International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, Vol 3, no 6, pp 551-557, June 2022

International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews

DESIGNING AND DEVELOPING LOW-TECH AQUAPONIC

Aarti Meena, Bintu Choudhary, Ramkesh Bairwa, Suchitra Sharma, Seema Jacob, Fareeda
Hasani
Deaprtment of Zoololgy, St.Wilfred’s PG College, Jaipur.

ABSTRACT:

The aquaponics system is actually the integration system of two waste product. The aquaponics system can be ranged from the simple which is the fish tank is just
below the plant bed to the more contemporary one where it using multiple of fish Aquarium and advance technology to maintain the water level, quality and pH of
water and the interval time for the motor pump to be operated. To reduce the electrical energy consumption, the project carries out from the solar energy to make it
more economical and safe. Furthermore, the system has many benefits. First, the crops are chemical-free as the nutrients from the fish acts as the fertilizer for the
growing plant. The pH value of the water in fish tank will always persistent because of the circulating process. It also can be developed anywhere because it only
requires a small space of area. Farmers can save the budget to spend on utility bills at the end of the month because the system applies renewable sources to generate
energy. Lastly, aquaponics used minimal labor because man does not need to look after their grown crops for fertilizing, weeding or watering the plants.

Keywords: aquaponics system; pH value.

Introduction:

The word aquaponics is the combination of ‘aqua’ and ‘ponics’; aqua denotes aquaculture, where fish are raisedin a controlled environment, and ‘ponics’
is a Latin word,which means ‘to work’, and cultivation is carried out in soilless media. Nowadays, population’s food demand hasgrown manifold and
indeed become a crisis, with regularagricultural farming barely meeting all the requirements,and severe problems faced by farmers, such as high cost
of fertilizers, water for irrigation, land for farming, and soon. To overcome these problems a new technique called aquaponics comprising of automation
and which mimics natural ecosystem has been introduced. The method is very efficient, cost-effective, inexpensive, and free of various other issues
associated with traditional agriculture; this being a modern, computer-driven technique, there is enormous scope for automation and, thus, a wide range
ofapplications in agriculture. Aquaponics combines regularagricultural methods with aquaculture. In this system,the fish cultivated eats and produces
waste, which in turnis used as the perfect fertilizer for growing the required crop. Aquaponics describes the relationship between the water, aquaculture
design, and nutritional values. Plants grow in watercourses and circulates the power through the bio-integration various components. Hence, these are

Figure 1. Schematic representation of the biofiltration process in aquaponics systems.

very beneficial for the food system, and in most of the food crops obtained from the regular farming heavy-dutypesticides are used that cause
serious health hazards.Thus, aquaponics is highly prescribed, and the control system of the aquaponics can be heavily automated to yield more quantity
of agricultural produce or plants andvegetables.[1] The schematic diagram of the aquaponics system is shown in Figure 1.

Literature Survey

The quality of soil and climatic condition differ in various regions. Some soils have different structures withsubstantial content clay or sand. Some soils
have concrete,asphalt, and also heavy amount of chemicals and fertilizers used during cultivation, and this coupled with water erosion, wind erosion, and
other natural calamitiesleads to serious health hazards to food consumers.[2]
However, these issues are resolved in aquaponics as iteliminates weeds and the system recycles the water whichis rich in nutrients. There is no toxic run-
off in the system.Aquaponics uses just 10% of total water used in regular agricultural farming. Hence, it is very effective and usefulfor drought-prone
[3]
areas. Aquaponics uses a hydroponicssystem that consists of a. a fish tank – to house the fish and grow beds in which the plants are grown; b. a pump,
to move water from the lowest part of the bed to the highest part of the bed; c. a pipe, through which water is recirculated; d. an air pump ensures adequate
oxygenationof water; e. a filter tank installed removes solid wastes before water reaches the hydroponic grow bed; f. a sumptank is kept at the lowest
part where water collects and the water-circulation pump is located; and g. bioreactor, which provides mechanical and biological filtration and plant root
[4]
support in drained grow beds.

