Is time to start growing plants on top of aquariums?
The aquarium is a wonderful ecosystem and most people will set up aquatic plants near the bottom. This is common and it’s something the average fish tank owner will do at one point or another.
However, what about growing plants on top of aquariums and getting them to stay healthy? This is where the fun starts to happen!
There are many reasons for growing plants on top of aquariums as long as you do it the right way.
The benefits include:
- Aesthetically Pleasing
- Consistent Growth
- Easier to Expand the Setup
A fish tank owner that is serious a bout growing plants on top of aquariums will need to take a step back and figure out how to set a strong foundation.
This is the only way your plants will continue to thrive whether you are taking care of them regularly or not.
This guide is going to demonstrate how to start growing plants on top of aquariums, what to look for, and which steps are key along the way.
Best All-in-One Aquarium For Growing Plants (EDITOR’S CHOICE)
- The AquaSprouts Garden is a self-sustaining aquarium & aquaponics kit for the home, office or school
- Fish fertilize the plants. Plants clean the water for the fish. Once up & running, aquaponics requires minimal water changes...
- Grow your favorite veggies, herbs and greens anywhere, all-year-round. No need for added fertilizers—let your fish friends...
Last update on 2023-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Tips On Growing Plants On Top of Aquarium
Tip #1: Buy an All-in-One Fish Tank
This is the easiest solution and one that’s recommended by experts.
There are several high-end aquaponic kits such as the AquaSprouts Garden, which offer an all-encompassing solution to both hold your fish and grow plants on top.
It’s a potent solution and one that is going to look great as well. Why not go with something that is easy on the eyes and is going to stand out as soon as you set it up? This is what an all-in-one fish tank is going to bring to the table.
The benefits include:
- Built-in Setup for Growing Plants
- Easy to Use and Sustain
- Quick Planting and Growth
If you are someone that wants a hands-off approach, you will need to learn how to grow plants on top of an aquarium the right way.
This is one option that is going to remove most of the challenges and keep things as simple as you want them to be!
Why find a grow bed and hope things work out when you don’t have to? Invest in an all-in-one aquaponics kit such as this and seen great results immediately.
Tip #2: Install a Grow Bed on Top
Let’s assume you don’t want to buy an all-in-one fish tank and prefer to work with what you already have. There’s nothing wrong with this.
In that case, you will want to buy a high-quality grow bed to set on top of your fish tank. This is going to be the foundation of your setup and it needs to be sturdy.
If you buy a flimsy grow bed, it’s going to start to break down over time!
Stay patient while selecting the right grow bed for your aquarium. It will make a difference because you don’t want it to leak, break, and/or start ruining the quality of your plants. When growing plants on top of aquariums, it is the grow bed that matters.
With a quality grow bed for your aquarium, it will become possible to set up the plants and know they’re going to grow safely.
Remember, the plants will spread and only a quality grow bed is going to keep them in place. Otherwise, they will begin to break after a certain point!
This happens often and that is what makes growing plants on top of aquariums a difficult proposition.
Tip #3: Connect a Bubbler to the Grow Bed
How are you going to get oxygen and water to the grow bed?
The reason you want to grow plants on top of your fish tank has to do with the seamless integration. It allows the plants to grow freely without needing constant supervision on your end.
If that is the case, you will have to buy a bubbler for your aquarium.
This bubbler is going to connect to the grow bed using a traditional PVC pipe. This pipe is going to make sure oxygen and water pushes into the grow bed automatically.
It’s important to make sure the installation is secure.
Otherwise, you are going to have a scenario where there are constant leaks. Not only is this bad for your setup, it’s also going to ruin the quality of your plants!
Tip #4: Start with a Few Plants
It’s easy to want to pot as many plants as possible in one go.
Yes, this is okay if you are an expert, but not so much when you don’t have a clue as to what’s happening! This is why it’s important to set up the grow bed, plant a few plants and then go from there.
If you see positive results then start adding more after a month or two.
It’s a long-term play, so don’t rush through the process.
Final Thoughts
When growing plants on top of aquariums, you have to show patience and continue to pay attention to your plants’ health.
This is what it all comes down to.
As you grow plants on top of the aquarium, you will start seeing patterns. Spot those patterns and make adjustments on the go whether this has to do with the grow bed, bubbler, or PVC pipe.
Each detail matters and it’s best to set a strong foundation for your plants to grow safely.
Here is more on aquatic plants and growing them inside or outside a fish tank – tips for saving aquatic plants in fish tank, how to blend different plants in fish tanks, safest ich treatment for planted tank, and quality aquarium substrate for growing aquarium plants in fish tank.