How To Make An Aquaponics Betta Fish Tank? [DIY+Pictures]

Aquaponic betta tanks look cool, but most of the ready-made ones are a joke. They’re overpriced, way too small, and honestly not great for the fish.

The good news? You can build a proper setup yourself that actually works for both the betta and the plants.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to DIY an aquaponic betta tank step by step.

I’ll also cover which plants are safe, what equipment you’ll really need, and some design ideas that aren’t going to kill your fish.

What Is An Aquaponic Betta Tank?

Think about how a pond works. Fish live in it, plants grow in it, and nobody has to clean it with buckets and chemicals. The fish waste feeds the plants, and the plants help keep the water cleaner for the fish.

An aquaponic betta tank is just a mini version of that. You’ve got your betta fish on one side, and plants growing without soil on the other.

The fish waste breaks down into nutrients, the plants soak it up, and the water going back to the betta is cleaner. It’s a natural loop where both sides help each other out.

The only thing you add is betta food. Your fish eats, the waste turns into plant food, and the plants keep the water safer for the betta. Done right, it feels like a little ecosystem running on its own.

3 Types Of Aquaponic Betta Tank

There are a few different ways to set up an aquaponic betta tank. The idea is the same—fish waste becomes plant food—but the method changes depending on space and budget.

1. Media-Based Aquaponic Betta Tank

This is the most common type. You use a grow bed filled with gravel or clay pebbles. The water from the betta tank flows through it, bacteria break down the fish waste, and the plants eat it up.

It works like a natural filter. The only downside? The media can clog up, so you’ll need to rinse it now and then.

If Betta piqued your interest, this article will take you even further. The Complete Betta Tank Cycling Guide for Beginners

2. Raft System Aquaponic Betta Tank

Here, the plants float on a raft above the water with their roots hanging down. The water is full of nutrients, so the plants grow fast.

You’ll need a filter to handle the solid waste, but once it’s running, the system is pretty stable. Works best in warmer rooms.

3. Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) System

This one saves space. Water from the tank flows in a thin film through pipes or trays where plants grow. It’s great for small leafy greens but not for bigger or flowering plants.

It’s popular with people living in apartments since it doesn’t take much room.

Are Betta Fish Good For Aquaponics?

Yes, bettas can live in an aquaponic setup, but only if the tank is big enough and heated properly. Most of the “cute desktop aquaponic kits” you see online are way too small and end up stressing the fish.

A real aquaponic system for a betta should start at 5 gallons minimum, with a filter and a heater.

Bettas are actually a good match for aquaponics because they’re hardy and produce enough waste to feed plants. They can also handle small changes in water conditions better than many other fish.

Just don’t make the mistake of cramming them into a jar or tiny cube tank with a plant on top—that’s not aquaponics, that’s fish cruelty.

What Items Do You Need To Make An Aquaponic Betta Fish Tank?

Here’s the gear that actually matters if you want to set up a safe aquaponic betta tank:

• Tank (5+ gallons) – Glass or acrylic is fine, just don’t go smaller than 5 gallons. Bigger is always better.
• Grow bed or container – Sits above the fish tank and holds the plants. Fill it with clay pebbles or gravel.
• Water pump – Moves water from the fish tank up to the grow bed. Go for a pump that can cycle all the water at least once per hour.
• Air pump + air stone – Adds oxygen for both fish and plants, and keeps bacteria healthy.
• Heater + thermometer – Bettas need stable water between 76–82°F. Don’t skip this if you live anywhere with cool nights.
• Lighting – Natural sunlight works if your setup is near a window. Otherwise, get a simple LED grow light.
• pH test kit – Keeps you in check. Bettas and most plants do best around 6.8–7.2.
• Substrate for grow bed – Clay pebbles are easiest. Gravel works too but can be heavier to clean.
• Live plants – Pick plants that grow well in aquaponics and match your tank size. (I’ll cover the best options in the plant section.)
• Beneficial bacteria – You can kick-start the cycle with bottled bacteria or let the tank cycle naturally.
• Betta fish + betta food – The star of the system. Make sure you’re starting with a healthy fish.

Optional extras like decorative stones, moss balls, or seed trays are fine, but they aren’t essential. Focus on the basics first.

Want to dive deeper into Betta? This article has all the answers! Betta Fish Lighting Guide for Bright Colors and Happy Fish

How To Make An Aquaponic Betta Fish Tank?

Step 1: Clean Everything

Rinse the tank, grow bed, gravel, and any décor with plain water. No soap. If it’s an old tank, scrape off algae and sterilize it with hot water.

Step 2: Set Up the Grow Bed

Drill drainage holes in the bottom of the grow bed (small ones, a couple of inches apart). Fill it with your chosen media like clay pebbles or gravel. Leave the top inch empty so it doesn’t stay soggy.

Step 3: Hook Up the Pump and Air System

Place your water pump in the fish tank and run the tubing up to the grow bed. Add an air stone in the tank and connect it to the air pump. Plug everything in to make sure water cycles up and drains back down.

Step 4: Add Décor for the Betta

Bettas need places to rest and hide. Add driftwood, caves, or safe artificial hides. Keep it simple but give the fish cover.

Step 5: Fill With Water

Use treated tap water or filtered water. Bettas can’t handle chlorine, so make sure the water is safe.

Step 6: Test the Water

Before adding fish, check pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Aim for pH around 6.8–7.2. Make sure ammonia and nitrite are near zero.

Step 7: Add Plants

Choose plants that match your aquaponic setup (media, raft, or NFT). Place them in the grow bed so roots reach the moist layer.

Step 8: Start the Cycle

Drop in a little fish food or use bottled ammonia. This kickstarts the nitrogen cycle. Beneficial bacteria will turn waste into nitrates for plants. Cycling takes patience—expect 2–4 weeks.

