Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This kit was designed to incorporate a 10 gallon aquarium into an aquaponics system. It comes with a growth bed and support stands that allow it to fit snugly over an aquarium. It also has plant light supports but does not come with a grow light. There is a pump with a timer and a transparent flexible PVC tube that runs from the aquarium to the bottom of the overhanging growth bed. Water is pumped into the growth bed and is then drained back into the aquarium via two drains that are located on either side of the bed. The bed itself can be filled with clay pellets. I had to modify this kit to fit my aquarium because I wanted the fish to have some live plants, Since the live plants would require lighting, I needed to include an overhanging hood with LED light. Since the growth bed fit too snugly over the aquarium, I elevated it by putting a brick under each leg. I then had to cut away the back corners of the aquarium lid. If I hadn't done this, the water drains would have been obstructed and water would have cascaded off the cover and onto the floor. The draining water fell 6-8 inches from the bottom of the growth bed into the aquarium. To avoid having the plunging water stir up the aquarium and unnecessarily alarm the fish, I stood two pieces of drift wood in the tank and leaned them against the back corners. The turbulence of the water has been reduced because water draining from the growth bed now hits the drift wood. The clay pellets float and when I first tested the system, the rising water actually began pushing the top layers of pellets out of the growth bed. I removed some of the pellets and because each of these pellets are about the size of a small marble, I had concerns about loose seeds falling to the bottom of the bed. To avoid losing my seeds, I purchased a biostrate hydroponic growing mat (through Amazon) that I lay on top of the pellets. I sprinkled seeds over the mat, covered them with a damp paper towel and let them germinate. I have included a picture of my tank set up (though you cannot see the brick supports on either side). I have also included a picture of my first planting of fenugreek which is doing quite well after just 1 1/2 weeks of growth. UPDATED May 2, 2017 After harvesting fenugreek to feed to a pet rabbit, I tried planting herbs from Home Depot. I planted English Thyme, Chocolate Mint, and Basil using the biodegradable containers the plants came in. To ensure that the roots didn't drown, I added an air pump to the aquarium. It's been 3 weeks and the plants are THRIVING. I've had to remove some of the clay pellets and estimate that I'm currently using about a third of the amount I originally received. I am pleased overall with this product.