Aquaponics And Hydroponics Systems – How To Turn Your Aquarium Into A

Written ByHoward Parker

Ever feel like you’re in a constant battle with nitrates in your aquarium? You do the water changes, you test the parameters, but that pesky number keeps creeping up. It’s a core part of the hobby, but it can feel like a chore.

What if I told you there’s a way to turn that fish waste into a valuable resource, grow fresh herbs or beautiful houseplants right from your tank, and drastically cut down on water changes? It’s not magic; it’s the beautiful science of a living ecosystem.

I promise that by the end of this guide, you’ll understand exactly how to harness this power for your own setup. We’ll dive deep into the world of aquaponics and hydroponics systems, exploring how they work, their amazing benefits, how to get started, and the best fish and plants to create your own self-sustaining masterpiece.

Let’s turn your aquarium into something truly special.

What’s the Difference? Aquaponics vs. Hydroponics Explained

Before we jump in, let’s clear up a common point of confusion. You’ve probably heard both “aquaponics” and “hydroponics,” and while they sound similar, there’s one key difference: the fish!

Hydroponics: The Soil-Free Garden

Think of hydroponics as gardening without soil. In a hydroponic system, plants grow with their roots directly in water that has been enriched with a special nutrient solution. It’s efficient and clean, but you have to manually add all the fertilizers the plants need to survive.

Aquaponics: The Living Ecosystem

Aquaponics takes that same idea and adds a brilliant, natural twist: an aquarium. Instead of adding bottled nutrients, you use the fish. Here’s the simple, beautiful cycle:

  1. Your fish produce waste, which is rich in ammonia—toxic to them in high concentrations.

  2. Beneficial bacteria (the same heroes from your regular tank filter!) convert that ammonia first into nitrites, and then into nitrates.

  3. The nitrate-rich water is then pumped to the plants.

  4. The plants’ roots absorb these nitrates as their primary food source, effectively cleaning and filtering the water.

  5. The purified water then returns to the fish tank, and the cycle begins again!

Essentially, you create a symbiotic relationship. The fish feed the plants, and the plants clean the water for the fish. It’s one of the most sustainable and eco-friendly aquaponics and hydroponics systems you can build.

The Incredible Benefits of Aquaponics and Hydroponics Systems for Your Aquarium

So, why go through the effort of setting one of these up? As a long-time aquarist, let me tell you, the rewards are fantastic. Here are just a few of the benefits of aquaponics and hydroponics systems.

  • Drastically Reduced Water Changes: Because the plants are constantly removing nitrates, you won’t need to perform water changes nearly as often. For many balanced systems, you may only need to top off water lost to evaporation. More time enjoying your tank, less time with buckets!

  • Superior, All-Natural Filtration: Your plants act as a massive, living filter. They are far more efficient at removing nitrates than any standard filter media, leading to incredibly stable and pristine water conditions for your fish.

  • Free, Organic Plant Fertilizer: Forget buying expensive liquid fertilizers for your houseplants or herbs. Your fish provide a constant, organic, and perfectly balanced source of nutrients. You can grow fresh basil, mint, or lettuce right on top of your aquarium!

  • A Stunning Visual Display: An aquarium with lush green plants growing out of the top is a unique and beautiful centerpiece. It brings a piece of a natural, thriving ecosystem right into your home.

  • Educational and Sustainable: This is a perfect project to learn about biology, chemistry, and ecology. It’s a hands-on demonstration of how natural cycles work, making it a wonderful and sustainable aquaponics and hydroponics systems choice.

How to Get Started: Your Aquaponics and Hydroponics Systems Guide

Ready to build your own? It’s easier than you think! You can buy pre-made kits or go the DIY route. Here’s a simple breakdown of how to aquaponics and hydroponics systems work in practice.

1. Choose Your System Type

There are a few popular methods, but for aquarium hobbyists, two are most common:

  • Media-Based (or “Flood and Drain”): This is my favorite for beginners. A grow bed sitting on top of the tank is filled with a growing medium like clay pebbles or lava rock. A pump sends water up to “flood” the bed, and then it drains back down. This is great because the media provides excellent support for roots and hosts tons of beneficial bacteria.

  • Deep Water Culture (DWC) / Raft System: Here, plants are placed in net pots on a floating “raft” (like a piece of styrofoam) directly on the water’s surface, either in a separate grow bed or sometimes right in the tank. The roots hang down into the nutrient-rich water. This is fantastic for leafy greens like lettuce.

2. Gather Your Equipment

You already have the most important part—the aquarium! Here’s what else you’ll need:

  • A Grow Bed: This can be a simple plastic container or a custom-built tray that fits on your tank.

  • A Small Water Pump: A submersible pump with a low flow rate is perfect for sending water from the tank up to the grow bed.

  • Tubing: To connect the pump to the grow bed.

  • Grow Media: Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate (LECA) is the most popular choice. It’s pH neutral, porous, and provides great root support.

  • Plants or Seeds: Start with easy ones! More on this below.

3. Assemble Your System

This is the fun part! Place your grow bed on top of the aquarium. Fill it with your rinsed grow media. Position the pump in the tank and run the tubing up to the grow bed. If you’re doing a flood-and-drain system, you’ll need to create a siphon (like a bell siphon) to allow the bed to drain automatically, or simply use a timer on your pump to run for 15 minutes every hour.

