Veggies for emergent growth?

[WhistlingBadger]

Thinking about converting the 29g into an Inle biotopish setup with a bunch of veggies growing on a floating island. Leaning toward dwarf tomatoes and peppers, and I've heard sweet potatoes work well, and spinach will grow pretty much anywhere in my experience, but I'm curious about what veggies people have had good luck with, growing them out the top of your tanks.

 

[GaryE]

No veggies here, just Basil. I got very good production for my minimal needs.

As mentioned in another thread, I'm thinking of feeding water change water to a line of container grown tomatoes, with the plants outdoors to get sunlight. But those plants, with a few others, would be in earth.

Watercress is supposed to be easy, but I have never really eaten it to care. In terms of fishtank growing, most of what I have read, seen or heard of has involved herbs - low growing for centre of gravity problems, quick growing and lightweight as plants go.

 

[Magnum Man]

I had really good luck with tomatoes and cucumbers out of my Tilapia tanks outdoors

 

[CassCats]

I am considering strawberries and lettuce for indoor growth, whether I use them directly in a tank or just use the dirty tank water to water them, I'm not 100% sure yet. Brain storming ideas.

 

[MattW]

I just think of Foo the Flowerhorn when growing veggies using an aquarium

 

[fishorama]

My friend is trying green onions

 

[WhistlingBadger]

I'm thinking about three small, floating islands with half inch holes cut in it for roots to go down. Anchored in place with bamboo canes, for an authentic look. A couple of micro tomatoes (or normal-sized, indeterminate/vining tomatoes, kept trimmed so the island doesn't get top heavy); a small-fruited cucumber, again kept small; a Thai pepper; a few clumps of green onions. Maybe a green bean plant.

No aquatic plants; just the structure provided by the bamboo and veggie roots. Pretty heavy stocking to provide plenty of nutrients for the plants: Big schools of Sawba resplendens, emerald dwarf danios, and some kind of small loach. Maybe a few Parambassis lala just for something different.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

I am considering strawberries and lettuce for indoor growth, whether I use them directly in a tank or just use the dirty tank water to water them, I'm not 100% sure yet. Brain storming ideas.

I water my norfolk pine with dirty tank water, and it seems to appreciate it.

 

[CassCats]

I water my norfolk pine with dirty tank water, and it seems to appreciate it.

I water most of my houseplants with it, but haven't done produce indoors much. Have tried lettuce in a tank before and snails ate it from the bottom and destroyed it haha.

 

[fishorama]

When I set up my tanks here, I tried hard not to have much if any sunlight hit them. But I've also rooted basil & green onions just on my kitchen counter. Not a heck of a lot of light but enough I guess, I have a few high windows. I "should" have potted them & put them outdoors but (oops) didn't. During early covid we rooted romaine & celery but then it got too hot for them. It was fun for a while...

 

[OldFishKeeper]

When I set up my tanks here, I tried hard not to have much if any sunlight hit them. But I've also rooted basil & green onions just on my kitchen counter. Not a heck of a lot of light but enough I guess, I have a few high windows. I "should" have potted them & put them outdoors but (oops) didn't. During early covid we rooted romaine & celery but then it got too hot for them. It was fun for a while...

Why not grow something of value?

 

[fishorama]

You don't think romaine or basil have value? What are you suggesting I try to grow?

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Why not grow something of value?

Those "special herbs" aren't legal in Wyoming, at least not yet, and that isn't really my thing anyway.

 

[Magnum Man]

makes me wonder if the fish start eating the roots, if they would get the munchies, and kill off your herbs???

 

[WhistlingBadger]

...then they'll start talking like the turtle from "Finding Nemo." Duuuuuuuuuude...