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Abstract. FLOCponics is a biofloc-based F&D (flood & drain) aquaponics system that can improve water quality, including phosphate, sulfate, calcium, and potassium values. This study aims to obtain optimal water quality so that tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and pakcoy plants (Brassica rapa L.) can grow fast and have high survival rates. The FLOCponics series consists of fish tank (FT), mechanical filter (MF), biofilter (BF), sum tank (ST), and hydroponics bed (HB). In general, the concentrations of sulfate, calcium, and potassium are still within the acceptable quality standard intervals, except for phosphate concentration. The study results show that the application of FLOCponics technology can improve water quality, which is indicated by good plant growth (absence of yellowing, wilting, and lack of nutrients). The same is true for fish, characterized by high growth and survival rates.
Key Words: Brassica rapa, biofloc-based F&D aquaponics, tilapia.
Introduction. In Indonesia, aquaculture is the primary driver of economic growth in the fisheries sector (Zulkarnain et al 2013). The problem of limited land in urban areas lead to agricultural land to be converted into commercial spaces (Sudarmo 2018). In rural areas, conventional aquaculture is in great demand, but the problems arising are solid waste and liquid waste originating from feces and fish feed residue (Deswati 2021a, 2021b). The accumulation of these wastes can cause a decrease in water quality which affects the physiological processes, behavior, growth, and mortality of fish (Effendi et al 2015a). One of the innovative solutions to deal with limited land in urban areas and water quality problems from aquaculture waste is to apply aquaponic system technology.
The aquaponics system is an integrated system between aquaculture and hydroponics (Stathopoulou et al 2018; Deswati et al 2018, 2019), using a recirculation system (Yanong 2003; Deswati et al 2021b), so that plants can utilize the nutrients contained in water (Effendi et al 2015b; Deswati 2021b, 2021c). The advantages of aquaponic technology are that it saves land and water use, is environmentally friendly, produces organic fertilizers for plants, creates quality food products with high nutritional value, and can improve the economy (Deswati et al 2020a). Deswati et al 2020b have reported that aquaponic systems are more effective in managing residual aquaculture waste to improve water quality than conventional aquaculture systems.
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