Different addition of molasses on feed conversion ratio and water quality in catfish (Clarias sp.) rearing with biofloc-aquaponic system

Abstract

Biofloc system can overcome the problem on intensive system aquaculture by convert nitrogenous waste into microbial mass that can consumed by fish. Moreover, aquaponics systems that culture fish and plants also able to increase crop yields and improve water quality at the same time. Combination from those two system could create synergism to maximize the effects from both system. This study aims to determine the effect of molasses addition on feed conversion ratio (FCR) and water quality (TAN, nitrite and nitrate) of catfish rearing by biofloc-aquaponic system. This experimental study was carried out for 30 days using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) consisting of four treatments with five replications. Those four treatments are based on the difference in the amount of molasses added. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Duncan multiple range test (DMRT). The results of this study indicate that the different addition of molasses is able to bring a positive effect on FCR and water quality in the catfish rearing using biofloc-aquaponic system with the lowest FCR obtained by P3 (1.33) and the lowest nitrogenous waste obtained by P2 but the FCR were not significantly different with P3.