studies of a comparative

study of the Lettuce growth using aquaponics and soil-based method.

Aquaponics System

Aquaponics is the combined culture of fish and plants in recirculating systems.

Nutrients, which are excreted directly by the fish or generated by the microbial
breakdown of organic wastes, are absorbed by plants cultured hydroponically
(without soil). Fish feed provides most of the nutrients required for plant growth. As
the aquaculture effluent flows through the hydroponic component of the recirculating
system, fish waste metabolites are removed by nitrification and direct uptake by the
plants, thereby treating the water, which flows back to the fish-rearing component for
reuse(Rakocy, Bailey, Shultz and Thoman 2014).

Aquaponics has several advantages over other recirculating aquaculture

systems and hydroponic systems that use inorganic nutrient solutions. The
hydroponic component serves as a biofilter, and therefore a separate biofilter is not
needed as in other recirculating systems. Aquaponic systems have the only biofilter
that generates income, which is obtained from the sale of hydroponic produce such
as vegetables, herbs and flowers. In the UVI system, which employs raft
hydroponics, only calcium, potassium and iron are supplemented. The nutrients
provided by the fish would normally be discharged and could contribute to pollution.
Removal of nutrients by plants prolongs water use and minimizes discharge.
Aquaponic systems require less water quality monitoring than individual recirculating
systems for fish or hydroponic plant production(Rakocy, Bailey, Shultz and Thoman
2014).
Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus)

Tilapia are stocked in the rearing tanks at a rate of 77 fish/m3 for Nile tilapia
(Oreochromis Niloticus) or 154 fish/m3 for red tilapia and cultured for 24 weeks.
Production is staggered so that one tank is harvested every 6 weeks, at which time
they are weighed and counted. After harvest, the rearing tank is immediately
restocked. The fish are fed three times daily with a complete, floating pellet
containing 32% protein. The fish are fed ad libitum to satiation over a 30-minute
feeding period. Tilapias are produced continuously in this system to maintain stable
bacterial populations. Hydroponic experiments are limited in duration. Between
hydroponic experiments, the system is operated with a variety of demonstration
crops or no crops at all. The hydroponic component has waste treatment capacity in
excess of the amount generated at the recommended feeding rate and maintains
acceptable ammonia and nitrite concentrations without the presence of
plants(Rakocy, Bailey, Shultz and Thoman 2014).

Lettuce (Lactuva Sativa)

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a well-known plant among leaf vegetables. It

belongs to the family of Asteraceae. The lettuce is rich in nutrient elements for it
contains essential elements such as minerals and organic substances.The
leafygreenvegetables also contain vitamin C, beta-carotene, fibre, folate, and
phytonutrients. It can be part of a well-balanced diet since it does not contain
cholesterol and is naturally low in calories. Earliness in vegetable forcing has a great
importance due to the advantages of high saleprices in theearly season. The length
of the growing season is Unauthentifiziertand Heruntergeladen 09.01.20 02:45
UTC52 Á. KovácsnéMadar et. al determined primarily by the characteristics of the
variety, the environmental factors (light, temperature), and the cultivation technology.
Besides traditional soil cultivation, there are other alternative methods such as
aquaponics and hydroponic gardening (soilless cultivation). Aquaponics is a closed
recirculation ecosystem, which is a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics. It is
an integrated bio-system where the plants and the fish live in a symbiotic
relationship. Wastewater from fish farming contains nitrogenous compounds,
especially ammonia, which could be hazardous for fish, even in paucity. Additionally,
toxicity depends on the temperature and pH of the water. Therefore, it is a
sustainable vegetable farming technique which uses natural biological cycles to
supply nitrogen and minimizes the use of non-renewable resources (Madar, Vargas-
Rubocki, & Takacs-Hajos, 2019).

Rainwater

The best choice of water to use in the aquaponic system is fresh, potable
water, and what better choice there is than rainwater. If you’ve been harvesting
rainwater in your backyard long before you’ve been interested in having your own
aquaponic system then you are well informed that rainwater is the purest and
freshest water because it comes right straight from the source in the form of
precipitation.

For the fishes to live long enough and your plants to prosper, they both need
fresh water to begin with. Though most of the people would depend on tap water that
has chlorine and chloramine-both compounds used to make the water portable-but it
isn’t safe to the fishes and it would nullify nitrifying bacteria, in which both pose an
important role in your aquaponic system (Chubaka, Edwards, Ross, and Whiley,
2018).