Materials and Methods

In a traditional mason jar aquaponics system, you’ll typically use a standard mason jar, a betta fish and a plant pot in the top containing your grow
medium and crop. A the classic mason jar is far too small for fish. A single betta fish needs a 2.5 gallon tank at the very minimum, which means a
standard mason jar is far too small. Don’t let this put you off however. There are a number of larger alternatives available on Amazon that are just as
decorative and better suited for keeping a betta fish. Size (volume) If you plan to stock a fish such as a betta then you need to find a jar that can hold at
least 2 to 2.5 gallons / 7.5 to 11 litres. Not only is this kinder for your fish but it will also allow you to harvest more from your crop. Size (space) The
second rule of thumb to keep in mind is that your fish should be able to comfortably turn around and swim. While jars are a popular choice, we’ve heard
of people successfully creating systems using large vases. That said, you want to avoid anything with a thin middle section. Opening: The final
consideration is that the opening at the top of the container should be wide enough for a plant pot. This is why jars are a popular choice as the opening
is more than capable of holding a plant pot. Choose Your Fish: When it comes to choosing fish for your setup there are a number of popular options that
come with various pros and cons. Betta fish are one of the easiest creatures to keep in your jar based aquaponics system. They don’t require a filter, can
be kept in a relatively small tank (2 gallons / 7.5 litres) and the males are beautiful to look at. While the don’t require a filter the do need the water to
be full of oxygen so you’ll need to change the water each week and put a real plant into the tank. You’re also limited to just one fish per setup unless
you’re using a large tank. A Note on Goldfish While Goldfish are a great choice for larger setups, for a small jar system they are far too large and should
never be used. Plants: Now for the fun part – picking what you’re going to grow! Almost anything can be grown in an aquaponics system but herbs and
leafy greens always grow well. For the best results you need to start the plant in soil and then transport the seedling(Spinach, Kale,
Lettuce, Basil, Coriander) to your aquaponics system.[7] The plant Balsam,(Impatiens balsamina) is selected because the plant is reported to contain
mainly naphthoquinones, coumarins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanidins and steroids, which might be useful in the development of new drugs
of the versatile nature to treat various diseases because of their different pharmacological activities [8]. This species, being the impatiens native of India,
it is widely distributed all over the country. Impatiens balsamina is known as Rose balsam in English and as Gul Mehendi in Hindi. Locally known as
balsam in Kerala belonging to the family Balsaminaceae [8]. Herbal medicinesbased drugs are commonly used in India. Balsam plant mixedwith other
herbs is popularly used in a bath after childbirth for general health. The drug made with allium cepa, locally known as onion, and fennel flower known
as black cumin, is used for the treatment of joint problems and coughs. The leaves of balsam plants are used as antiarrhythmic, expectorant,
antispasmodic, astringent, antigastralgic and anthelmintic [8]. The fish species selected is Pangasianodon hypophthalmus commonly known as iridescent
shark. The iridescent shark has earned economic value and become the fishery practices as well as the habitats of many neighbor countries.

How to grow plants in Mason jar aquaponics?

In growing plants aquaponically in a mason jar, you would need a large glass jar that will s erve as your fish habitat, net pots,
grow medium, betta fish, plant seedling, decorative rock/gravel, air stones, and water conditioner. After completing all these
items that are mostly available in Amazon and local aquaponics stores, the following procedures should be followed in setting up
the system. Prepare the glass jar by ensuring that it is thoroughly cleaned. Any glass design will do as long as it can hold the size
of the fish. For instance, a single betta fish usually requires 1 gallon or 3.8 litres of water. Another thing to be considered is the
opening of the jar. It should be wide enough so the net pot/s can fit in the rim. Place the decorative rock or gravel at the bottom
of the jar, including the air stones. Fill the jar with purified water but make sure to leave an inch of air at the top. Also, pour the
water conditioner that is equal to the water volume. If the fish came from stores like Petco, you should let them acclimate first
before putting it in the jar. After the mason jar is put in order, it is best to wait a week for the betta fish waste to build up before
putting the plant since it will be the source of its nutrients. This is suggested if the plant was already grown in soil and will only
be transferred to the container. If you are starting from seeds, you won’t have to wait a week since the plant growth will take
time and the fish would already be able to produce enough nitrogen through its waste. In transferring the mature plant from soil
to the net pot, make sure that its roots are well cleaned so there are no soil particles that can serve as a water pollutant. You also
have to be sure that the grow media is evenly spread in the net pot for the plant to absorb more nutrients and moisture. This goes
the same if you are starting with seeds. After s etting up the plant, put the net pots at the top of the glass jar and place it in an
area where it can get natural sunlight. [8]
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 International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, Vol 3, no 6, pp 551-557, June 2022 554

Results

The experiment was conducted for 60 days from April 1, 2018 to June 14, 2018. Four plants were grown in the hydroponic component. The leaves count
was first taken on the 14th day from the plantation. After 60 days the height of the plants was found on an average 24cms. It is an annual plant normally
growing to 20–75 cm tall [8]. Therefore, the experimental results are similar to those achieved in earlier research, confirms that this method and
combination can be effective. The number of leaves on all the four plants is counted after the periodic intervals of 7 days. At the end of 60days duration of
the experiment, count of leaves on plant A1,A2, A3, and A4 was found to be 78,62,94 and 82 respectively(table1). The variations in pH, total ammonia
nitrogen, total solids, nitrates, chlorides, and alkalinity were recorded. It was noted that with the change in pH and time intervals, there is a significant
variation in each parameter. With decreasing pH, there is an increase in all the rest of the parameters. When water was completely replaced, the parameters
show their average values similar to the values at the beginning of the first recycling of water. The biofilter was maintaining the total ammonia in the water
below 1 ppm. Forthe next 15 days, the ammonia level increased to 4.3 ppm. The water was replaced in the aquaponic component on the 30th day of
experimentation. As a result, the pH was raised to 7.4 and total ammonia was lowered below 1 ppm. [9]
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Table 1: Growth of leaves per plant

