The relatively recent gardening trend of aquaponics has been gathering more and more enthusiasts with each passing year. The field essentially combines hydroponics and aquaculture into a single practice. The plants in the system thrive on fish waste while the fish thrive on the organisms that grow on the plants’ root system and additional fish diets. If you are interested in aquaponics, you have probably realized that choosing an aquaponics kit is one of the biggest decisions that you have to make. While every manufacturer promotes their kit as the best in the market, there are numerous factors you should consider before purchasing one.

Best Aquaponics Kits

Back to the Roots Indoor Aquaponic Garden and Fishtank

Pros

• Comes with a comprehensive guide
• Great product for interested learners
• Quite feature-packed

Cons

• Quite pricey
• Less than stellar build quality
• Entire system requires too much attention

The Back to the Roots Indoor Aquaponic Garden and Fishtank is essentially an all-year-round water garden that allows a user to grow plants throughout the year. The system allows the gardener to harvest fully organic microgreens from their aquarium in a mere 10 days. The fish waste fertilizes the plants in the system while the plants clean the water for the fish. Additionally, the system comes with a free curriculum to encourage children to learn more about the entire field of aquaponics.

For beginners and enthusiasts, the Back to the Roots Mini Aquaponic Kit comes with everything necessary for gardening. These include fish food, grow stones, Zym-Bac, D-Klor (for water purification), and organic seeds. Combined with the self-cleaning cycle, the Back to the Roots kit becomes the ideal aquaponics system. If you are looking for an easy-to-use aquaponics system, you should undoubtedly be considering the Back to the Roots Mini Aquaponic Kit. The only minor misgiving is that the kit is somewhat pricey compared to the alternatives and a less than impressive build quality.

 

AquaSprouts Garden

Pros

• Impressive manufacturer’s warranty
• Compatible with most aquariums
• Removable light bar

Cons

• Does not come with a tank
• Poor value for money

The AquaSprouts Garden is a self-sustaining aquaponics kit ideal for the home or office. In the system, the fish’s waste provides fertilizer for the plants while the plants purify the water for the fish’s well-being. The garden perfectly fits any ten-gallon aquarium since it does not include a fish tank in the package. The AquaSprouts Garden features a freestanding, simple, and maintenance-free design that makes indoor gardening extremely easy, even for beginners.

With the fish waste fertilizing the plants, the system eliminated the need for conventional fertilizers. The AquaSprouts Garden comes in a package containing several parts. The first is the garden itself that comes in an elegant matte black design, ideal for any décor. There is also a removable light bar that functions as a grow light. The bar enhances photosynthesis in conditions with insufficient natural light. The package also contains a water pump and timer capable of pumping 160 gallons every hour. The timer can be set for 15-minute intervals over a 24-hour period. Both the pump and timer come with the manufacturer’s one-year warranty.

The manufacturer also provides a growing medium to replace the conventional use of soil. The medium also acts as a surface for bacteria to thrive and convert fish waste into nutrients usable by the plants.

 

Hydroponics Growing System Indoor Garden

Pros

• Feature-packed
• Highly programmable LED lights
• Efficient closed-loop system

Cons

• Water pump can be quite noisy
• Lid does not fit properly

The Hydroponics Growing System Indoor Garden is a closed-loop system that allows users to grow decorative plants or organic produce from the comfort of their homes or offices. The fishes and plants live in perfect symbiotic harmony. There is 90% less water use in this aquaponics system compared to conventional farming systems and the plants grow 25% faster. The inbuilt LED lights enhance photosynthesis in indoor conditions that have less than adequate sunlight.

The 20-gallon fish tank requires no water change since the closed-loop design keeps the water pure enough for the fish and plants. For beginners and those without much experience, the manufacturer includes a detailed instruction manual with the product. The LED lights are also highly programmable and energy-efficient. If you want a feature-packed, energy-efficient aquaponics system, consider the Hydroponics Growing System Indoor Garden among your options.

