Design and Performance Analysis of a Double Rotary Table Aquaponic System for Integrated Fish and Plant Cultivation

Abstract

Aquaponics integrates aquaculture and hydroponics into an efficient closed-loop system for urban food production. This study examines the design and performance of a modified double-rotary table aquaponics system derived from a conventional hydroponic configuration. The study employed a Design and Development Research method with an engineering approach involving design, fabrication, testing, and evaluation stages. The system was designed with integrated mechanical and biological filtration, an anti-corrosion resin coating, and a rotating cultivation platform to improve nutrient distribution. Evaluation was conducted through analysis of hydrostatic pressure, compressive stress, and shear stress to assess the system’s structural safety. Results show that the tank capacity reaches 507.76 L with a hydrostatic pressure of 3.92 × 10⁻⁶ MPa. The compressive stress (2.62 MPa) and shear stress (0.66 MPa) are below the material’s allowable limits, indicating that the structure is safe for operation. The system also demonstrated stable water circulation and filtration efficiency. The rotation mechanism has the potential to improve the distribution of light, oxygen, and nutrients more evenly. This study indicates that the proposed aquaponics system is suitable for implementation in urban environments and has the potential to be developed as a sustainable food production system.