Has anyone ever tried aquaponics?

[sfinster]

I ordered shrimp (they arrive today) because I think they're cool, and I read the reviews for ecospheres. However, I would love to use the shrimp as a centerpiece at my work's annual meeting later this month. The theme of our annual report is "Balance: an Evolving Process". I read up on aquaponics, but I can't find anything quite like what I want. I would love to put a plant over the top of my bowl (gallon sized globe) with its roots dangling into the water. Shrimp waste makes ammonia, plant eats ammonia, I have the coolest centerpiece at the luncheon. Has anyone ever tried this? Thoughts? Thanks!

[Dch48]

It would have to be a plant that can stand the salinity of the tank and there aren't too many of those readily available. Mangrove would be one.

[sfinster]

I was thinking more of a beach ground cover. Ultimately I think the shrimp will go without a green top.

[sliphorn]

I ordered shrimp (they arrive today) because I think they're cool, and I read the reviews for ecospheres. However, I would love to use the shrimp as a centerpiece at my work's annual meeting later this month. The theme of our annual report is "Balance: an Evolving Process". I read up on aquaponics, but I can't find anything quite like what I want. I would love to put a plant over the top of my bowl (gallon sized globe) with its roots dangling into the water. Shrimp waste makes ammonia, plant eats ammonia, I have the coolest centerpiece at the luncheon. Has anyone ever tried this? Thoughts? Thanks!

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There will not be much balance to a tank as new as yours. Balance in any ecosystem takes time, and requires patience and knowledge on your part. I am not suggesting you do not possess any of these, but a new tank is a new tank. I assume you have a tank that is set up and cycled, and has appropriate substrate, buffer, and salinity.

You said you read reviews on ecospheres. Ecospheres are generally a bad idea for Opae Ula unless they can be easily opened and allow for air exchange, but why bother with them when a bowl like yours is easier and much better for the health of the shrimp. To me, an ecosphere is a death trap for Opae Ula. Your post that states the shrimp will ultimately go without a green top is in my view, correct.

A well cycled and established Opae Ula tank with macroalgae, other algae types growing on the lava rocks, glass, and surface of the substrate is a tank in balance and always evolving. Yup.......an Evolving Process.

Best of luck but I strongly suggest keeping plants out of your bowl except for the macroalgae and mossball that are sold by Mustafa.

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[sfinster]

I opted for an open bowl after researching Ecospheres. Cycled tank includes lava rock, macro algae, 1 snail, and 10 happy shrimp. Salinity 1.010

[sliphorn]

I opted for an open bowl after researching Ecospheres. Cycled tank includes lava rock, macro algae, 1 snail, and 10 happy shrimp. Salinity 1.010

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Perfect!

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[mike.d]

...tank includes lava rock, macro algae, 1 snail, and 10 happy shrimp.

That sounds like a balanced system to me. Isn't that plants and animals in a self-sustaining habitat?

[Dch48]

I opted for an open bowl after researching Ecospheres. Cycled tank includes lava rock, macro algae, 1 snail, and 10 happy shrimp. Salinity 1.010

That's exactly what I have in my one gallon tank.