Nitrogen cycle

In an aquaponics system, the steps of the nitrogen cycle involved are most
significantly ammonification, nitrification, and assimilation. Simply put, the fish
provide nutrients for the plants, and the plants clean the water for the fish. With
continual fish feeding, water replenishment, and plant harvesting, the cycle continues
(Hu, 2016).
Enhanced Aquaponic System

The aquafeed industry usually supplements Nile tilapia feed with excess trace
minerals since the cost of inorganic minerals is relatively low (Nguyen et al., 2019).
Such supplementation also counteracts antinutrients, such as phytate, present in
practical ingredients, which can hinder trace mineral absorption. However, it is
becoming increasingly necessary to avoid excess nutrients in aquafeeds to preserve
the aquatic environment and to improve the economic efficiency of fish farming.
Particularly, excess minerals in fish feeds can result in serious negative interactions
among the different minerals in the body and even become toxic (Prabhu, et al.,
2016; Watanabe et al., 1997). Organic trace minerals are considered an alternative
to inorganic trace minerals in fish feed. Since organic trace minerals are bound to
organic molecules, they are more stable in the digestive tract and less prone to
interac-tions and antagonisms, making them less available to interaction and binding
(Apines-Amar et al., 2004). Some of the commonly available organic trace minerals
are metal proteinates, metal amino acid complexes, and metal amino acid chelates.
Earlier studies with other fish species demonstrated the higher bioavailability of trace
minerals from organic sources (Apines et al., 2003; Apines-Amar et al., 2004;
Buentello et al., 2009; Paripatananont& Lovell, 1995; Shao et al., 2010)

In Nile tilapia, organic dietary sources significantly promoted higher body

accumulation of Se when compared to inorganic sources (Nguyen et al., 2019;
Vinchira, 2014). However, inor-ganic sources of Zn are more bioavailable compared
with organic sources (Do Carmo e Sá et al., 2005). Therefore, in the present study,
we evaluate the effect of increasing organic trace mineral supplementation on Nile
tilapia growth, body composition, and gut histologyDifferent levels of organic trace
minerals in diets for Nile tilapia juveniles alter gut characteristics and body
composition, but not growthin both the proximal and distal portions of the intestines,
the fish fed 0%, 25% or 50% organic diets showed no tissue damage in any intestine
evaluated. However, intestines from all the fish fed 75% and 100% organic diets
showed mild alterations, as detected by the presence of eosinophilic infiltrates.
Inorganic Feeds

Fish diet is the most important part of the aquaponic system. This will help the
fish’s health and nutrients to grow and be a strong fish to support the plants in the
cycle. There are different options on what to feed our fishes in the aquaponic
system. This part, is the inorganic feeds. Inorganic feed are commonly known as
commercial pellet food for fishes. Commercial fish food helps the fishes to stay
healthy.Use of inorganic feed phosphates, therefore, has increased significantly over
the past few years and is now common practice. On average, their inclusion rate in
salmon feeds is close to 1%, (Zwat, 2019). Phosphorus (P) is an essential mineral
element for all living species, including fish. Of the P used in fish feed 46% originates
from marine ingredients, 30% from plant ingredients and the remaining 24% is added
in the form of inorganic feed phosphates (Nofima, 2012).

Organic Feeds

Organic feeds are also good for the aquaponic system, this will keep the
fishes and the growth of plants all natural in the process. The fish food that you
should be using in aquaponics must provide 30-40% proteins and contains a good
source of other essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. It is necessary to know
that younger fish and fish living in colder waters require more protein and fat than the
older fish or warm water fish. You can feed your plant feeder fish with vegetables
that can also be grown easily in your aquaponics grow beds such as kale, lettuce,
watercress, and fruits like bananas, apples, and grapes, (Vergeer, 2020). Since this
research uses tilapia which is omnivorous, we can use algae, duckweeds and
vegetables to feed them.Keeping a track of the diet of the fishes is very important
since this will make the production stable and make the plants healthy.

Fish Manure

Annual estimates of manure solids from trout production area bout 26.8million
pounds; From dairy cattle and swine, the amounts each year are roughly54 and 17
billion pounds respectively. Liquid manure is typically generated since many of these
facilities are confined feeding operations with wash down systems to handle manure.
In aquaculture and animal production, the goals of solids treatment systems are
volume reduction (e.g. thickening and dewatering) as well as stabilization.
Stabilization of solids reduces pathogens (both human and animal) and eliminates
offensive odors and the potential for putrefaction. Municipal bio solids treatment and
management systems are typically capital intensive, whereas on farms, they are
more land extensive, relying more on natural ecological processes to achieve the
desired goals. There are a number of natural bio solids treatment and management
systems currently in use; some are anaerobic (anaerobic digesters, lagoons, and
wetlands) and others are aerobic (vermin composting, composting, and land
application) processing systems. Anaerobic storage of manure in settling basins has
been the standard practice for liquid animal manure. However, the anaerobic storage
of manure produces offensive odors and air pollutants and reduces the organic
matter and nutrient content of manure. Land application and composting are the
most common aerobic organic solids treatment systems (Adler, 2004).

