Self Cleaning Fish Tank?

[d_flo_yo]

I've seen at least one person on AA that has a self-cleaning setup. A friend of mine sent me this --> Home Aquaponics Kit: Self-Cleaning Fish Tank That Grows Food by Nikhil & Alejandro — Kickstarter

Of course he sent it the day it was ending so I bought it on an impulse

I have a few months before I can expect to get it so I was wondering if anyone on here bought one. Have a look at the link if you will and chime in on what I should expect with this setup. I'll certainly equip it with a heater but other than that I would like to add as little as necessary to make a happy home for ... beta ... danios ... who knows, that's why I'm here

Thanks in advance! I'll be sure to make a thread for it when it arrives.

 

[Mrc8858]

Imo that would only be good for bettas or small rasboras and shrimp. As for self cleaning, kinda, its pretty much the same as using a refugium to reduce nitrates and phosphates by plant growth but even the largest systems need water changes to replenish elements and minerals in the water. It would obviously help overall water quality but the only system that I would trust to run itself is nature

 

[Flipmikeskater3]

There is an aquaponics store right by my house and he has a 125 gallon with big south American cichlids and big catfish, and for his filter he has a like a 4' by 4' table with water being pumped in and ceramic balls that are used un hydroponics with tons of heads of lettuce, and other vegetables growing then water gets pumped back into aquarurium and his nitrate levels and everything are great as wells very clear water. Probably one of the coolest stores ever. Also had a 125 tank with same sort of filter set up with tilapia that he will sell for consumption when they are a bit larger

 

[d_flo_yo]

Imo that would only be good for bettas or small rasboras and shrimp....the only system that I would trust to run itself is nature

I know I can't put much in a tank that size. I don't really like bettas, not sure why, so I much prefer the idea of small fish and shrimp. Ill cycle the tank and test the water to see how we'll the 'filter' actually works.

If I did put a betta in there would shrimp or a snail be ok mates for it?

 

[d_flo_yo]

There is an aquaponics store right by my house ...

That sounds incredibly awesome! I would love to see that in action. It sounds like a cool project for when I have a permanent residence...and a bit more experience

 

[Flipmikeskater3]

That sounds incredibly awesome! I would love to see that in action. It sounds like a cool project for when I have a permanent residence...and a bit more experience

Yeah I'll have to take pics next time I go in the store. And you tube has ton of DIY aquaponic videos you should check them out

 

[CorallineAlgae]

the only system that I would trust to run itself is nature

Couldn't agree more, though even lakes and streams get rain or snow melt which is kinda like a water change.

 

[d_flo_yo]

Couldn't agree more, though even lakes and streams get rain or snow melt which is kinda like a water change.

Water will evaporate and the plants will use water so ill have to top it off which is a tiny water change. I can tell it is going to be difficult to siphon water out of this thing but I'm sure I'll have to.

Any ideas for plants? They should probably grow fast. I want to eat them basil, cilantro, mint maybe. I know mint and basil are very hardy and grow quickly.

 

[CorallineAlgae]

My cousin grew a ton of basil and tilapia using a method roughly similar to this on the roof of a restaurant. I know they had other plants but I forget which ones. It was in Houston. Pretty cool stuff but I only saw some pics he texted me.

 

[jetajockey]

I remember that aquaponics setup while it was still running on kickstarter. It's a neat novelty item. No system is 'self cleaning'. Planted tanks reduce nitrates and other nutrients, but they don't clean your tank apart from that.

For that particular setup I wouldn't do more than a betta and maybe a snail or two. For the plants on top I'd do some basic herbs like sage/oregano/basil/thyme etc. Mint would be okay but it is very weedy and will take over if you let it. You might want to consider weekly fert dosing once the plants get some size on them, I don't think that the average stock for that size tank will create enough waste to keep larger plants fed well.

I'm planning a really large aquaponics setup in the very near future, they are a great way to utilize otherwise wasted resources.

