AquaSprouts Garden

Description

The AquaSprouts Garden lets you stylishly combine your garden and aquarium into a self-sustaining ecosystem that fits on your desk. A beautiful introduction to aquaponics: you feed the fish, the fish provide nutrients for the plants, and the plants clean the water. The custom-molded garden bed fits any standard 10-gallon aquarium (not included). Kit also includes a light bar, a submersible 160-gallon-per-hour air pump, a timer and a special clay growing medium that keeps your garden healthy. There's never been a better way to bring new life to your aquarium - or your classroom!

Removable lighting mount allows you to hang a grow light of your choice above the Garden, and can even be further extended to accommodate taller plants. The light bar allows you to use your Garden anywhere, even when there may not be sufficient natural light.

How it Works Aquaponics involves breaking down toxic ammonia and turning it into nutritious plant food called nitrates using two types of nitrifying bacteria - nitrosomas and nitrospiras. When fish produce ammonia it attracts a type of bacteria called nitrosomas. These guys and gals convert the ammonia into nitrites - a compound even more toxic than ammonia. Thankfully, however, nitrites attract another type of bacteria called nitrospiras who then convert the nitrites into nitrates - excellent food for plants, and mostly harmless to fish. Once this has happened the aquaponic cycle is complete and, once stabilized, will ensure ammonia levels are kept at a minimum while providing maximum nutrition for the plants.

What Makes AquaSprouts Unique?
The AquaSprouts Garden is designed to fit any standard 10-gallon aquarium - one of the most common and widely available aquariums - and provides a platform to grow a wide variety of plants. Its sleek, modern design also makes it a great conversation piece for any home's décor.

Is the Garden Difficult to Maintain?
We created the Garden specifically for beginners and those who are looking for an easy-to-use aquaponic system. The Garden doesn't require any tools nor do you need any previous aquaponics experience. In addition, we provide a written step-by-step guide to help you set up and maintain your Garden. Our team is also dedicated to providing the best customer service possible to assist anyone who may have questions or need help.

What Can I Grow in my Garden?
The Garden's unique design makes it possible to grow a variety of leafy greens, herbs, flowers and more. With the right care a wide variety of plants can thrive in the Garden; you can grow from seeds, transplant starter seedlings and more.

What Kinds of Fish Can I Raise?
Our aquarium works best with common pet fish: tetras, guppies, minnows, mollies, and most small freshwater fish. On the back, there is a 2 inch gap between the grow bed and aquarium, which leaves room for a heater, automatic fish feeder, aerator and or other aquarium accessories.

What Can Students Learn from This Garden?
The Garden is ideal not only for growing fresh herbs and plants, but also for teaching. Our Garden is ideal for demonstrating a variety of concepts in chemistry, biology, and ecology. It's an especially great tool for keeping kids engaged, a living model ecosystem that they can interact with as they watch the transformation of the energy in fish food into waste, plants, and ultimately herbs, greens, and even fruits for them to enjoy. Be sure to check out our blog for more articles on understanding the principles behind aquaponics and using your Garden to teach a variety of subjects!

How Do I Get Access to the Aquarium?
The Garden has a 2" gap between the aquarium and grow-bed on the back to feed your fish and accommodate accessories. You can easily move the Garden to gain full access to the aquarium.

Dimensions: 35" tall with light bar, 17" tall without light bar, 28" wide, 8" side width. Fits on 20" x 12" x 8" aquarium.

Read more on our Blog - The Magic of Seeds, Spring and Science!