• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.260-275
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• 2021

Aquaponics is a cultivation system that combines aquaculture and agricultural hydroponics. This study investigated the productivity of leafy vegetables cultivated in the hybrid biofloc technology-aquaponics (HBFT-AP) using Japanese eel fed two kinds of diets (Mash, commercial powdered feed and extruded pellet [EP]) and hydroponics (HP).The mash was fed to the fish in a type of a dough mixed with water for 6 weeks (Exp1) and switched to the EP containing 2.7% monobasic potassium phosphate (MKP) for subsequent 6 weeks (Exp2). Leafy vegetables of 8 cultivar were employed in the experiment and water quality [dissolved oxygen (DO, mg/L), pH, water temperature (℃), electrical conductivity (EC; ㎲/cm), turbidity (NTU), TAN (NH₃ + NH₄⁺) (mg /L), NO₂-N (mg/L), NO₃-N (mg/L) and PO₄-P (mg/L)] was measured 6 times a week. Leafy vegetable productivity (HBFT-AP vs HP) was compared in respective experiment, which was similar or somewhat higher in HBFT-AP. During the 12-week feeding trial, concentrations of nitrite (NO₂-N) and phosphorus (PO₄-P) were kept low in variability while total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and NO₃-N levels increased with time in HBFT-AP. At the end of two feeding trials, values of weight gain (WG, %), feed efficiency (FE, %), specific growth rate (SGR, %) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were higher in Exp2 than in Exp1. As well, higher values in hematocrit (PCV, %), plasma K (mEq/L) and inorganic phosphorus (mg/dL) were found (p < 0.05) in Exp2 where fish were fed the EP (EP: 38.60%, 2.80 mEq/L and 7.04 g/dL; Mash: 33.20%, 1.95 mEq/L and 5.50 g/dL). Leafy vegetables in HBFT-AP using Japanese eel fed the EP with MKP 2.7% had a productivity similar (4 kinds of cultivar) or somewhat higher (4 kinds of cultivar) compared to those in HP. Also, Japanese eel fed the EP showed higher values of Pi (m/dL) and K (mEq/L) in plasma compared to those fed commercial powder diet.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.408-417
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• 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effects of an aquaponics system utilizing catfish recirculating water on the growth and water quality in lettuce and chicory cultivation. After 60 d of catfish cultivation in the BFT-AP, the survival rate was 96.0% and average weight gain was 178.5 g. The WGR grew by 241.4% and the SGR was 3.0%. A comparison between lettuce and chicory cultivation using BFT-AP and hydroponics revealed significant increases in shoot height, leaf count per week, and biomass of the cultivated lettuce and chicory. The SPAD values also increased significantly by 15.4-43.3%. Water quality analysis of the BFT-AP systems and crop cultivation beds showed significant differences, except for K and Na. The average NO₃^- concentration in the sediment pond was significantly higher at 45.3±1.0. Comparison of water temperature, pH, EC, DO, and ORP in the BFT-AP system and crop cultivation beds revealed similar monthly water temperatures from July to September. The pH in the catfish culture pond was 0.3-1.2 lower than that in the crop cultivation beds, and the EC was approximately 0.01- 0.03 dS/m lower in the catfish culture pond than the crop cultivation beds. The monthly average ORP in the catfish culture bed steadily increased to 479.9 mV in October. Bacillus velezensis (AFB2-2) and Chlorella fusca (CF) were applied to the biological activation bed; the population density of CF showed a continuous increase, whereas that of AFB2-2 decreased after 15 d and gradually increased thereafter. Thus, the application of the recirculating aquaponics cultivation technology with catfish (BFT) enhances catfish cultivation and promotes the growth of lettuce and chicory. Therefore, it is considered suitable for the environment-friendly cultivation of lettuce and chicory.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.418-425
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• 2021

