Growing a tree in an aquarium

[bettaMagenta]

Someone shared a website a while back, and I came across this tank that really caught my eye...

It's the River Bank, Big Walnut Creek, Ohio – BAP. They've got a guide on creating the perfect biotope aquarium, covering water parameters, fish, and plants.

I found the link to their contest, and if you scroll down, you can see the categories, entries, and scores. Clicking on each entry shows the tank, several pictures, and details.

I've been in and out of aquariums for around 20 years, just as a hobbyist. I've always had house plants growing out of my tanks, even 20 years ago when it wasn't common. Recently, I started growing seveflake common philodendrons and a few Monsteras in a couple of my tanks, and I really like it. The tank I mentioned earlier made me think about trying a small tree. I'm sure a willow would work fine, but since I'm growing veggies hydroponically in my Tilapia tanks as part of the filter, I've been thinking about edibles. I watched a video of someone growing strawberries in their betta tank, which got me wondering about growing a bay laurel tree or even a couple of smaller potted olive trees.

My idea isn't to put a big tree trunk in the tank but to start with smaller, house plant-sized potted trees. Although, if I end up doing a 120-gallon tank for discus fish, a couple of dwarf banana trees would be cool, along with some other jungle plants.

Does anyone here have larger houseplants or even a tree in their tank? What about edibles?

[bettaMagenta]

I've always been about that natural vibe around my tanks, never really into the over-the-top garden look, just want everything to blend in and look as natural as possible. I mean, if I could have snacks growing in there, that'd be a whole different story though.

[bettaMagenta]

I think my previous response was meant for a different post that seems to be gone now...

[infold]

Someone shared a website a while back, and I came across this tank that really caught my eye...

It's the River Bank, Big Walnut Creek, Ohio – BAP. They've got a guide on creating the perfect biotope aquarium, covering water parameters, fish, and plants.

I found the link to their contest, and if you scroll down, you can see the categories, entries, and scores. Clicking on each entry shows the tank, several pictures, and details.

I've been in and out of aquariums for around 20 years, just as a hobbyist. I've always had house plants growing out of my tanks, even 20 years ago when it wasn't common. Recently, I started growing seveflake common philodendrons and a few Monsteras in a couple of my tanks, and I really like it. The tank I mentioned earlier made me think about trying a small tree. I'm sure a willow would work fine, but since I'm growing veggies hydroponically in my Tilapia tanks as part of the filter, I've been thinking about edibles. I watched a video of someone growing strawberries in their betta tank, which got me wondering about growing a bay laurel tree or even a couple of smaller potted olive trees.

My idea isn't to put a big tree trunk in the tank but to start with smaller, house plant-sized potted trees. Although, if I end up doing a 120-gallon tank for discus fish, a couple of dwarf banana trees would be cool, along with some other jungle plants.

Does anyone here have larger houseplants or even a tree in their tank? What about edibles?

I had a post, then I didn't, because I figured it came across as a bit too cheeky. Honestly, some of the things people want to try out border on the absurd, but hey, to each their own, right? Everyone's got their own tastes and if you've got the time to spare, go for it. Me, I've got enough on my plate just keeping my simple aquarium running smoothly. Now, that'd be something - a six-foot tank with a remote-controlled sub, underwater camera, and a universal translator so I could boss the fish around and, you know, keep them in line. Kind of like a Jacques Cousteau meets Dr. Moreau vibe.

[Lexat]

You're looking to cultivate your own leaf litter, eh. Growing a tree in the tank, that's quite the undertaking. I suppose the old fish keeper's mind never stops spinning new ideas, does it.

[Clack]

That tank picture is really something, I'd love to see how your project turns out. I'm not exactly known for my green thumb, but I'm managing to keep some basic aquarium plants alive, so I can only imagine how cool it'd be to have something like a tree in your tank.

[BadgersSong]

I've got a few tea plants in my paludarium, they're hanging in there but I'm not expecting them to last forever. I'll probably swap them out for some Anubias coffeefolia down the line.

I'm actually a big fan of experimenting with plants like this. I think the main concern with growing a real tree in the tank is that the roots will quickly outgrow the space and potentially cause some serious damage to the aquarium glass. One way to achieve the look of an emergent tree without the risks is to use dead wood as the structure, drill out a planter, and have leaves growing out of the trunk. That way, you get the aesthetic of a tree without the potential catastrophe.

[infold]

@BadgersSong, "certain old grouches"? No offense taken, I hope. I'm all for new, interesting stuff - just not in my own setup. I'll gladly visit yours, admire your handiwork, and polish off your snacks, but for me, simple is best.

[Emeraldsea]

I've always been drawn to biotope tanks, there's something about them that just feels right... I think the one from the link you shared is really inspiring, love the way it's set up... for me, it's all about creating a natural environment, and biotopes just seem to do that better than scaped tanks...

[willie32]

Initially, I thought the tree in that tank was created using driftwood with some kind of terrestrial plant growing around it, but it's actually an old chopped-down tree that's started new growth. I came across someone who grew pine tree saplings in a tank recently, but it was a very shallow setup and they knew it wouldn't last long. The challenge is figuring out how to accommodate the large roots of plants that are typically kept indoors. I think mangrove trees could be a good choice, but I don't know much about their care requirements.

I like the idea of creating a structure from root wood and then growing terrestrial plants in the emerged section. A Monsterra Deliciosa would be perfect as a natural epiphyte and would benefit from having its roots in water. I also saw someone growing strawberry plants in an aquarium, and it actually produced fruit.