Review on 🐟 Back to the Roots Water Garden: Self-Cleaning Fish Tank & Food-Growing Aquaponic Ecosystem (3 Gallons) - Perfect Gardening Gift & Fun Family Project! by Marcela Taylor

I love this product. Love it. Since pets can be too much of a responsibility for a New Yorker, I decided to try a fish as an adult. I was a kid when I had fish and times were simpler back then but now there are so many accessories and things to take care of. I wanted a simple, eco-friendly solution with a beautiful presentation that would give me food and something nice to look at. This water garden has been checked for all labels. — SETUP — It was incredibly easy to set up. The kit includes a booklet that takes you through the process step by step with illustrations and easy to follow instructions: wash all parts, fill tank with tap water, add dechlorinator, connect pump, add Top White, add sponge, add Grow Rocks, add beneficial bacteria, add seeds, add gravel, add fish, and add extra decorations (sold separately). Quite easy. - TO GROW. Three planting trays are included in the package and you will receive two different types of seeds: wheat germ and radish microgreens. They take 7-10 days to cook and wheatgrass is good for extra regrowth. I hesitated to drop the seeds on the wet rocks expecting something to happen, but after three days they all germinated! (Radishes grow faster and more clearly). I make wheatgrass shots and use radishes on pizza. I also grow scallions (green onions) here, which are easier to peel because the roots don't get tangled. - BETTA'S CHOICE - Receive a $3 coupon toward the purchase of a Male Betta Veitail from Petco. This is enough to make it free. I would suggest seeing how well you can take care of your first Betta and if you can, maybe consider a prettier but more expensive Betta (but don't add them up of course). I didn't redeem the coupon and got a Double Veiltail for about 2.5 times the price. - ADDITIONAL DECOR - I messed up my Betta and gave her live plants (for resting), extra gravel and two snails to eliminate any possible algae. along with dining options. You are free to decorate as you wish. I should note that the amount of gravel is minimal, so you may want to get more. ECOSYSTEM - When done right, this system should be the cycle of life in a 3 gallon aquarium: you feed your fish, fish poop , excrement turns into food for plants, plant roots purify the water your fish enjoy life in to continue feeding. I've added live plants and snails so we'll see if that helps maintain the overall cleanliness and vibrancy. It might not be obvious either, but you *have* to grow something on top of it. If you have dead/dying plants at the top they will drop things and the water will get dirty. Try to have at least one seed tray or two MAINTENANCE As with any aquarium, you will need to clean it out at least once a month. As for me, I usually do 25-35% water changes every week. I remove the water and fill it up with distilled water. If you don't have good air circulation in your home, the bricks on top can get fuzzy mold. So, in order to clean the containers along with the stones, you need to take them outside. The hose must also be cleaned regularly so that the water can flow upwards. All of this is part of the aquarium ownership package. This requires maintenance. - WHAT YOU NEED - Don't expose it to direct sunlight because your fish will hate you and the algae will grow faster. Also, the pump can be noisy; Adjust the cable so that it does not vibrate too loudly. There should only be buzzing noises and water dripping from the tray making a faint white noise in whatever room you place it. — SUMMARY — I accidentally got this during a sale so it was worth it. This is a great idea well executed (btw this is product version 2.0). You have to take care of low-maintenance fish, grow food that can be eaten weekly and decorate your home. highlighted.