The effects of an aquaponic system based on biofloc technology (BFT-AP) were analyzed for eel Anguilla japonica as aquaculture species and caipira Lactuca sativa as the cultivated crops. The rate of weight gain rate by the eels was 178% (BFT-AP 200 head) > 136% (BFT-AP 100 head) > 100% (BFT). The eel body weight in the BFT-AP (200 head) significantly increased when compared to the BFT only eel group (P<0.05). The weight of the upper layer of caipira was 91±8.5 g (200 head) > 90±8.9 g (100 head) > 48±8.3 g (Hydroponic crop, HP). The crop growth in all BFT-AP groups was higher than the control, the hydroponic group. The total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and NO₂^--N concentrations decreased in the BFT-AP group when compared to the BFT group. It was possible to remove nitric acid from the aquaponics system and reuse it as eel rearing water. Although some nutrient concentrations were low in BFT when compared to HP, the nutrient concentration was sufficient for plant growth. The results show that BFT has the potentially to provide a sustainable aquaponic system.

• Proceedings of the Korea Information Processing Society Conference
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• 2021.11a
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• pp.1320-1323
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• 2021

최근 미래형 농업으로 주목받고 있는 '아쿠아포닉스(Aquaponics)'는 물고기 양어 기술(Aquaculture)과 수경 농법(Hydroponic)을 융합한 친환경적인 순환형 생산 시스템이다. 하지만 양식 환경과 수경재배환경이 서로 성장하는 데에 영향을 주기 때문에 농업인이나 일반인이 사용하기에 난도가 높고, 초기 투자비가 많이 든다는 점에서 국내 도입에 대한 문제점이 제기되고 있다.[1] 본 논문에서는 IoT 기술을 이용해 아쿠아포닉스의 단점을 보완할 기술적 대안과 국내 도입 문제 해결방안으로서 오토팜(AutoFarm) 시스템을 제안한다.

• Proceedings of the Korea Information Processing Society Conference
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• 2023.11a
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• pp.792-793
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• 2023

본 연구는 최근 농촌 인구 및 농촌 물 부족으로 인해 대량 재배가 어려워 짐으로서, 물고기 양식과 수경 재배를 동시에 할 수 있는 시스템이 도입되고 있다. 수경재배 작물과 가정에서도 쉽게 구할 수 있는 물고기로 선정하여 연구를 진행하였다. 향후 이를 활용하여 가정에서도 쉽게 수경재배를 할 수 있는 이른바 "아쿠아포닉스" 시스템에 관한 연구이다.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 2022

This study aimed to determine the photosynthesis and growth characteristics of Peucedanum japonicum T. grown under aquaponics in a plant factory (AP) by comparing those grown under hydroponic cultivation system (HP). The AP system raised 30 fishes at a density of 10.6 kg·m^-3 in a 367.5 L tank, and at HP, nutrient solution was controlled with EC 1.3 dS·m^-1 and pH 6.5. The pH level ranged from 4.0 to 7.1 for the AP system and 4.0 to 7.4 for the HP system. The pH level in the AP began to decrease with an increase in nitrate nitrogen (NO₃-N) and lasted bellower than pH 5.5 for 15-67 DAT. It was found that ammonium nitrogen (NH₄-N) continued to increase even under low pH conditions. EC was maintained at 1.3 to 1.5 dS·m^-1 in both systems. The concentration of major mineral elements in the fish tank was higher than that of the hydroponics, except for K and Mg. There was no significant difference in the photosynthesis characteristics, but the PIABS parameters were 30.4% lower in the AP compared to the HP at the 34DAT and 12.0% lower at the 74DAT. There was no significant difference in the growth characteristics, but the petiole length was 56% longer in the leaf grown under the AP system. While there was no significant difference in the fresh and dry weights of leaf and root, the leaf area ratio was 36.43% higher in the AP system. All the integrated results suggest that aquaponics is a highly-sustainable farming to safely produce food by recycling agricultural by-products, and to produce Peucedanum japonicum as much as hydroponics under a proper fish density and pH level.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.606-619
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• 2020