Plant A1 Plant A2
14/01/22 07 05
20/01/22 12 11
26/01/22 15 14
30/01/22 20 18
07/02/22 27 23
14/02/22 39 35
22/02/22 52 46
29/02/22 64 53
06/03/22 78 62
14/03/22 82 65

From table 2, it can be concluded that maintaining the pH ofwater is an important task in the system. The fish excreta started settling down at the
bottom of the tank. The quantity was negligible and didn't cause a strong odor in the water. Also, it didn't affect the water quality as it was washed
awayon the 30th day.
Table 2: Ammonia, nitrogen, nitrates and total solidsconcentration
NH3 N NO3 K
Dates pH
( ppm) (ppm) (ppm) ( ppm)

14/01/22 7.5 0.03 0.70 1.40 0.30

20/01/22 7.4 0.055 0.86 1.535 0.65

26/01/22 7.3 0.08 1.02 1.67 1.00

30/01/22 7.2 0.12 1.38 2.37 1.17

07/02/22 6.9 0.27 2.2 2.89 1.54

14/02/22 6.5 0.67 4.3 3.27 1.70

22/02/22 7.4 0.043 0.79 1.37 0.26

29/02/22 7.3 0.05 0.82 1.48 0.61

06/03/22 7.2 0.074 1.23 1.84 0.79

The dissolved oxygen content was recorded before and after recirculation of water through the biofilter. The records from table 4 show the dissolved
oxygen dropped below 1 ppm before recirculation. The dissolved oxygen level increased after recirculation of aquaponic water. It was recorded
more than 5 ppm after every recirculation. The recirculation periodwas kept 3 hours once after 3 days of a span. No death of thefish species observed
during the gap of recirculation cycles. The biofilter worked efficiently as the growth of the plant wasmore rapid than the conventional system in
practice The balsam plant growth was satisfactory with respect to height, number of leaves and flowers. The fish species namediridescent shark
proved its high survival strength as the system run with less dissolved oxygen for 45 days. The fish length increased from 10cm to almost 18 cm in
the span of 45days. No death was observed out of 6 fish within the experimentation cycle. It can be concluded that in the condition of very less
dissolved oxygen like 0.5 ppm, 0.2 ppmand zero ppm, varying pH values from 7.5 to 7.2, and high nitrogen levels (4.3 ppm) the iridescent sharks
can survive. [10] For almost 45 days, the biofilter without maintenance, proved its efficiency of working satisfactory for longer duration. With 1000
lit of water replaced only once in 3 months, the issue of availability fresh water can be solved tosome extent by implementing this system.
Recirculation doneonce in 3 days also benefits by reducing the demand for electricity and thereby reduces operational cost. This systemcan be
effective in areas like Alwar, Jaipur, Kota and Udaipur districts where water deficiency is at its peak or water quality is alkaline free. Recycling
and reuseof water to the plant and fish growth can be effective insuch districts particularly in Rajasthan.
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Figure 2 Shows different growth in pots with Betta fish and plants.

Discussion

There are some consequences with the working of biofilter asit couldn’t control the rising ammonia and lowering pH of the system water. Though the pH
value didn’t show considerable decrease, as it dropped to 7.2 from 7.5, it still makes significant changes in TAN levels. So maintaining pHfor better
quality control is the scope of this experimental investigation. The removal of the solids settled at the bottomof the fish tank is another area of the future
scope for this typeof recirculating systems. After recirculation, the DO levels recorded around 7 ppm and were decreased below 1.5 ppm, whereas
sometimes less than 0.5 ppm. An hourly investigation should be done to detect a particular time whenthe DO level falls below 4 ppm. The recirculation
can be scheduled more accurately with respect to these records. Thesystem needs to be tested with varying recirculation periods to examine the effects
on plant growth. Specific research apart from experimenting with different filtering media is required in hydroponic cum biofilter media. There should
besome innovation in further research in microbial activities involved in the aquaponic system and its optimization.
 International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, Vol 3, no 6, pp 551-557, June 2022 557

CONCLUSION:

The main challenge in the agricultural sector is to meet the demand of the growing food crisis along at the lowest cost possible. Given the cost
considerations, the method to be chosen should be simple to use, efficient, and reliable. Our findings show that aquaponics can meet all these criteria.
Just with any technology, this method has very limited issues and shortcomings, but the benefits clearly outweigh the disadvantages when compared to
traditional agriculture. Other advantages of this system include the generation of nutrients that help boost plant and fish growth; as a result, in this system,
expensive chemicals are replaced by less expensive fish feed, which means a major cost advantage in cultivation compared to traditional farming that
requires more money and also the use of harmful chemicals and fertilizers that contaminate the crop and are harmful to food consumers. This system is
thus closest to the natural ecosystem. The system produces zero waste, as it doesn’t require discharging water, and is more productive compared to other
agricultural techniques.

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