The Fish Bowl Farm is an exhibit tool for introducing to interested persons what aquaponics is: a portable ecosystem that supports fish and plants, while offering new directions for healthy food production. Kids really enjoy it when they see it.
The Fish Bowl Farm is the simplest demonstration of aquaponics, the sustainable growing system that produces fish and vegetables in a symbiotic relationship. In this relationship, fish waste creates nutrients that are used by the plants to grow.
Beneficial microbes convert ammonia from the fish waste into nitrites and nitrates and keep the fish safe. The plants use the nitrates and help filter the water. This miniature ecosystem is one example of the nitrogen cycle taking place in our natural environment.
The Fish Bowl Farm is for education and a temporary exhibit only. It is not a bona fide food production system or permanent fish habitat.
What you will need to build the Fish Bowl Farm:
1. A small fish bowl, plastic or glass, one gallon or more.
2. A small aquarium air pump and air line (from any pet store).
3. A few small freshwater fishes such as goldfish.
4. One piece of floral foam, cut to fit inside the top opening of the bowl. Also cut a hole in the middle of foam to fit a plastic cup. (Floral foam is a green-colored solid foam material that floats. Hobby stores or floral shops have it). Or try white “Styrofoam” but it may later attract some algae.
5. One plastic cup, 3 ounces or less (mini drinking cups). Poke small holes in the bottom of the cup to allow water in, but not soil out.
6. One vegetable seedling, like lettuce sprouted in a peat pellet or in the plastic cup with soil. You will need to sprout a seed 7-10 days earlier.
7. A handful of clean gravel or aquarium stones for bowl floor.
8. Optional fish toys like shipwrecks or shells!
9. Optional timer to control the air pump (a store’s lighting aisle has timers).
10.A sunny location for the bowl so the plant sees some daylight. Avoid extreme heat for the fish. The bubbling air is required for the fish and also helps the plant, the roots of which uptake nutrients created by the fish. An affordable, nondigital timer can manage the pump’s schedule so it is not on for 24 hours a day.
Native Greens grows local artisan produce and offers affordable, portable growing systems for interested gardeners. Native Greens flagship location is in the Denver area mountains in Kittredge, Colorado. It was established in 2009 by Bert and Margo Waisanen. Bert@NativeGreens.com, 303-406-1236. More background on on the Native Greens web site.
Hydroponics Dictionary
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I encourage people to do this, but please give the fish some space to live. An empty marmalade-glass surely isn’t enough.
Ragnar,
Thanks and I agree with you. The instructions include disclaimers that the gallon-plus exhibit is for education and temporary display, not a permanent home for fish. Thanks again.