Experiments on surface aquaponics were carried out in simulatedly-eutrophicated cement ponds with the concentrations ofkjeldahl nitrogen (KN) 2.084 mg·l^-1 and TP 0.248 mg·l^-1 and without any interference from natural environment factors. On the surface of ponds rice was planted on floating-beds without soil for the purpose of collecting nutrients (N & P) from water by absorption and adsorption of rice roots. The results show that the design is not only feasible but also very effective. When the coverage of rice on floating-beds were 20%, 40% and 60%, respectively with the water depth of about 1.4 m, the removal rates of KN in water reached 29.0%, 49.8% and 58.7%, respectively and those of TP 32.1%, 42.0% and 49.1%, respectively during the test period of 84 days from tillering to maturing of rice. Other main parameters of water quality were greatly improved. The results provided a scientific basis for surface aquaponics engineering to purify eutrophicated water bodies by planting terrestrial higher plants on floating-beds.