1.What plants would be good for inside the fish tank, in an aquaponics setup?
2.What kinds of plants are usually grown in an aquaponics setup?
3.Can I grow roses, bushes and other woody plants?
4.What about grasses like wheatgrass, barleygrass, and rye grass?
5.Do all kinds of plants grow in any type of aquaponics setup?
6.Why is it important to keep track of the ph, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and dissolved oxygen levels?


(1). What plants would be good for inside the fish tank, in an aquaponics setup?

Duckweed, wolffia, najas grass, hornwort are good feeding plants if you have omniverous fish such as tilapia. Plants are really not necessary in the fish tank otherwise, unless you are raising an aggressive species, then you must provide plants and/or hidey-holes (i.e. flower pots, PVC pipes) for the smaller fish to hide from the larger, more aggressive fish. Please check the links on the DIY Homepage, as well as the DIY Classified and the DIY Forums for more information.

(2). What kinds of plants are usually grown in an aquaponics setup?

There is virtually no limitation to the kinds of plants, other than space and desire. I have seen a large potted palm being fed by aquaponics, as well as the smallest herbs. As a child in school, you may have sprouted many things in water, avocado, beans, watermelon, pinon nuts ..... Mostly, aquaponics is used for growing food, herbs, or flowers ...... but I've heard that people will try almost anything. Please check the links on the DIY Homepage, as well as the DIY Classified and the DIY Forums for more information.

(3). Can I grow roses, bushes and other woody plants?

As suggested above, it may be possible, it would probably be much more difficult, and take a much longer time to see your results, but to have a greenhouse full of roses, azaleas or rhododendrons would certainly make a hit with the garden club if it were done aquaponically whilst raising food fish and salad at the same time. Please check the links on the DIY Homepage, as well as the DIY Classified and the DIY Forums for more information.

(4). What about grasses like wheatgrass, barleygrass, and rye grass?

If you've ever sprouted alfalfa, radish, broccoli, fennugreek, and clover for your salads or sandwiches, you'll know how easy it will be to sprout and grow the grasses. People swear by these grasses and pay huge sums for small pots of the different grasses because of the many healthful vitamins, and minerals in them. They go great on salads and sandwiches as well as crushing and juicing them. All it takes is a tray, with paper towels, clay, or coconut fiber blankets as the medium, and you can trim them with kitchen shears ...... the best age for harvesting the grasses is 5 – 11 days, after that they start losing many of the healthful ingredients the younger ones contain. Please check the links on the DIY Homepage, as well as the DIY Classified and the DIY Forums for more information.

(5). Do all kinds of plants grow in any type of aquaponics setup?

No. Some plants require an acidic environment, and some an alkaline environment. Some require high nitrates and some don't. Some require a high PH, and some a low PH (acidic and alkaline) Some require high nitrogen and some high phosphorus. You must always research what plants you wish to grow and match them to the output of your system. Please check the links on the DIY Homepage, as well as the DIY Classified and the DIY Forums for more information.

(6). Why is it important to keep track of the ph, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and dissolved oxygen levels?

As stated above, many plants require different environments. To be sure those environments are kept at the optimum, testing is a necessary part of aquaponics maintenance. It is recommended that you at least get a “Master Test Kit” like the one which is manufactured by API Clik or any other reputable manufacturer. Until your system “cycles” it is necessary to check the levels at least once every day or two, .... once it has cycled, it can be tested every three to seven days. Please check the links on the DIY Homepage, as well as the DIY Classified and the DIY Forums for more information.


Disclaimer - NOTE: DIYAquaponics does not recommend one or the other of any supplier listed in these FAQS, they are private businesses, and are not associated with DIYAquaponics.

If you would like more critters to be added to this list, or if you feel there should be additional questions added and answered, contact the moderator, Jackalope, in a PM.