Design of solar powered vertical aquarium filtering system for clarias gariepinus (African catfish)

Abstract

Fish production in Pangasinan specifically fish farming is mainly monopolized by people with financial capabilities. Local farmers work for these people or rely mainly on working with these capitalists. NIFTDC BFAR Dagupan conceptualized vertical farming for small scale fish farmers. However, these fish condo consumes local grid power and Dr. Westly Rosario of NIFTDC BFAR Daugupan aimed to help these farmers even without local grid supply. A design of solar powered aquarium was developed to respond to this need. The design system uses solar panel as its source. Computations show that a 400-watt solar panel can supply the system load including the motor pump. Charging and discharging time of the battery were also determined. Maximum panel output was also suggested following the optimum tilt per month. An automatic water filtering system was also included that measures both dissolved oxygen and pH level of the water inside the culture chambers. Nominal values of pH and dissolved oxygen were set to automatically normalize these values according to the appropriate aquatic living conditions of African catfish. An ROI of 0.14 and payback period of 7.84 were determined. Computations were based from the capital investment of BFAR Dagupan. Growth and yield rate of African catfish are expected to improve in the application of the system to the vertical aquariums.