Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I don't mean seeding's grown in soil either, we're talk mature plants.

The 4 plants in question being 2 x Basil plants and 2 x Chili plants, both are 1 year old and do quiet well in the soil ... I understand your probably thinking, why move them then? I need to dig up the area in which they currently occupy, so they need moving and with a small backyard my options are limited - in steps the Aquaponics grow bed, the grow bed has got the room for 4 mature plants but I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not?

Put them in pouches with soil and put the pouch on a media bed. Sort of like mini wicking bed.

You shouldn't be transferring an old plant from soil to AP as the roots are developing differently and the plant will be shocked of transplanting. It may survive but damaged.

I would be very, very careful if you transplant anything from an uncontrolled environment into an AP system.

The reason would be the introduction of pests. In a natural environment, there are predators that keep populations down. However, if you bring in some type of bug and introduce it to the aquaponics sytem, there will likely not be anything to keep their populations down.. which can result in a huge infestation.

I actually am in the middle of this exact scenario, and am really wishing that we hadn't brought in anything from outside!

be careful! some bugs are not visible to the naked eye, and even carefully washing the roots can fail to remove any bugs, eggs, or larvae.