Step 9: Add the Betta (Slowly)

Float the bag with the betta in the tank for about 30 minutes so it adjusts to the temperature. Then gently release it into the tank.

Step 10: Keep an Eye on It

Check water quality often in the first weeks. Watch your betta’s behavior and plant growth. If something looks off, fix it early.

Best Plants for an Aquaponic Betta Tank

Not every plant will work in a small aquaponic setup with a betta. You need plants that grow well in water, don’t demand crazy nutrients, and can handle the same water conditions as your fish.

Here are some of the best options:

Hungry for knowledge about Betta? We’ve got you covered in this article. The No-Stress Betta Tank Setup Guide (Even Beginners Can Nail It)

Great for Small Aquaponic Systems

• Basil – Grows fast and thrives in nutrient-rich water.
• Mint – Hardy and forgiving if conditions shift a little.
• Lettuce & Spinach – Quick growers that do well in raft or NFT setups.
• Wheatgrass – Easy to sprout and harvest, works even in small grow beds.
• Peace Lily (with roots in water, leaves above) – Popular choice for aquaponic betta tanks.
• Pothos – Great natural filter, strong roots soak up nutrients fast.

For Larger Aquaponic Systems (with space)

• Tomatoes – Heavy feeders, better if your setup is 20+ gallons.
• Cucumbers – Same as tomatoes, they need room and support.
• Beans & Peas – Can do well in media-based systems with deeper beds.

Stick with leafy greens, herbs, and low-maintenance plants if you’re just starting. Bigger crops like tomatoes or cucumbers need more fish waste and space than a single betta can provide.

Care Tips for an Aquaponic Betta Tank

Even though aquaponics helps balance things out, you still need to keep an eye on a few basics:

• Temperature – Bettas thrive at 76–82°F. Use a heater and thermometer to keep the water steady. Don’t let it dip too low at night.
• Lighting – Plants need light for 8–12 hours a day. Natural sunlight works, but an LED grow light is better indoors.
• Water Quality – Aquaponics reduces how often you clean, but it’s not “set and forget.” Do partial water changes when needed and test water regularly.
• Spills and Leaks – Put your setup somewhere safe. Pumps, pipes, or grow beds can sometimes leak, so don’t place it on furniture you care about.

Stick to these basics and the system will run smoothly for both your betta and your plants.

8 Aquaponic Betta Tank Design Ideas

Natural Jungle Aquaponic Tank

This setup looks like a mini rainforest. The tank has driftwood, live aquatic plants, and leaf litter for a natural bottom.

On top, larger houseplants like pothos and colorful foliage soak up the fish waste, lit by LED grow lights.

It’s unique because it blends aquascaping with aquaponics—basically an aquarium and indoor garden in one.

This was likely made by setting up a standard planted tank, then placing a grow tray or directly rooting houseplants above the water line under strong lights.

If Betta piqued your interest, this article will take you even further. These 12 Fish Can Actually Live with Bettas Without the Drama

Microgreen Betta Aquaponic Tank

This one focuses on growing edible greens. A grow tray sits above the betta tank, packed with sprouting microgreens. The betta’s waste turns into nutrients, and the greens grow fast in the shallow grow bed.

It’s simple but effective. This was probably made using a small pump cycling water up into the tray, with the roots dangling down. The betta tank below is lightly planted with gravel and decor for the fish.

Peace Lily Root Tank

This design uses a peace lily rooted directly into the tank, with its roots hanging down into the water. The betta swims below while the plant filters the water naturally.

It’s unique because it doesn’t use a grow bed or fancy system—just a hardy houseplant doing all the work. Setup is as simple as placing the plant so only its roots are submerged while the leaves stay above water.

Wheatgrass Grow Tank

Here, wheatgrass is the main plant crop, growing thick on top of the small betta tank. The fish’s waste feeds the grass, while the roots act as a living filter for the water.

It stands out because it creates a natural “green roof” over the tank. Making it is straightforward: a small grow tray filled with clay pebbles or sponge media sits above the betta, and a pump cycles water up into it.

The wheatgrass seeds are then sprouted and grown in the moist bed.

Wooden Box Grow Bed Tank

This setup uses a wooden planter box as the grow bed, sitting neatly above a glass betta tank. The fish waste water is pumped up into the box, where plants grow in media like gravel or clay balls.

What makes it unique is the rustic wooden design—it looks like furniture, not just a fish tank. It was made by attaching a simple pump to lift water up and letting gravity drain it back into the aquarium.

Get the full scoop on Betta—check out this must-read article! Can You Keep Betta in A 3-Gallon Tank? [And is It a Good Idea?]

Houseplant Jungle Aquaponic Tank

Here, the tank is topped with multiple houseplants in pots—pothos, snake plants, and others—all feeding on the aquarium water.

The fish tank itself is aquascaped with driftwood, live plants, and even a skull decoration for character.

It’s unique because it uses potted plants directly on the tank rim, rather than a formal grow bed. The water is wicked up through the pots or drained with tubing into the soil.

Monstera Root Aquaponic Tank

This design keeps it simple: a single large monstera plant rooted in water above the betta tank. Its roots trail down and absorb waste, while the leaves grow tall outside the tank.

What makes it unique is the bold visual impact—the huge leaves create a statement piece in the room. Setup is easy: the plant is placed in a container or tube above the tank so roots stay in water while the leaves stay dry.

Full Aquascape + Plant Topper Tank

This is a high-effort aquaponic system where the aquarium itself is a lush aquascape with carpeting plants, moss, and colorful stems, while larger houseplants grow in pots above.

It’s unique because it looks like two gardens in one—an underwater jungle and a leafy canopy on top. It was built by combining a planted tank with nutrient uptake from external plants, all sharing the same water cycle.