This project was done in 2013with 

Mersin University - Agricultural 

Experiment Station.

 

Sea bream farms produce a lot of 

waste water. In general, this dirty 

water is usually discharged to the sea.

 

This project suggests that by filtering dirty water produced, clean water for strawberry farming can be created.

 

Fish provide most nutrients required for plants. Plants use these nutrients to pro¬duce crops. Hydroponic 

component serves as a biofilter. 

Hydroponic plants extend water usage and reduce the discharge to the 

environment. Integrated systems 

require less water quality monitoring than individual systems. 

 

Profit potential was increased in this project due to free nutrients provided for plants, lower water requirement, elimination of separate biofilter, less water quality monitoring and shared costs for operation and infrastructure.

 

Treatment Processes

 

Air stones, 88 in rearing tanks, 144 in hydroponic tanks. Solids removal, 

three times daily from clarifier,

filter tank cleaning one or two times weekly. Continuous degassing of 

methane, CO2 , H2S, N2. 

Denitrification in filter tanks. Direct uptake of ammonia and other nutrient by plants. Nitrification in hydroponic tank. Retention time: rearing tank, 1.37 h; clarifier, 20 min, hydroponic tanks, 3 h

 

Important Principles

 

Optimum feeding rate, 60 - 100 g/day/m2 of plant growing area prevents nutrient accumulation or deficiency.

Slow removal of solids increases 

mineralization.

Frequency of filter tank cleaning  

controls nitrate levels through 

denitrification.