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Aquaponics Ratio Calculator

Calculate fish to plant ratios

Grow Bed Size

100 gal

Max Fish

33

Plants

26

Grow Bed Size

100

gal

Grow Bed Area

13.4

sq ft

Max Fish

33

(50 lbs)

Daily Feed

340g

Plant Capacity

26

leafy green plants (lettuce, herbs, etc.)

Fruiting plants require 2-4x more space per plant.

System Ratio: Fish Tank vs Grow Bed

Fish Tank100 gal
Grow Bed Volume100 gal
Max Fish33
Plant Capacity26

What You'll Need

CHRYZTAL Stainless Steel Garden Hand Tool Set 4pc

CHRYZTAL Stainless Steel Garden Hand Tool Set 4pc

$20-$304.5
View on Amazon
KINGLAKE Plastic Plant Labels T-Type 100pcs

KINGLAKE Plastic Plant Labels T-Type 100pcs

$6-$104.5
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Best Choice Cedar Raised Garden Bed 4x2ft

Best Choice Cedar Raised Garden Bed 4x2ft

$40-$554.5
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Espoma Organic Raised Bed Mix 1.5 Cu Ft

Espoma Organic Raised Bed Mix 1.5 Cu Ft

$15-$204.5
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2-in-1 Garden Kneeler and Seat Foldable 400lb

2-in-1 Garden Kneeler and Seat Foldable 400lb

$42-$484.8
View on Amazon
CHRYZTAL Stainless Steel Garden Hand Tool Set 4pc

CHRYZTAL Stainless Steel Garden Hand Tool Set 4pc

$20-$304.5
View on Amazon
KINGLAKE Plastic Plant Labels T-Type 100pcs

KINGLAKE Plastic Plant Labels T-Type 100pcs

$6-$104.5
View on Amazon
Best Choice Cedar Raised Garden Bed 4x2ft

Best Choice Cedar Raised Garden Bed 4x2ft

$40-$554.5
View on Amazon
Espoma Organic Raised Bed Mix 1.5 Cu Ft

Espoma Organic Raised Bed Mix 1.5 Cu Ft

$15-$204.5
View on Amazon
2-in-1 Garden Kneeler and Seat Foldable 400lb

2-in-1 Garden Kneeler and Seat Foldable 400lb

$42-$484.8
View on Amazon

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Example Calculations

1100-Gallon Media Bed with Tilapia

Inputs

Fish Tank Size100 gallons
System TypeMedia Bed (1:1)
Fish TypeTilapia

Result

Grow Bed Volume100 gal
Grow Bed Area13.4 sq ft
Max Fish33 fish (50.0 lbs)
Daily Feed340 g
Plant Capacity26 plants

Grow bed = 100 x 1.0 = 100 gal (13.4 sq ft). Max fish = 100 x 0.5 = 50.0 lbs, or 33 tilapia at 1.5 lbs each. Feed = 50 x 0.015 x 453.592 = 340 g/day. Plants = floor(13.4 x 2) = 26.

2200-Gallon DWC with Goldfish

Inputs

Fish Tank Size200 gallons
System TypeDWC (1:1.5)
Fish TypeGoldfish

Result

Grow Bed Volume300 gal
Grow Bed Area40.1 sq ft
Max Fish500 fish (50.0 lbs)
Daily Feed340 g
Plant Capacity80 plants

Grow bed = 200 x 1.5 = 300 gal (40.1 sq ft). Max fish = 200 x 0.25 = 50.0 lbs, or 500 goldfish at 0.1 lbs each. Feed = 50 x 0.015 x 453.592 = 340 g/day. Plants = floor(40.1 x 2) = 80.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

What is the ideal fish to plant ratio?

For media bed systems, use a 1:1 ratio of fish tank volume to grow bed volume. NFT systems can use 1:0.5, while deep water culture (DWC) systems often use 1:1.5 or higher.

  • Media bed (1:1): 100-gallon tank pairs with 100 gallons of grow bed filled with expanded clay or gravel
  • NFT (1:0.5): 100-gallon tank feeds 50 gallons of narrow channel troughs for leafy greens
  • DWC (1:1.5): 100-gallon tank supports 150 gallons of floating raft beds for maximum plant density
  • Start with a 1:1 ratio and adjust up to 1:2 as your biofilter matures over 8–12 weeks
System TypeRatio (Tank:Bed)Best ForDifficulty
Media Bed1:1Beginners, mixed cropsEasy
NFT1:0.5Leafy greens, herbsMedium
DWC1:1.5Lettuce, commercial scaleAdvanced
Q

How many fish can I have in my aquaponics system?

A common rule is 1 pound of fish per 5-10 gallons of fish tank. Tilapia can be stocked at 1 lb per 2-3 gallons with good filtration. Start conservative and increase slowly.

  • Tilapia: 0.5 lbs per gallon (most tolerant of high density), harvest at 1–1.5 lbs in 6–9 months
  • Catfish: 0.33 lbs per gallon, reach 1–2 lbs in 12–18 months
  • Trout: 0.33 lbs per gallon, require water below 65°F and dissolved oxygen above 7 ppm
  • Goldfish/koi: 0.25 lbs per gallon, ideal for ornamental systems with no harvest intent
  • Monitor ammonia weekly; levels above 1 ppm signal overstocking or immature biofilter
Q

How much should I feed my aquaponics fish?

Feed 1-2% of total fish body weight per day. For example, 20 lbs of fish needs 0.2-0.4 lbs (90-180 grams) of feed daily. Split into 2-3 feedings.

  • Use the 5-minute rule: remove any uneaten feed after 5 minutes to prevent ammonia spikes
  • A 100-gallon tilapia system (50 lbs fish) uses about 340g of feed daily at 1.5% body weight
  • Feed protein content matters: 32–36% protein pellets for tilapia, 40–45% for trout
  • Plants can process roughly 60–100g of feed per square meter of grow bed per day
Q

How many plants can my aquaponics system support?

Approximately 2 leafy green plants per square foot of grow bed. Fruiting plants like tomatoes need more space - about 2-4 square feet per plant.

  • Lettuce and herbs: 2 plants per sq ft, harvest every 30–45 days
  • Tomatoes and peppers: 4 sq ft per plant, need 500+ grams daily feed input to fruit well
  • Strawberries: 1 plant per sq ft in media beds, produce for 6–12 months once established
  • Start with fast-growing greens (lettuce, basil, kale) during the first 3 months while the system cycles
  • A 13 sq ft grow bed supports roughly 26 lettuce heads or 3–4 tomato plants

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Last Updated: Mar 26, 2026

This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.

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