Abstract

The application of aquaponics aquaculture is needed to improve water quality, especially the addition of filtration materials which act as absorbent planting mediums for ammonia nitrogen content in toxic water. The purpose of the current study was to determine the effect of the carbon thickness on ammonia levels in Nile tilapia in aquaponics systems with Water spinach. The study used an experimental method with a completely randomized design consisting of four treatments and five replications. The main parameter was ammonia level. Supporting parameters in this study included initial and final growth of Water spinach, fish survival rate, specific growth rate, and water quality which included temperature measurement, dissolved oxygen, and pH. Each treatment consisted of variations of carbon thicknesses at P0 (control), P1 (5 cm), P2 (7 cm), and P3 (9 cm). The results revealed that ammonia levels were significantly different at P1, P2, and P3 in the third and fourth weeks. Ammonia levels during the study decreased from 0.3969 ppm to 0.1741 ppm. The reported value of 7.2 was for acidity degree, 29.3°C for the temperature, 5.94 ppm for dissolved oxygen, 8.42 cm for the growth of Water spinach, 0.44% for the specific growth rate, and 90% for the survival rate. Carbon thickness caused a decrease in ammonia levels in Nile tilapia with aquaponics systems through the medium of Water spinach.