Ph of water

The pH of water is a measure of how acidic or basic it is on a scale of 0 to 14,

with 7 being neutral. In fish ponds, the time of day a sample is taken often influences
the pH4because of variations in the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in the water.
During the day, as algae and plants in the water remove carbon dioxide for
photosynthesis, the pH will increase. At night, the pH will decrease as carbon dioxide
accumulates from the respiration of fish, plants, and other organisms. Increasing the
total alkalinity concentration in water helps buffer against pH changes. Most fish
species do well within the pH range of 6.5 to 9.0.Chronic pH levels below 6.5 may
reduce fish reproduction and are associated with fish die-offs that sometimes occur
in the late winter. Newly hatched fish (fry) and freshwater prawns are sensitive to pH
levels above 9.0 to 9.5. In certain waters (sandy soil, no metals such as aluminum)
fish communities may thrive at pH levels below 4.5, but these are unusual
conditions. High pH also increases the toxicity of ammonia present in the water
(Haggard, Stone, Shelton, & Thomforde, 2013).
 Methodology

This chapter presents the methods and procedure that has been employed in
the study to include the research design, research locale, Profile of Specimen, Data
Analysis and Interpretation, Data Gathering, Experimental Method, Research
Instruments, Ingredients, Materials, and Procedure.

Research Design

This study will utilize comparative research conduction to analyze and

evaluate the growth of lettuce in aquaponics system and enhance aquaponics
system. The study was conducted using the quantitative method. According to
Kyavoa (2010), a quantitative research design emphasizes the objective
measurements and the statistical, mathematical, or numerical analysis of data
collected through polls, questionnaires, and survey, or by manipulating pre-existing
statistical data using computational techniques. Quantitative research focuses on
gathering numerical data and generalizing it across groups of people or to explain a
particular phenomenon.

A quasi-experiment is an empirical interventional study used to estimate the

causal impact of an intervention on target population without random assignment. a
quasi-experimental design aims to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between
an independent and dependent variable.

Research Locale

The study will be conducted in Purok 6-A North Poblacion Maramag,

Bukidnon at Kim’s Residence. The said area is selected because it is suitable
environment for the growth of lettuce in an aquaponics system.
Instrumentation

Observation sheet will serve as the basis to measure the height and weight, to
analyse the color appearance, ph water level, and to assess whether it is healthy or
unhealthy. The observation will be done starting on month of April down to May of
2022 in the year of the lord.

Furthermore, the observation sheet will provide enough information and

details that can able to aid the researchers’ capabilities towards conducting this
study particularly with the given amount of time approximately up to four months.
Observation sheets are a great way to gather enough information and a supporting
document to differentiate aquaponics systems and enhanced aquaponics system.

Statistical Treatment

This experimental study is designed in which researchers manipulate and

control two variables for the variation concomitant to the manipulation of the
dependent variables.

Comparative analysis aims to see the difference in the average of the

dependent variable between two or more groups. The comparison test (dependent
variable) for the two sample groups is the T test.

T-test is a type of inferential statistic used to determine if there is a significant

difference between the means of two groups, which may be related in certain
features. The t-test is one of many tests used for the purpose of hypothesis testing in
statistics.

Two Sample T-Test

Formula:
x̅ 1−x̅ 2
t= df = n +n – 2
sx x ·
1
1 1
+
n1 n2
2
√ 1 2
Where:
o t is the t-statistic.
o x1 is the mean value for sample 1.
o x2 is the mean value for sample 2.
o n1 is the number of lettuce from the 1st sample who provided a response to
the survey.
o n2 is the number of lettuce from the 2nd sample who provided a response to
the survey.
o sx1x2 is the standard deviation

The standard deviation (sx1x2) is calculated in the following way:

sx 1 x2 = √ ( n1−1 ) S 2X + ( n2−1 ) S 2X
1

n1 +n2 – 2
2

Where:
o sx1 is the standard deviation for sample 1
o sx2 is the standard deviation for sample 2

Research Procedure
First step, prepare the Nile tilapia, sprouted seeds of lettuce, rainwater, fish
pond, and the materials needed for the plants. Second step, the researcher will
install all materials to start the operation for the Aquaponics system. Third step,
“Nitrogen Cycle” the fish serves as the producer of ammonia NH 4+ and nitrites NO2+
which is the manure and bacteria, the manure and bacteria will be the food for the
plants, the plants will filter the water that contains manure and bacteria from the Nile
Tilapia, and the filtered water will go back to the fish pond. Fourth stem, to do the
Nitrogen Cycle it need a pump which will serve as the water supplier for the plants
and tube will be the distributor up to the plants. Fifth step, the researcher will gather
data and observe the health; Color, Height, ph water level of the Lettuce from
November to February. Sixth step, the researcher will harvest the lettuce within 45
days and determine the weight for each lettuce. Seventh step the researcher will
compare and conclude the result of Aquaponics Systems and Enhance Aquaponics
System.
 Aquaponics System Observation Sheets

Weeks Color Height ph water Health Observe

(cm) level

Week
1

Week
2

Week
3

Week
4