starting small

[becky]

Hi, i've just joined.

I'm thinking of doing a system in a 2 foot fishtank, with some herbs on top.

Will this work? is a tray on top with my plants ok? is soil ok in the tray or do i need gravel or something?

i'd like to start small before i think of setting one up outside, and because its so cold at this time of year (i'm from victoria)

thanks,

Becky

[GaryD]

Hi Becky,

There's no reason at all why you shouldn't start off with a small system of the type you've described. Many people use such systems to learn about Aquaponics.

I recommend that you use an inert media like gravel, light expanded clay aggregate (LECA) or perlite rather than soil. This advice assumes that you are going to recirculate water through your growing system.

You can take a non-recirculating approach and use coco-peat....watering by hand.....if you wish.

If your fish tank is going to be inside, you'll also need a light source. Depending on the plants you're planning to use, you may get away with fluorescent "gro-lites"....similar to what you'd use over an aquarium.

Gary

[becky]

thanks. i will get onto it soon.

[twintragics]

Hi Becky. Get a foam lid like the top of a broccoli box. Cut it to the size of ur tank lid, cut some holes in it for peat pots and bang some seedlings in it directly on the water. You will learn very quickly how things integrate and it wont cost u a cent.

[becky]

now that sounds easy.

how many goldfish should i use and do i need an airstone or will the plants help the fish out with oxygen?

Becky

[Macca]

Aquarium plants can add oxygen to the water - but not alot. When you just have the roots of the plants in the water I would not expect that the plants would add any oxygen to the water. I'd add an airstone for sure - unless you want more than just foam floating in your tank LOL

[twintragics]

becky, ur local aquarium will advise on stocking rates etc. Perhaps just get some cheap feeder fish, so when you get a larger system, ur silvers etc get a nice protein snack. Won't cost you much for feeders and if you lose a few whilst getting a handle on things, it won't matter too much.

[Anna]

Hi Becky, sounds like we're on the same page. I think I might look into floating foam rafts with plants in them too. What would be good to make the holes? The best thing i could think of was an apple corer, is that ridiculous?

I trhink I'll start with goldfish because I'm scared that I'll kill stuff. I haven't found much information on how to set up from scratch, am I looking in the right place????:confused:

[becky]

corer sounds good, am just playing with polystyrene now, messy stuff!

[nogreenthumb]

hey becky,

where abouts in vic are you? I might have some goldfish(bronze comets) I need to get rid of

[njh]

a hot piece of metal cuts polystyrene very easily. best to do this in a ventilated room(edit: or outside :). Make the metal the shape you want.