Aquaponics with VERTI-POTS™
See how we combine fish and vertical towers to grow more food in a small space with fewer inputs.
What is aquaponics?
Aquaponics is a growing system that links fish and plants in one closed-loop water cycle, where fish waste becomes fertiliser for the plants and the plants clean and return the water to the fish.
- Fish live in a tank and produce ammonia-rich waste.
- Bacteria convert that waste into nutrients plants can use.
- Water is pumped up to your VERTI-POTS™ towers.
- Plants take up those nutrients as the water trickles through the pots.
- Cleaner water returns to the tank for the fish.
How our aquaponics system works
A 250L fish tank sits at one end of the row and feeds the eight VERTI-POTS™ towers.
A submersible pump in the tank sends water along the pipe above the towers.
Above each tower, a small outlet lets water drop into the top pot.
Water trickles down through the towers, feeding the plants as it goes.
Water drains into a shallow trough that slopes back to the tank, closing the loop.
Why VERTI-POTS™
work so well
VERTI-POTS™ towers are already designed around moving water from the top to the bottom in a simple, controlled way. That makes them a natural fit for aquaponics, where you want fish water to pass through plant roots, deliver nutrients and then head back to the tank cleaner than it started.
- Natural top-down flow – water in at the top, through the roots, out at the base.
- Deep, free-draining pockets – roots get nutrients and air, not soggy soil.
- Big growing area, small footprint – lots of plants for every litre of fish water.
- Easy replanting – no soil, just shake off roots and pop in new seedlings.
- Simple to plumb in – one small outlet above each tower is all you need.
Choosing and caring for fish
Fish are the engine of an aquaponics system – they supply the nutrients that keep your VERTI-POTS™ towers growing. The goal is to pick hardy species, give them a stable home and keep an eye on them like you would any other pets.
For a small VERTI-POTS™ aquaponics system, start with hardy fish that can handle a few ups and downs while you learn. Goldfish are ideal for cool to mild climates and are easy to find. Small tropical fish like guppies also work well; they breed quickly and produce plenty of nutrients for the plants. Once your system is stable and you’re confident managing water quality, you can look at larger “table fish” suited to your climate if you’d like to harvest fish as well as vegetables.
Fish stay healthy when their environment is stable. Give them enough water volume for the number of fish you keep, avoid overcrowding and place the tank where temperatures don’t swing wildly between hot and cold. Keep water moving with the pump so there is plenty of oxygen, and consider adding an air stone in heavily stocked systems. A little shade and some hiding spots also help fish feel secure, which makes the whole system easier to manage.
Day to day, the focus is simple: feed lightly, watch the fish and check the water regularly. Offer small feeds once or twice a day that the fish finish within a few minutes so uneaten food doesn’t foul the tank. Happy fish swim normally and come up eagerly at feeding time; gasping at the surface or hiding constantly can be an early warning sign. Use a basic test kit every week or so to keep an eye on ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH. If something drifts out of range, reduce feeding, top up with fresh water and give the system time to rebalance.
What we're growing in our VERTI-POTS™
See our full gallery to get ideas of what to grow.
Frequently asked questions
What is aquaponics and how does it work with VERTI-POTS™?
Aquaponics is a closed-loop growing system where fish and plants share the same water. Fish live in a tank and produce waste, bacteria convert that waste into nutrients, and water is pumped up to your VERTI-POTS™ towers. The plants take up those nutrients as the water trickles through the pockets, and cleaner water flows back to the tank for the fish.
Can I use my existing VERTI-POTS™ tower in an aquaponics system?
Yes. The physical tower stays exactly the same. Instead of watering with a hose or watering can, you feed fish water into the top pot from a tank and pump. As long as the pots are filled with free-draining media (not soil) and the tower can drain back to the tank, it will work in an aquaponics line.
Do I have to use fish, or can I run hydroponics instead?
You can do either. In aquaponics, nutrients come from fish waste. In hydroponics, the tank holds water and dissolved nutrient mixes instead of fish. The towers, pump and plumbing are essentially identical. We like fish because it is a living, organic system, but the same VERTI-POTS™ setup can be run as hydroponics if you prefer.
What size tank and how many fish should I start with?
Many home systems start with a tank or sturdy tub around 200–300 litres and one VERTI-POTS™ tower. Begin with a modest number of hardy fish, such as goldfish, and let the system settle before adding more. It is better to slightly understock at first and increase fish numbers once you are confident managing water quality.
Is aquaponics harder than using potting mix in VERTI-POTS™?
Aquaponics is a step up. You are looking after fish and water quality as well as plants. You will need to feed the fish, keep the pump running and use a simple test kit now and then. If you are new to growing, it is best to start with VERTI-POTS™ and potting mix, then move into aquaponics once you are comfortable with planting, watering and harvesting in towers.
What can I grow in a VERTI-POTS™ aquaponics system?
Most leafy greens and herbs do very well, including lettuces, Asian greens, basil, parsley and coriander. Tomatoes, beans and other fruiting crops can also thrive once the system is established. As with soil growing, it is smart to start with easier, fast-growing plants and then experiment with heavier feeders like tomatoes, zucchinis or corn.
Do I still need to add fertiliser?
In a well-balanced aquaponics system the fish waste, once processed by bacteria, should supply most of what the plants need. Some growers add small supplements (for example, trace elements) if tests show a specific deficiency, but you are not routinely adding traditional fertilisers. The core idea is that the fish feed the plants and the plants clean the water for the fish.
What happens if the pump stops?
If the pump stops, water is no longer moving from the tank through the towers. In the short term, this is mainly a problem for the fish, because the water is not circulating and oxygen levels can drop. The plants will cope for a while like any other potted plants. It is important to fix pump or power issues quickly, keep a spare pump on hand if you can, and avoid stocking the tank more heavily than your backup plan can support.
