NITROGEN AND POSPHATE ANALYSIS IN AQUAPONIC CULTIVATION SYSTEM BASED ON MAGGOT FEED (Hermetia illucens)

Abstract

The aquaponics system is an alternative solution that can utilize waste from cultivation while saving land and water use. One common obstacle in tilapia and catfish cultivation is the use of artificial feed which is quite expensive from an economic point of view and produces large amounts of waste, which can degrade water quality. This study aims to compare water quality in tilapia and catfish cultivation in an aquaponics system using maggot-based feed. The study was conducted from March to May 2025, located in Mandalle Village, Mandalle District, Pangkep Regency, and at the Pangkep State Agricultural Polytechnic Laboratory. The study was designed on a field laboratory scale with two treatments, each replicated three times. Data were analyzed using an independent t-test with a 95% confidence level. The results showed that NH3 levels at the beginning of treatment A: 0.003 mg/L and B: 0.002 mg/L, in the middle A: 0.124 mg/L and B: 0.102 mg/L, and at the end of treatment A: 0.065 mg/L. Meanwhile, the NO3 levels at the beginning of treatment were A and B: 0.001 mg/L, mid A: 0.080 mg/L and B: 0.044 mg/L, and end A: 0.051 mg/L and B: 0.044 mg/L. For PO4, the results were initial A and B: 0.002 mg/L, mid A: 0.048 mg/L and B: 0.015 mg/L, and end A: 0.051 mg/L and B: 0.022 mg/L. Aquaponic system with maggot feed provides a significant difference in phosphate levels, but does not show a significant difference in ammonia and nitrate levels.