Fill the tanks

1. Water level

Family greenhouse
Minimum water level: 5 cm below the rim of the submerged filter
Maximum water level (ideal): below the rim of the submerged filter

City greenhouse
Minimum water level: 20 cm from the top of the fish tank
Maximum water level (ideal): 5 cm from the top of the fish tank (the bottom of the 3 towers above the fish tank is submerged)

2. Types of water to use

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Advice
While waiting for your greenhouse to be installed, you can start by testing the water source you want to use to supply your fish tanks with water.
If possible, start storing rainwater so that you meet the fish tank filling conditions as soon as the installation is complete.

Using a test strip or a drop test, determine the carbonate hardness (KH) value of the water:

KH < 3°d: the water contains no carbonates; it is too soft. It can be used in combination with harder water (mains water).
4°d < KH < 5°d: the water is soft and contains enough carbonates. It can be used to fill the fish tanks.
KH > 6°d: the water is hard and contains too many carbonates. It can be used in combination with softer water (osmosis water or rainwater).

Water type	Average carbonate hardness KH
Osmosis water	3°d
Rainwater (stored in a plastic tank)	4°d
Tap water	12 to 14°d
Rainwater (stored in a concrete tank)	15°d
Hard water	15°d
Well / borehole water	> 20°d

Summary table of the average carbonate hardness of the different types of water available to you. These values are provided for information only and do not replace the value indicated on your test strip.

3. Proportions for filling the fish tanks

As soon as the greenhouse installation is complete, you can fill the fish tanks and, at the same time, start cycling.

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Here are our recommendations for filling:

2/3 soft water (KH<5°d) = rainwater or osmosis water

1/3 hard water = tap water

It is essential to follow these proportions to establish the symbiosis between bacteria, plants and fish.

These proportions will also allow you to stabilize the environment and subsequently obtain a pH that remains stable over time.

Tap water contains minerals that are essential for bacterial development. It adds carbonates to the environment, which are needed to stabilize the pH and create a suitable environment for your fish.

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DO NOT DO THIS
Do not fill the fish tanks exclusively with tap water.
Do not fill the fish tanks exclusively with rainwater.
Consequences:

Complications in managing KH and pH parameters

Longer cycling time

Delays in vegetation growth and the introduction of fish

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Pump operation

The pump and the air pump / aerator must be activated continuously from the start, even before the plants and fish arrive.

The cycling process relies on microbial activity inside the growing towers and requires continuous water circulation and oxygenation.

During filter maintenance operations, the pump can be switched off temporarily.

4. Adding the cycling components

As soon as the fish tanks are filled and the pump is running continuously, you can start the cycling at the same time to establish the bacteria in the water.

If you have any other questions about filling the fish tanks, contact us directly at [email protected].

5. Water management in the fish tanks

Managing the fish tanks in a growing system is essential to ensure the installation operates properly and to keep plants and fish healthy. Here are some key points to monitor to ensure the system remains effective.

Maintain the correct water level in the fish tanks. An adequate water level ensures the proper operation of the entire irrigation system.
Make sure that neither plants nor fruits are soaking in the water. If plants or fruits fall into the fish tanks, this could eventually lead to rotting problems or contaminate the water.
Monitor the roots: they must not become too invasive, because roots that are too long or too dense can disrupt the balance of the fish tank and affect plant health.
The fish tanks are connected, which allows automatic regulation of the water level. Topping up the level can therefore be done in just one fish tank to adjust the whole system. However, if this regulation does not work properly, you can intervene by removing the cap from the fish tank outlet pipe to help restore the balance.