 

Penn-Plax Aquaponic Betta Fish Tank

Pros

• Relatively cheap
• Simple design
• Extremely clear plastic

Cons

• Not ideal for fish that thrive in warm water
• Water needs to be regularly changed

The Penn-Plax Aquaponic Betta Fish Tank is designed for people who want to rear small-sized fish such as danios, white minnows, or betta alongside their favorite household herbs. The outstanding symbiotic relationship between fish and plants keeps the water pure and the plants fertilized. Besides being amazingly functional, the fish tank also adds a touch of beauty to the living room, office, or any other area.

The Penn-Plax Aquaponic Betta Fish Tank is made from ultra-clear plastic allowing users to view the growing fish and plants. Additionally, the manufacturer includes a ceramic growing substrate with every unit and a lid to prevent inadvertent splashes. Numerous plants can be planted in the kit. These include leafy lettuce, chives, watercress, peppermint, English ivy, and Chinese evergreen.

If you are in the market for a cheap and functional aquaponics fish tank, the Penn-Plax Aquaponic Betta Fish Tank is certainly among the best options you can get.

 

Aquaponics Planter Kit for Betta Fish

Pros

• Comes with numerous accessories
• Easy to use
• Comprehensive handbook ideal for beginners

Cons

• Limited to a single fish species
• Fish tank is relatively small compared to most alternatives

The Aquaponics Planter Kit for Betta Fish is a premium product designed to provide an unrivaled fish-keeping experience with Boutique Betta fish. The manufacturer includes an easy-to-use guidebook ideal for beginners and inexperienced aquaponics farmers. The package includes numerous accessories such as a planter lid, growing medium, baskets with liners, cleaning sponge, water pitcher, high-protein fish food, soothing solution, Cycle Good bacteria, water treatment, Cycle Boost bacteria, fish tank, and porous rock gravel.

The glass tank features a rimless design without a frame and is made from a low-iron design that results in excellent optical clarity. The included rock gravel is highly porous, pre-rinsed, and sourced from California. The included water conditioner neutralizes the effects of heavy metals and harmful chlorine present in most tap water.

What to Look for When Buying an Aquaponics Kit

The growing demand for aquaponics systems has led to an increase in the number of brands available in the market. One can easily get lost in the sheer number of options available. This is further compounded by the numerous manufacturers that purport their systems to be the best. Here are some essential factors to consider before settling on a particular brand if you are in the market for an aquaponics system.

Quality

Numerous factors can determine the overall quality of an aquaponics kit. These factors include the build materials, workmanship, quality of parts, and durability. It is important to purchase a quality unit that will remain functional for a significantly long time. Avoid systems that feel wobbly, cheaply made, or poorly put together. If you want a system that includes heaters, pumps, and purifiers, try to get information regarding their overall functionality, durability, and replacement cycles.

If you intend to buy from a local store, take some time to sample the different aquaponic system options to feel attributes such as sturdiness. If shopping from an online store, you can peruse some reviews to get an idea of what others with the same system think.

Easy to Clean

Aquaponics systems come in two distinct types when it comes to cleaning: closed-loop systems and those that require regular cleaning. The former rarely requires a change of water since they include self-sustaining purification systems. The other systems require users to change the water and clean the system manually. The model you choose will depend on personal preferences and your budget. Closed-loop systems are generally pricier than the others.

Easy to Assemble

Due to the significantly large size of most aquaponics systems, they often come in a disassembled state. This implies that the user has to assemble the unit themselves. Depending on the particular model, this assembly might be a straightforward or overly complicated task. It would be better to purchase a model that is easy to put together since this will save you time and money that you would otherwise have spent paying a professional to do the assembly. An easy-to-assemble unit also makes it easy to carry out routine maintenance and repairs.

Value for Money

We all hope that we don’t regret our purchases regardless of the product we are buying. This concept applies to aquaponics systems. Before buying one, it is important to evaluate your system’s expectations and determine the most you are willing to pay for such a utility. Factors such as size, durability, and overall quality will determine a product’s value for money.

Summary

As more people get interested in aquaponics, the demand for these systems that combine hydroponics and aquaculture will continue to rise. It is important to consider the factors mentioned above before purchasing an aquaponics system for your household, office, or school. Hopefully, the five best brands listed earlier will make the purchase decision easier by reducing the confusion that comes with having too many options.