Using a pre-established aquarium

[Thyef]

Hi everyone!

I'm new here and have never tried aquaponics before. I have a pre-established 20 gallon decorative aquarium at home. I wanted to try and use it in a small aquaponic system. Is it going to be an issue since there are live plants already in the aquarium? Are there going to be enough nutrients in the water for the water plants and the hydroponic plants?

Thanks!

[Jason]

The plants in the aquarium will be competing with the plants you will be putting in the aquaponics system. There is really no way to know if there will be enough nutrients, but the more live plants in the tank, the less likely you will get good growth out of the aquaponics side of the system.

Jason