Aquaponics & S/H?

[Selmo]

The thing with doing orchids and planted aquariums. Is what is the priority, orchids or the aquarium. The light requirements are completely different for each one. Aquarium plants take much higher light than most orchids take, minus maybe vandas. If the aquarium plants are the priority, then you’ll have to provide some shade for the orchids. It will take a little experimentation to get the light balance right for both.
If orchids are the priority, then set up the aquarium as you would a normal fish tank. You have to remember that orchids like to be wet then dry. Not wet continuously, they need some dry time. If you use the one of the hydroponic techniques, where you bubble the aquarium water and suspend the orchid roots in the mist of bubbles. The roots stay moist, not wet. You will need a few fish on the aquarium or else you’ll only be humidifing the roots , no nutrients.
Good luck with this project, interested in how it goes. Keep us posted and updated with photos.