4. Cycle Your System (The Most Important Step!)

Just like a new aquarium, your aquaponics system needs to cycle. The nitrogen cycle is the heartbeat of your system. You need to establish a healthy colony of beneficial bacteria in your grow media before adding a full load of plants. If you’re adding this to an already established, cycled tank, you have a huge head start! The bacteria are already present in your water and filter.

Choosing Your Champions: Best Fish and Plants for Your System

Not all fish and plants are created equal in the world of aquaponics. You want a team that works well together. Here are some of our top picks.

Best Fish for Aquaponics

You need fish that are hardy and produce a decent amount of waste to feed your plants. Don’t worry—these fish are perfect for beginners!

  • Goldfish and Koi: These are waste-producing machines! They are extremely hardy and perfect for larger systems. Just be sure your tank is big enough for them.

  • Tilapia: The classic aquaponics fish. They are fast-growing, tolerant of a wide range of water conditions, and great for larger, food-producing systems.

  • Livebearers (Guppies, Mollies, Platies): For smaller desktop systems, you can’t beat them. They are colorful, active, reproduce easily, and provide a steady stream of nutrients for your plants.

  • Betta Fish: A single betta in a small 5-10 gallon tank can easily support a few small plants like herbs or pothos on top. It creates a beautiful, simple setup.

Best Plants for Aquaponics

Start with plants that are “light feeders” and grow quickly. This gives you the best chance for early success.

  • Leafy Greens: Lettuce (especially romaine and butterhead), spinach, and kale are fantastic choices. They grow quickly and love the nitrate-rich water.

  • Herbs: Basil, mint, parsley, and cilantro thrive in aquaponics. Imagine snipping fresh basil for your pasta right from your fish tank!

  • Houseplants: Don’t want to grow food? No problem! Vining plants like Pothos and Philodendron are almost foolproof. They are incredible at sucking up nitrates and are very forgiving.

Aquaponics and Hydroponics Systems Best Practices and Care Guide

Once you’re up and running, maintenance is a breeze. This simple aquaponics and hydroponics systems care guide will keep everything in balance.

Daily Checks (Less than 2 minutes)

Glance at your fish to ensure they look healthy and active. Check that the pump is running and water is flowing correctly. That’s it!

Weekly Maintenance (15-20 minutes)

Test your water parameters: pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Your ammonia and nitrites should always be zero. Nitrates should be low (ideally under 20 ppm), as your plants are consuming them. Check plant leaves for any signs of pests or nutrient deficiencies (like yellowing). Top off your tank with dechlorinated water.

Feeding Your Fish Right

Remember, the fish food is the primary input for your entire system. A high-quality fish food will provide a broader range of nutrients for your plants. Do not overfeed! Excess food will rot and can cause ammonia spikes that harm your fish.

Troubleshooting Common Problems with Aquaponics and Hydroponics Systems

Even the best systems can run into hiccups. Don’t panic! Here are some solutions to the most common problems with aquaponics and hydroponics systems.

Problem: Yellowing Plant Leaves

This usually points to a nutrient deficiency. While nitrates are the main course, plants also need micronutrients like iron. You can supplement with an aquarium-safe iron supplement. It can also be a sign that your fish load isn’t large enough to support the number of plants you have.

Problem: Algae Blooms

Algae loves the same things your plants do: light and nutrients. If you have an algae problem, it’s likely due to too much light hitting the water. Ensure your grow bed is opaque and covers the water surface to block light. Reducing the hours your aquarium light is on can also help.

Problem: Fish Seem Stressed

Always check your water parameters first! Test for ammonia and nitrites. A spike in either indicates a problem with your nitrogen cycle. Also, ensure your pump isn’t creating too strong a current and that the water is being adequately oxygenated as it returns to the tank.

Frequently Asked Questions About Aquaponics and Hydroponics Systems

Can I use any fish in my aquaponics system?

While many fish work, hardy species that produce a good amount of waste are best. Avoid sensitive fish that require very specific water parameters until you are more experienced with balancing your system.

Do I still need a regular aquarium filter?

For most systems, the grow bed is your filter! The grow media provides a massive surface area for beneficial bacteria, acting as a powerful biological filter. However, some people like to keep a small mechanical filter (like a sponge filter) in the tank to catch solid waste.

How long does it take to grow plants?

It depends on the plant! Leafy greens like lettuce can be ready for harvest in as little as 4-6 weeks from seedling. Herbs are ready for regular trimming in about the same amount of time. It’s often faster than soil-based gardening!

Is it safe to eat the plants grown in an aquarium?

Absolutely! As long as you are not using any non-food-safe medications or chemicals in your aquarium, the plants are perfectly safe and organic. The fish waste is broken down into simple, usable nitrates, just like in nature.

Your Journey into a Living Ecosystem Begins Now

You’re no longer just a fish keeper; you’re an ecosystem architect. By merging your aquarium with a garden, you create a beautiful, productive, and largely self-sufficient system that is a joy to watch and maintain.

Don’t be afraid to start small. A simple herb garden on top of a 10-gallon tank can be an incredibly rewarding first step. You’ll learn the rhythm of your system, see how the fish and plants interact, and gain the confidence to build something even bigger.

So, are you ready to transform your aquarium, grow your own food, and enjoy a healthier, more stable tank? Go forth and grow!

Howard Parker
Latest posts by Howard Parker (see all)
Related posts
  • Aquaponics Ph: The Ultimate Balancing Act For Lush Growth & Healthy
  • Aquaponics Technology – Your Guide To A Thriving Aquarium Garden