Biofloc excess as raw material for flakes production to ornamental fish and their use as organic fertilizer (Liquid or dry) for plants

Abstract

This research was focused to found and apply to Biofloc excess produced in fish culture. For this, two options were considered: a) Flakes production to feed Ciprinus carpio juveniles, and b) Liquid or dry Biofloc to use as fertilizer in Capsicum annum plants. To make Biofloc flakes, it was used 80% of Biofloc and 20% of charal flour (DE). Three diets were tested: 1) Only DE, 2) DE with carrot (as pigment source), and 3) Control diet (Wardley® flakes). For chili plants it was tested: liquid Biofloc, dry Biofloc, Triple 17 and only water as fertilizer. The experiments had a duration of 75 and 180 days respectively. With C. carpio the highest survival (80%) was found in Control diet, Biofloc diets only obtained between 10-26% of survival. With chili plants, dry Biofloc presented the best results with 11 fruits per plant, while the plants with only water presented only two fruits per plant. In both experiments, variance analysis (ANOVA) showed significant differences (P<0.05) between treatments. It is necessary to know the adequate concentration of Biofloc for the elaboration of flakes and use them as a food source for fish. Used as fertilizer, first, liquid Biofloc need to be dry and then applied to as fertilizer.