 

[d_flo_yo]

...
For that particular setup I wouldn't do more than a betta and maybe a snail or two. For the plants on top I'd do some basic herbs like sage/oregano/basil/thyme etc...

Good advice. I know mint is a weed and you're right it would probably take over and that's all I would have before long. Hopefully the idea of a betta grows on me, I don't like the idea of a single fish but there won't be space for much more.

You're saying I should fertilize the plants, through the water with seachem?

 

[DanTheGuppyMan]

Hey guys, I also saw this item a while back and meant to buy one, but I missed it I would just put a betta and some herbs pretty much like you all said. Anyone know of there are any other places to order one though? Or was that the only place?

 

[Hobgob]

Water will evaporate and the plants will use water so ill have to top it off which is a tiny water change. I can tell it is going to be difficult to siphon water out of this thing but I'm sure I'll have to.

Any ideas for plants? They should probably grow fast. I want to eat them basil, cilantro, mint maybe. I know mint and basil are very hardy and grow quickly.

Are you going to remove the water? Just topping it off isnt the same as a water change and also the fish and plants need the minerals in the water like mentioned above. If you don't do water change everything will just die. It would be like using the water from a dehumidifier to water your plants. Nothing is in the water(minerals) so it can't grow anything.

 

[BBradbury]

Self-Cleaning Tank

Hello d-flo...

The product is small and as I recall pretty pricey. Just a gimmick IMO. This kind of tank can be done fairly simply and cheaply. Half the fun of a self-sustaining tank is setting it up and preparing the right plants. I have a 38 and 45 G that require no mechanical filtration and the tank water is normally nitrogen free. The nitrate levels are between a trace and 10 ppm. All the tanks have a heavy fish load, so the plants grow fast and need routine trimming.

I have three 55s I'm converting too. The water changes aren't needed. You do have to monitor the water level in the tank and replace water lost to evaporation with pure, treated tap water. I have a 2 gallon plastic gas can with a spout. I fill it with treated water and some liquid ferts and pour a little water into each tank in the morning. Since the land plants are tropical, I find they grow better if I use a spray bottle and mist the leaves a few times a week. Takes 10 minutes or so.

Pretty simple.

B

 

[Hobgob]

I have three 55s I'm converting too. The water changes aren't needed. You do have to monitor the water level in the tank and replace water lost to evaporation with pure, treated tap water. I have a 2 gallon plastic gas can with a spout. I fill it with treated water and some liquid ferts and pour a little water into each tank in the morning. Since the land plants are tropical, I find they grow better if I use a spray bottle and mist the leaves a few times a week. Takes 10 minutes or so.

Pretty simple.

B

What if you didn't add fertilizer? Your adding the minerals in the water with the fertilizers every morning. Can you not do this and still have it work? If you need to add the water and fertilizer it isn't very self sustaining.

 

[d_flo_yo]

Are you going to remove the water? Just topping it off isnt the same as a water change ...

You quoted my post in which I said I would have to siphon the water out of it ...

 

[d_flo_yo]

Hello d-flo...

The product is small and as I recall pretty pricey. Just a gimmick IMO....

It is small, 3 gallons. It wasn't terribly expensive, $50. I agree that it may be a gimmick but I'll find out in a few months when it arrives. It is going in my kitchen so having fresh herbs and a fish won't be a bad thing.

I appreciate the advice you provided as well.

 

[d_flo_yo]

... Anyone know of there are any other places to order one though? Or was that the only place?

http://www.backtotheroots.com/

 

[jetajockey]

I've been working on one that is going to sit on top of a canopy, should have everything for it in the next week.

The trace minerals via topoffs is likely enough on it's own for a simple set of herbs. Growth may be limited by it, but I suspect lack of direct lighting will be more of a limiting factor (which isn't a bad thing mind you). You wouldnt want this thing in direct sun, the temp of the tank water would likely rise dramatically if one isn't careful with positioning.

 

[d_flo_yo]

Good advice again JetaJockey - Unfortunately/fortunately I don't get a lot of direct sunlight where the tank will be so I'll be adding a heater, my house stays pretty chilly.