Project title: Fish waste in Hydroponics

Project Code: S-20

Engineering innovation Challenge 2024

Fish Waste in Hydroponics

S-20

Arshiya Verma, Nikitha Kannadasan, Afraaz Abdul Rahman, Anvi Choudhary

Yuvabharathi International School
 Project title: Fish waste in Hydroponics
Project Code: S-20

Project Abstract

The project proposes a smart solution for sustainable agriculture by using fish waste as fertilizer
in hydroponic systems. Hydroponics, a soil-less cultivation method, offers efficient water usage
and nutrient delivery. Integrating fish waste into hydroponic setups closes the nutrient loop,
promoting sustainability.
IoT technology enables real-time monitoring of fish waste parameters like nitrate and
phosphorus levels. This ensures precise nutrient control for optimal plant growth, reducing
waste. Nitrifying bacteria convert fish waste into bioavailable fertilizer, enhancing nutrient
uptake by plants and minimizing environmental pollution.
Selected fish species, including Tilapia, Carp, and catfish, offer balanced fecal matter
composition rich in essential nutrients. This promotes efficient nutrient recycling, enhancing
sustainability in aquaculture.
The project focuses on Kale cultivation, a nutrient-rich and market-demanded crop in Singapore.
By combining hydroponics with fish waste fertilizer, the project showcases a closed-loop system
where waste becomes a valuable resource.
Interdisciplinary collaboration drives the project, merging expertise in aquaculture, hydroponics,
IoT, and microbiology. This collaboration aims to demonstrate the viability of fish waste
utilization in hydroponic systems, paving the way for sustainable agriculture practices globally.
In conclusion, the project harnesses fish waste to promote sustainability in agriculture. Through
IoT monitoring and bacterial conversion, it optimizes nutrient use, reduces waste, and enhances
crop yields. This innovative approach exemplifies circular economy principles, transforming
waste into a valuable resource for food production.

Project Report

Problem Statement
Land scarcity in Singapore has given us the chance of using hydroponics vastly, with new
economic aims rising so shall the level of hydroponics. To maintain sustainability, we have
 Project title: Fish waste in Hydroponics
Project Code: S-20

researched that Fish faeces are nutritious which when recycled can be reused as fertilizer for
hydroponics.
Singapore Imports of Fertilizers was US$25.76 Million during 2022, according to the United
Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Total costs can be cut down tremendously
using fish faeces fertilizer.

Research questions:
● How does the fecal matter of fishes such as Tilapia, Carp and Catfish affect the nutrient
content and efficiency of the resulting fertilizer in hydroponics?
● What is the most efficient diet of the chosen fishes that allows them to produce the most
amount of nutrients in their fecal matter?
● What are the optimum conditions for the growth and activity of nitrifying bacteria and
how can these be maintained in the hydroponic setups?

Aspects:
Microbial Conversion Process: Monitoring the efficiency and effectiveness of nitrifying
bacteria, such as Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter, in converting ammonia from fish waste into
bioavailable nitrate for plant uptake.

IoT Monitoring and Control: Implementing IoT-enabled sensors to monitor and regulate
nutrient levels in real-time, optimizing conditions for plant growth while minimizing nutrient
wastage and ensuring the efficacy of the fertilizer.

Fish Species Selection: Evaluating different fish species, such as Tilapia, carp and catfish, based
on their fecal matter composition and nutrient content to determine the most suitable species for
efficient nutrient recycling in hydroponic systems.

Plant Growth and Yield: Assessing the growth performance and yield of Kale plants cultivated
using fish waste-derived fertilizer compared to conventional hydroponic nutrient solutions,
measuring parameters such as plant height, leaf area, and biomass production.
 Project title: Fish waste in Hydroponics
Project Code: S-20

Functioning of our setup:

1.Filtering out the fish faeces:

Fish waste, mainly faeces, is filtered using mesh or settling tanks to collect solid waste for
microbial conversion into fertilizer.

2.Microbial conversion container

Fish faeces are processed in a container with nitrifying bacteria like Nitrosomonas and
Nitrobacter. IoT sensors monitor pH and other parameters for optimal bacterial activity,
converting ammonia into nitrate for plant absorption.
This would include a sensor.

