DIY Aquaponics | Decorative. Practical. Simple.

Over 2 Years Later - https://youtu.be/oVpgZr2-oM8 Final Update - https://youtu.be/LES60BrQilc Let nature do the work for you. Grow plants with less effort and filter your aquarium at the same time. The main reason we do water changes on aquariums is to keep nitrate levels to a minimum. It is to also keep TDS levels stable (if you top off frequently with tap water). But no man made aquarium filter removes nitrates (the final byproduct of the tank cycle). Filtration usually includes 3 stages; mechanical, biological and chemical. None of which remove or absorb the nitrates. Add the 4 element "Horticultural" filtration and complete the ecosystem. Aquatic plants do not remove nitrates as fast as they build up in most cases (low tech tanks). The exceptions might include floating plants like duckweed, hornwort, anacharis or even large amounts of java moss so long as there is adequate light and the bioload is not too high. If you keep nitrate levels low you will tend to have less algae resulting in a cleaner and more stable water column. If you are new to hydroponics, I have not discussed in the video that it is important to have a portion of plant roots exposed to air and not submersed. This allows the roots to breathe. I also chose not to use clay pebbles in this system because I want a free flow of water and do not want particulate to be trapped and build up in the system. While this can be made into a primary filtration system, in my case this is secondary. Less chance of clogs, should never need cleaned and will always have good flow around the roots. No chance of stagnant or anaerobic conditions. There are so many ways this can be made or modified and there are a wide variety of bog plants that will thrive in this system. This is by no means the cheapest way or the best way. This was just a spur of the moment design of thought up. If you want to use your own choice of container, DON'T use plastic that crack easily. I chose PVC as its flexible and is not brittle. Run your hole saws in reverse to make the holes in plastics. Its the safest way to drill plastics. And honestly...the hardest part of this whole thing was actually doing the video. Affiliate Links: Pump - https://amzn.to/2Oh4AK3 Shelf - https://amzn.to/2GIVlhB Planter - https://amzn.to/2UierDy Sink Strainer - https://amzn.to/37LtA3Y 1.5" Threaded Adapter - https://amzn.to/2GNsWHe Vinyl Tubing - https://amzn.to/2UhkiZK Pre-Filter Sponge - https://amzn.to/2vI5fxX I recently added a little Seachem Matrix (pumice stone) to the bottom of the white container (under the black insert). This is just to act as an extra biological filter. I only added a handful so that water can still flow freely. If you want to add this, make sure you rinse the rocks very well or the aquarium will cloud. It is inert and is not harmful though. Seachem Matrix - https://amzn.to/3bohaRS  For the rest of the parts you should use you local hardware store as you may need to tailor the assembly to your needs.