The biggest advantage to aquaponics is not having to purchase nutrient solution. Typically aquaponic systems are larger scale, but with the right supplies, you can build a simple single plant system to grow herbs. It’s simple to build and easy to maintain. Here’s how to build your own glass jar aquaponics herb garden.
What You Need To Make A Glass Jar Aquaponics Herb  Garden
- 64 oz glass jar with lid ring
- 3-inch net pot
- Grow medium, I will be using hydroton clay pebbles
- Betta fish
- Aquarium water conditioner
- Plant, clone, or starter cube with seed
- Decorative rock (optional)
Steps To Building A Glass Jar Aquaponics System
You first need to what type of herb you will like to grow. I will be using basil that I started from seed in rapid rooter. You can also use a clone or transplant a dirt plant.
Carefully place your decorative rocks in the bottom of your jar and fill it with water. There should be about an inch of air left at the top to allow the roots and the betta to take in oxygen. The plant’s roots should be submerged in the water. Add the recommended amount of aquarium water conditioner for a half-gallon.
After the water is in order, it’s time to add the beta fish. Since your aquaponics system is new it’s best to wait for about a week to let the fish waste start to build up. This is especially true if you’re transplanting a store-bought plant that’s already several weeks old. If starting seed in your system, then it has plenty of time to build up nutrients.
When ready, place your plant in the net pot. Spread the grow medium evenly around the plant roots. Place the net pot into the glass jar and screw the lid ring over the net pot.
set your glass jar aquaponics herb garden in a place where it will get adequate sunlight and watch it grow.
How To Maintain Your Glass Jar Aquaponics Herb Garden
Daily-Maintaining your aquaponics system is as simple as it gets. Feed your betta fish a small amount once morning and again in the evening. Â Top off the water as needed, keeping some of the plant’s roots submerged.
As Needed-Anytime you have nutrient rich water there is going to be some algae growth. If your aquaponic herb garden starts developing algae, it’s time to rinse out the jar with warm water and wipe it out. You can also run water over the plant’s root system to remove algae growth. When finished cleaning, refill the jar with water, add some water conditioner and let set until the water is room temperature before placing the fish back in the jar.
August 11, 2019 at 5:34 pm
Super helpful! I am so excited to try this with some basil and a beta. (I’ve been wanting a beta for awhile, and I think this is the perfect excuse…we are so into gardening, after all.) 🙂 Thanks for not over-complicating it. I hope to have my little system set up before fall.
August 13, 2019 at 7:12 pm
Thanks for the feedback Kristen! You should share a picture of your system on the NoSoilSolutions Facebook page once it’s up and going!