How to Build an Aquaponics System

The symbiotic process of feeding a plant with the waste water of a fish tank is known as aquaponics. Aquaponics provides greater plant yields and healthier fish that are easier to care of. These systems can be made in any size, from small 5-gallon fish tanks and single plant systems to commercial setups larger than a swimming pool. With no dirt to clean up and less waste to clean from the fish tank, maintaining an aquaponic system takes little care. You can make your own simple setup from common tools found in garden and pet supply shops.

Plant pot with a 1-inch hole in bottom
1 bag garden pebbles
5-gallon fish tank, setup with gravel and fish
1 small fish tank pump
3 yards of 1-inch plastic tubing in 3, 1-yard lengths
Super Glue
One plant
Fish Food

Instructions

- 1
  Fill the plant pot with garden pebbles and the plant and set it on a shelf or table that is about 2 feet higher than where you plan on keeping the fish tank. You will rely on gravity to move water through the system and therefore the plant must be kept higher than the tank.
- 2
  Secure 1 yard of plastic tubing to the hole in the bottom of the plant pot with superglue. This tubing will empty into the fish tank set below the pot.
- 3
  Connect the other 2 yards of plastic tubing to the small water pump and set the available ends of the tubes in the pot gravel and the fish tank water. The water will be pumped up from the fish tank and into the plant pot, and the clarified water from the plant pot will go back into the fish tank.
- 4
  Feed the fish normally - about as much food as the fish can eat in five minutes, twice a day. Maintain the system by cleaning the tank as needed, about once a month. Replace one-quarter of the water used with clean, room-temperature water, once a week.

Hydroponic Flood & Drain Cycle

Good Indoor Fluorescent Light for Plants

Specialty Gardens