Back to the Roots Hydroponic Grow Kit

I love this product. Love it.Since pets can be too much responsibility for a New Yorker, I decided to try a single fish as an adult. I was a kid when I used to have fish and times were simpler then, but now there's so many accessories and things to worry about. I wanted a simple eco-friendly solution, with a nice presentation, that gave me food to eat, and something pretty to look at. This water garden checked all the marks.— SET UP —Setting this up was incredibly easy. There is an included brochure that walks you step-by-step throughout the process with illustrations and easy to understand instructions: wash all the pieces, pour in tap water in tank, add dechlorinator, attach pump, add top white piece, add sponge, add grow rocks, add beneficial bacteria, add seeds, add gravel, add fish, and add additional decorations (purchased separately). Pretty easy.— GROWING —This comes with three growing trays, and you are provided with two different types of seeds: wheat grass, and radish micro-greens. They take anywhere from 7-10 days to be ready to eat, with the wheatgrass good for one extra regrowth. I was hesitant about throwing seeds on wet rocks and expecting something to happen, but three days in and they are all sprouting! (The radish are the faster, more obvious grower). I make shots with the wheatgrass, and use the radish on pizza. I also grow scallions (green onions) in here—which is easier to clean because the roots don't get tangled.— CHOOSING A BETTA —You are provided a $3 coupon at Petco for a Male Veiltail Betta. This is enough to make it free. I would suggest seeing how well you can take care of your first Betta and if you are successful, maybe consider a prettier but more expensive Betta (but don't put them together, of course). I didn't use the coupon and got a Double Veiltail for about 2.5x that price.— ADDITIONAL DECOR —I spoiled my Betta and got him live plants (to rest on), extra gravel, and two snails to clean any possible algae, along with food options. You are free to decorate how you wish. I do have to note that the gravel provided is minimal so you may want to get more.— THE ECOSYSTEM —If everything is done correctly, this system should basically be the circle of life in a 3-gallon tank: you feed your fish, the fish poops, the poops turn into food for the plants, the plant's roots clean the water, which your fish will enjoy living in to continue eating. I threw in live plants and snails, so we'll see if that helps to maintain overall cleanliness and liveliness.Also, this may not be obvious, but you *need* to be growing something on top. If you have dead/dying plants on top, it will throw things off and the water will turn gross. Try to have at least one or two trays growing something.— MAINTENANCE —As with any aquarium, you will have to take clean this at least once a month minimum. For me, I usually do a 25-35% water change every week. I take out water and pour distilled water back in. The rocks on top might grow fuzzy mold if you don't have good airflow in your home, so that will require taking the containers out to clean, along with the rocks. The tube will also have to be cleaned out regularly so that water can flow up. This is all part of the package of owning an aquarium. It will require upkeep.— THINGS TO NOTE —Don't put this in direct sunlight because your fish will hate you, and algae will grow faster. Also, the pump can be noisy; adjust the cord so it isn't vibrating too loudly. There should only be the sounds of humming and drops of water from the tray, which creates a soft white noise in whatever room you put this in.— SUMMARY —I happened to get this during a sale, which made it worth it to me. This is a wonderful idea well-executed (this is version 2.0 of the product, btw). You get to take care of a low-maintenance fish, grow food you can eat on a weekly basis, and beautify your home. Recommended.