Does the growbed have to be above the tank?

Hooked_on_Ponics

Hello new friends,

First post. Hopefully I'm putting this in the right place.

My question is straight forward:

Quote:

Are you required to place your grow bed above the tank?

Here is the system I wish to purchase, for reference.

I am a little person so I was hoping to not have to use a step ladder for my gardening. I could easily manage and enjoy my garden more if I could place the growbeds at ground level next to the fish tanks.

I've done a lot of googling and searching through these forums, but can't find a definitive answer.

Thanks for your help,
Hooked_on_Ponics

earthbound

The simple answer is no.

But, you need to have either the fish tank or a sump tank below the growbed, something has to be at a lower level for the water to flow out of the bed and into. Perhaps you can dig either a sump tank or fish tank into the ground.

Hooked_on_Ponics

Thank you for the reply.

How much higher should the grow bed be above my tank? Six inches? One foot?

If you happen to know, it'd really help me plan my garden. I want to know what's the lowest from the ground I can place my grow bed.

Thanks again.

edit: My question as an image[ (for clarity).

earthbound

It can be sitting right on the fish tank, just so long as it can drain back in..

Gunagulla

The GB can be below the FT, so long as the sump is below the GB.

Hooked_on_Ponics

earthbound wrote:

It can be sitting right on the fish tank, just so long as it can drain back in..

If I have it sitting off to the side, how far does it have to be off of the ground?

earthbound

The bottom of the growbed can't be below the level of the water in the fish tank. If you have a big shallow fish tank, only a foot deep, then your growbed base can be a foot off the ground. BUT fish prefer a bit more depth than that... Theres nothing you can;t do really, you can have your fish tank only a foot deep and only have 3 inch deep beds, then you have a system with a total height of only 15 inches, but, it's not going to be highly productive, as you move away from more of the optimum situation, you compromise plant growth, fish health etc..

You can't bury the fish tank or a sump tank?

Hooked_on_Ponics

Sounds like it's time to grab a shovel. Thanks for the feedback and guidance.

Really appreciate it earthbound and Gunagulla. :]

Hooked_on_Ponics

Update:

I found a tank that may work, called a 60 gallon Deep Blue "Reef" tank (Amazon Link).

My question:

Quote:

Since the tank is 12" tall to begin with, will the water level get too low for the fish when water is pumped into the grow bed?

Here's a photo of it I found in a forum.

Margali

Some more information about where the system is going to be located and goals will help. Is it:
1. Outside or inside? Approximate room available including height
2. Outside- Can you dig?
3. Inside - Lighting source?
4. Power and water sources?
5. Are fish the main goal or plants?
6. What is the height you can reach comfortably both above and in front of you? That may change bed design recommendations.

Right now I'm confused because you talked about a shovel, so digging outside, but show a glass tank. I wouldn't put a glass tank outside at ground level. If you give us some more info, we can point you towards items that would work better.

Hooked_on_Ponics

Sorry for the late reply, here are my answers in red.

Margali wrote:

Some more information about where the system is going to be located and goals will help. Is it:
1. Outside or inside? Approximate room available including height
Inside. 5' W x 5' L x 8' H

2. Outside- Can you dig?
I checked with my landlord after getting advice from this thread, but she won't let me dig.

3. Inside - Lighting source?
Spectrum King Series 300

4. Power and water sources?
I'm not sure what you mean by this. I have a wall outlet and haven't looked into what water is best for fish yet.

5. Are fish the main goal or plants?
Plants.

6. What is the height you can reach comfortably both above and in front of you? That may change bed design recommendations.
I want to keep it at 24". My friend is going to help me build a platform now so it's not as big of a problem. The light though is 18" tall and needs 12" of clearance. All things considered, I'll have 3' 6" of grow room left after all the pieces are left.

Right now I'm confused because you talked about a shovel, so digging outside, but show a glass tank. I wouldn't put a glass tank outside at ground level. If you give us some more info, we can point you towards items that would work better.

Yeah, sorry about that. I forgot to mention I got a stern "no" from my landlord for digging. I guess 5 years residency with no missed payments won't win you any favors. :think:

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Does the growbed have to be above the tank?

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