Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Is the flood and drain system necessary? I have a big tub of fish, and i put a little tub on top of it. The pump pumps water from the fish up to the tub on top, which drains into the big tank. Simple. The fish are very aerated.
I don't have any media up top; I simply have potted (in soil) plants sitting in the water, wicking it up.
Do i NEED to have the roots exposed to AIR? or is it just important that they are exposed to oxygen within the water?
I've done this with plants like pothos and mint and basil for the past 2 years in various systems, and it has worked. The plants have thrived.
My question is: is it ideal for roots to touch air / be dry?

What is providing the bio-filtration in your system?

I have a lot of rocks and pebbles on the bottom of the tank. And some large sponges for a sponge filter.

Depends, if you are just using it to support the roots and not as your primary biofilter it is absolutely not necessary, and some plants don't need high levels of O2 around their roots, I don't think mint would care one way or the other. However if you have no other mechanism for solids handling or biofiltration I would absolutely flood and drain also for fruiting plants I would flood and drain as the higher O2 levels around the roots seem to make a considerable difference.

Got any pictures, usually helps.