Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LVIII
Written by Carmen Georgeta NICOLAE, Dana Cătălina POPA, Adrian TUREK RAHOVEANU, Florentina DUMITRACHE, Dorina MOCUŢA, Ehud ELIA
The goal of the aquaponic system was to establish a self-sustaining herbs production in an applied research environment based on a home ornamental aquarium as a nutrient source for the plants. The study was conducted in two different stages. The first stage was to set up an aquarium with ornamental fish. This stage was conducted over a 40 days period (including water cycling). On this stage a 400 liters aquarium was set up then populated with Goldfish (Carassius auratus auratus) and Bronze Corydoras (Corydoras aeneus). During the time needed to set up the aquarium, basil, oregano and parsley seedlings were prepared aside. Upon completing this stage, the seedlings were moved into the grow bed and an aquaponic system was established. Thus, the NO3 - rich water from the fish tank was directed to the grow bed. The working paper will present the steps to establish an ornamental aquarium, and how to turn it afterwards into a natural nutrients factory for a self-sustainable plant crop.
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aquaponics
