Review Sistem Aquaponik di GC Farm - Modern Urban Farming

Summary

In this video, the host visits Green Choice Farm in Cisauk, Tangerang, to explore aquaponics, a farming method combining aquaculture and hydroponics. Led by Abah Gus Coy, the farm demonstrates how fish waste nourishes plants like strawberries, spinach, and kangkung through a sustainable, symbiotic system. With minimal water and no need for chemical fertilizers or pesticides, the farm showcases simple, scalable solutions for urban farming. Abah Gus Coy shares insights on different aquaponic systems, from small-scale setups to large operations, offering a glimpse into the future of sustainable agriculture.

Takeaways

• 😀 Aquaponics combines aquaculture (fish farming) with hydroponics (soil-less plant growing), creating a sustainable and symbiotic farming system.
• 😀 Green Choice Farm, located in Cisauk, Tangerang, offers a great example of this system, using fish waste to nourish plants and vice versa.
• 😀 Abah Gus Coy, the owner of Green Choice Farm, has been practicing aquaponics for over 9 years, constantly learning and refining his methods.
• 😀 The simplest form of aquaponics involves a small setup that can grow plants like strawberries using just 90 cm of space and the nutrients from fish waste.
• 😀 Aquaponics allows for urban farming with minimal space, making it ideal for city dwellers who lack traditional garden space.
• 😀 The system is highly efficient; fish waste provides nutrients for the plants, and the plants help filter the water for the fish, creating a closed-loop system.
• 😀 Even high-demand plants like strawberries thrive in this system, demonstrating that aquaponics can support a variety of crops.
• 😀 In larger systems, the water from the fish tanks goes through mechanical and biological filters before being used to nourish plants, ensuring water purity and plant growth.
• 😀 The biological filter contains bacteria that break down the fish waste into nutrients, which the plants absorb, further contributing to system sustainability.
• 😀 The system is incredibly water-efficient; once water is introduced into the system, it circulates indefinitely without the need for replenishment, making it perfect for water-scarce areas.
• 😀 Abah's farm operates on a model where water is never replaced but only circulated and filtered, leading to a high concentration of nutrients over time and further optimizing plant growth.

Q & A

What is aquaponics, and how does it work?

Aquaponics is a system that combines aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (growing plants in water) in a symbiotic environment. The fish waste provides nutrients for the plants, and the plants help filter the water, creating a sustainable and efficient ecosystem.

What are the benefits of combining aquaculture and hydroponics in aquaponics?

The main benefit of combining aquaculture and hydroponics is the creation of a mutually beneficial cycle where waste from fish acts as fertilizer for plants, and plants help clean the water for the fish. This reduces the need for external inputs like chemical fertilizers and significantly minimizes water use.

How long has Abah been involved in aquaponics, and what has he learned along the way?

Abah has been working with aquaponics for approximately 9 years. Over this time, he has continuously learned and adapted his methods, refining the system to make it more efficient and productive.

What are the different levels of aquaponics systems that Abah uses?

Abah uses three levels of aquaponics systems: the simplest (mini-kit), a medium-sized system, and a large-scale system with 20 fish tanks. The simplest system is small and compact, while the larger systems are more complex and designed to handle greater production.

What types of fish does Abah use in his aquaponics systems, and how are they stocked?

Abah uses tilapia (Nila) fish in his systems. The stocking density is about 2 fish per 10 liters of water, depending on water quality and other factors. This ensures that the fish can grow efficiently without overcrowding.

What is the significance of the biological filter in Abah's aquaponics system?

The biological filter, which houses beneficial bacteria, is crucial for converting fish waste into plant nutrients. The bacteria break down solid waste and ammonia from fish into nitrates, which are absorbed by plants, providing them with the necessary nutrients to grow.

How does the aquaponics system support plant growth without chemical fertilizers?

In aquaponics, plants receive all their nutrients from fish waste that is processed by bacteria in the biological filter. This organic system eliminates the need for synthetic fertilizers, ensuring the plants are grown in a completely natural and sustainable way.

What is the role of the mechanical filter in Abah's system?

The mechanical filter is used to separate solid waste from the water before it enters the biological filter. It helps in removing heavier particles from the water, ensuring that only the liquid waste is processed by the bacteria in the biological filter.

How does Abah maintain the water quality in his aquaponics system?

Abah maintains water quality by circulating the water through the system. He does not need to change the water, as it is constantly filtered and recirculated. This reduces water waste and ensures that the system remains balanced and healthy for both fish and plants.

What kinds of plants does Abah grow in his aquaponics system?

Abah grows a wide variety of plants in his aquaponics system, including leafy greens like lettuce, kale, and mint, as well as herbs and vegetables such as kangkung, bayam, and even strawberries. These plants thrive on the nutrients provided by the fish waste.