Introduction: Mason Jar Aquaponics
How to have a small aquaponic farm in your own home.
Step 1: Materials Required
What you need:
- Plant seedling, I used pea plants
- 1 gallon mason jar like this one (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B012BAWVU8/ref=sr_ph?ie=U...
- Fish tank gravel
- air pump and tubing (Not required)
- airstone (Not required but if you do not have one you have to change the tank water every 3 weeks or so)
- beta fish
- expanding clay pellets
- 2 netted pots
Step 2: Preparing the Tank
Wash out mason jar, and was fish gravel to get rid of any dirt.Place fish gravel into mason jar. Place air stone within gravel so it is weighted down. Fill mason jar with either distilled water, or tap water that has been purified. You can also leave out the tank filled with water for a few days.
Step 3: Prepping the Plant
Take the plants out of the pot they are currently growing in and wash off the roots so that their is no dirt on them. Rinse the expanding clay pellets so that you get all the dirt particles off of them. Put a layer of clay pellets in the netted pot and then put the plant just above the clay pellets, Make sure that the roots stick out of holes in the netted pot. Fill the rest of the pot with the clay pellets until full.
Step 4: Putting the Plants in the Tank
In order for this to work to roots of the plant must be submerged in water. You need to make a top for the mason jar you have so that the plants don't fall in the water. Trace one or two a circles slightly bigger than the bottom of the pot on the lid of the mason jar. You can also sue cardboard, like I did, or styrofoam for the top to the tank. Cut the holes out of the lid, or material you used and see if the pots fit in them. Only about 1/4 of the pot should be in the water. Also make sure that you have a hole for the air pump tube if you decide to use it. Attach the lid to the top of the mason jar and place the plants inside the hole on the lid.
Step 5: Add the Fish
Let the plants sit in the tank for a few hours before introducing the fish to the environment. After that time has passed put your beta fish in the tank and turn on the air pump. The plants will start to grow quickly and very little maintenance is needed.