Fish Aquarium x AG: First Attempt

[Tori]

Like everyone, on Prime Day I was finding things I never knew I needed. This was when I stumbled across the AG. I was utterly fascinated by it and immediately wanted one, but then it dawned on me... what if I don't need to buy the appliance and can instead grow directly in my aquarium?

I looked at the dimensions of an AG unit and began construction.

I decided to make the platform out of "purple foam" (aka pink foam, aka insulation foam) which I have used for tons of other floating tank projects. I cut the foam to approx 11" wide x 12" long, if I recall correctly. If this works, the size can be modified.

Saturday, 7-16-22, I officially put the pods into the platform and inserted the platform into the tank.

Being that I have no idea what will work best, I decided to try:
3 assorted lettuce from one lettuce kit
1 jalapeño from Salsa Kit
1 tamoto from Salsa Kit.

7-18-22: Woo hoo! I have a sprout! It's one of the lettuce.

Really looking forward to seeing how this turns out. If anyone has tried this method and has any suggestions or advice, please let me know!

[Sher]

Welcome, Tori! It sounds like you may have discovered Kratky hydroponics. For endless fun, check it out on Youtube.

We are very happy to see you here!

[Shawn]

Hello and welcome Tori

We are happy that you have found us.  I myself have never done kratky but there is a lot of great info on it here.  We have some that have created their own AG's and they should be able to shed some light on it for you, so I hope.

Maybe mike, ERR0R1755 or airscapes can add something.  I know the three have done some things whether be totes or AG dups.

Keep us posted on how you do and what you change or add to the mix.

[The Illusive Man]

Welcome Tori 

[lynnee]

Hi Tori! We'd love to see a photo of your setup!  Are you using some kind of grow light?



P.S. Here's a link to a thread about how to post photos. aerogardenaddicts.com/post/27/thread

[mike]

Hi Tori, welcome to the forum. 

If you wish to grow greens, tomatoes and peppers, it would be better to keep the greens and herbs separate from the tomatoes and peppers. The greens would be mostly done before you even saw fruit on the fruiting plants. They have different pH requirements as well.

Good luck on your projects.

[ERR0R1755]

If this aquarium has fish in it, it's called aquaponics - I've never tried it but I have heard it's better for the fish, since the plants filter out and absorb nutrients from the fish waste.

Based off what I've heard, the two keys to success are to make sure the roots are separated from the fish to some extent (or the fish will eat the roots and kill the plant), and to keep up with removing any dead leaves (or anything that could fall into the water and rot).

I'm interested to see how this goes!

[Shawn]

Hmmm, I wonder if Tori is growing with fish or just using the tank itself?    If the tank itself, that could become an issue with algae unless the tank is completed closed from the light.  I never thought of fish below.  I have seen small units to grow micros with fish below.

[mike]

I've stayed away from aquaponics because the two people I know that did it kept losing all their fish. Neither one has fish anymore. Neither does hydroponics either. One has a beautiful yard, though. Aquaponics isn't something to start with.

I still want to try it at some point. Probably after I retire.