3.Filtering out the converted liquid fertilizer

This includes the filtering out of the converted fertilizer to strain any solid byproducts.

Method for data analysis:

Our project as well as setup allows the user to monitor the level of Nitrate-ions in the fertilizer
obtained. This would be fitted in the Microbial Conversion Container. The sensor contains an
LED display which would reflect the amount of Nitrate ions.

Implementation in Hydroponics:
The setup uses pH and temperature tests while in the real setup in labs, pH and temperature
sensors can be used and so can better quality nitrate-ion rod sensors which with further using an
Arduino cloud we can build and app or website to access real time data. This would reduce risks
of invalid data and overall increase circular economy and sustainability. We would be building a
simpler setup.

Circular economy:
Our project implements a circular economy in a sustainable way. Reusing and recycling Fish
faeces to produce fertilizer is economically friendly as it also cuts down costs of importing
 Project title: Fish waste in Hydroponics
Project Code: S-20

fertilizer. This nutrient recycling method can increase the efficiency of producing a faster yield
of crops. It also reduces waste and dependency on other sources to retrieve fertilizers.

Role in sustainability:
● By leveraging fish waste as a nutrient-rich fertilizer in hydroponic systems, this project
plays a crucial role in promoting sustainability. It contributes to the circular economy by
repurposing waste from fish farming into a valuable resource for plant cultivation,
reducing the reliance on conventional chemical fertilizers.
● The closed-loop system minimizes environmental pollution by mitigating the release of
ammonia from fish waste, while also conserving water resources through efficient
hydroponic techniques.
● Additionally, the implementation of IoT-enabled monitoring ensures optimal nutrient
management, reducing wastage and maximizing resource efficiency in agricultural
practices.
● This method can also provide fertilizers for various plant variations. Fishes like Carp,
Tilapia and Catfish work best for leafy vegetables.

Expected Outcomes:

Increased agricultural sustainability: By demonstrating the viability of using fish waste-

derived fertilizer, the project aims to reduce the dependence on imported chemical fertilizers,
thereby contributing to the sustainability of agricultural practices in Singapore.

Enhanced crop yield and quality: Through precise nutrient control facilitated by IoT
monitoring, the project expects to achieve improved growth performance and yield of Kale
plants compared to conventional hydroponic methods.

Cost reduction: The utilization of fish waste as fertilizer offers a cost-effective alternative to
purchasing chemical fertilizers, potentially leading to significant cost savings for farmers and
hydroponic growers.
 Project title: Fish waste in Hydroponics
Project Code: S-20

Environmental impact reduction: By minimizing nutrient wastage and pollution from fish
farming, the project aims to mitigate environmental degradation and promote ecosystem health
in urban environments.

Economies of scale and increased efficiency: With increased production of fertilizer the cost of
production per unit will decrease and can promote the investment in technology which would
reduce waste as well.

Diagram Of the Prototype:

Risk and Safety:

Though the project looks simple enough, it can present a few minor and major risks. Such as:
1.Disease in a fish: This can cause contamination in the fertilizer but can be identified if the
colour and the odor of the faeces is different and can be averted if alert enough.
2.Food Safety: If the harvested plants are intended for human consumption, ensuring food safety
is paramount. Proper sanitation practices and monitoring for contaminants are essential to
mitigate any risks associated with consuming produce grown in the system.

Bibliography
https://www.ourfoodfuture.gov.sg/30by30/#:~:text=That%20is%20why%20we're,a%20more
%20resilient%20food%20future
 Project title: Fish waste in Hydroponics
Project Code: S-20

https://www.ourfoodfuture.gov.sg/30by30/#:~:text=That%20is%20why%20we're,a%20more
%20resilient%20food%20future
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
359281363_Fish_Welfare_in_Urban_Aquaponics_Effects_of_Fertilizer_for_Lettuce_Lactuca_sa
tiva_L_on_Some_Physiological_Stress_Indicators_in_Nile_Tilapia_Oreochromis_niloticus_L