The plant hydroponic is a simple tub with pea gravel or grow rock used for media. The plants used in this experiment should be herbs, such as sweet basil, that can stand a lot of ammonia. A submersible pump is placed in the bottom of the fish tank, and plastic tubing is set up from the pump to the top of the hydroponic. If the hose kinks then elbows and connectors can be used on corners. The pump is turned on, and water from the bottom of the fish tank is pumped to the top of the hydroponic.
Water returns to the fish tank through the nylon fitting in the bottom of the hydroponic.
Fish are added to the fish tank. There must be a balance between the number and size of the fish and the number and size of plants. This balance is determined by the experiment. Some plants may be removed if the plants are not getting enough food, and some fish may be removed if all fish wastes are not being used by the plants. There must also be enough light for plants to carry on photosynthesis.