Performance of Nile Tilapia and vegetables Grown in Different Aquaponic Volumes

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of Nile tilapia and the lettuce, watercress, and arugula vegetables in a gravel-bed aquaponic system using the aerated fish tank-to-vegetable growing bed volume ratios of 1:1 and 1:2. Each experimental unit consisted of an aquaponic module composed of two containers: one to allocate the vegetables (500-L tank with gravel, measuring 2 m²) and another to stock fish at the ratios of 1:1 (500-L vegetable:500-L fish tank) and 1:2 (500-L vegetable tank:1000-Lfish tank). The experiment was laid out in a randomized-block design with two treatments (500-L fish tank × 1000-L fish tank) and three blocks (periods). The performance of the Nile tilapia and of the vegetables did not differ significantly in response to the increasing fish tank volume, with the fish and the vegetables exhibiting good performance results in both volume ratios. In conclusion, in aquaponics, the fish tank-to-vegetable tank volume ratios of 1:1 and 1:2 are equally effective for the production of Nile tilapia and the lettuce, watercress and arugula vegetables.