This study investigated the effects of crude protein levels in diets containing monobasic potassium phosphate (MKP) on water quality and the growth of Japanese eels Anguilla japonica and leafy vegetables in a Hybrid BFT-Aquaponics (HBFT-AP) system. The first experiment (EXP1) was designed to verify the effects of the feed itself on leafy vegetable productivity using two diets (CP48 and CP30) with MKP and one commercial eel diet (COM58). The second experiment (EXP2) examined the effects of the three diets on productivity of the fish and leafy vegetables in the HBFT-AP for 6 weeks. After the 6 week feeding trial, the weight gain, feed efficiency, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio of fish fed COM58 and CP48 were higher than those of fish fed CP30 (P<0.05) and the growth of the four leafy vegetables was the highest with fish fed CP48. Water quality was measured six times per week using a portable water quality meter and reagent measurements and showed variance with time for TAN (0.01-0.09 mg/L), NO₂-N (0.010-0.064 mg/L), NO₃-N (5.52-27.15 mg/L), PO₄-P (2.03-5.32 mg/L) and pH (7.86-6.15).

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.159-172
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• 2019

This study investigated the effects of dietary monobasic potassium phosphate (MKP) on the growth of the far eastern catfish Silurus asotus and four leafy vegetables in a hybrid biofloc technology aquaponic system. To an experimental diet containing 45% protein and 7% lipid, 1, 2, 3 or 4% MKP was added and was designated as MKP1, MKP2, MKP3, and MKP4, respectively. The optimum MKP levels were determined for the growth of fish and four leafy vegetables over 10 weeks. After the 10-week feeding trial, weight gain, feed efficiency, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio were higher in the fish groups fed MKP2 and MKP3 than in the other groups (P<0.05). The growth of the four leafy vegetables was also higher in the fish groups fed MKP2 and MKP3. Water quality [dissolved oxygen, pH, water temperature, electrical conductivity, turbidity, total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), $NO_2-N$, $NO_3-N$ and $PO_4-P$] was measured six times a week using a portable water quality meter and reagent measurements. The TAN (4.58-20.40 mg/L), $NO_3-N$ (24.12-52.40 mg/L) and $PO_4-P$ (20.38-48.48 mg/L) levels increased with time, while the $NO_2-N$ level remained below 0.1 mg/L throughout the study.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.49-55
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• 2024

This paper proposes PredFeed Net, a neural network model that mimics the food distribution of fish farming experts. Unlike existing food distribution automation systems, PredFeed Net predicts food distribution by learning the food distribution patterns of experts. This has the advantage of being able to learn using only existing environmental data and food distribution records from food distribution experts, without the need to experiment by changing food distribution variables according to the environment in an actual aquarium. After completing training, PredFeed Net predicts the next food ration based on the current environment or fish condition. Prediction of feed ration is a necessary element for automating feed ration, and feed ration automation contributes to the development of modern fish farming such as smart aquaculture and aquaponics systems.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.122-131
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• 2023

This study was aimed to determine the effects of grow media on the mineral contents of the leaves and growth characteristics of strawberry grown under aquaponics system in a plant factory. For aquaculture, 12 fish (Cyprinus carpio) (total weight, 2.0 kg) were raised in an aquaponics tank (W 0.7 m × L 1.5 m × H 0.45 m, 472.5 L) filled with 367.5 L of water at a density of 5.44 kg·m^-3 and total 34 of strawberry seedlings were transplanted in the pots filed with 200 g of orchid stone, hydroball or polyurethane sponge in the growing bed (W 0.7 m × L 1.5 m × H 0.22 m) laid out with holly acrylic sheet (140×60 mm, Ø80) on the top of the system. The pH and EC of the aquaponic solution was ranged from 7.6 to 4.9 and 0.24-0.91 dS·m^-1, respectively. The concentration of NO_3-N was about 28% lower than that of the hydroponic standard solution, and K, Fe and B were 10, 27 and 3.8 times lower, respectively; however, the mineral contents of strawberry leaves were in the appropriate ranges with lower contents in the leaves grown with sponge media. The organic content (OM), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) of the sludge were 61.5, 5.72, 8.92, and 0.24%, respectively. The leaf area, leaf number, and dry and fresh weights of shoot at 81 DAT were significantly higher in the hydroball, and the average number of fruits per plant was significantly higher in both the orchid stone and hydroball. There was no significant difference in the fresh and dry weights of fruits. Integrated all the results suggest that the orchid stone and hydroball media are more effective to utilize nutrients in solid particles of aquaponic solution, compared to the polyurethane sponge.