Hello,

I will be housing my setup in a Walipini (pit) greenhouse. I live in zone 7A and estimate winter temps in greenhouse to be on average around 45f-50f unheated. I would like to have grow beds and a DWC bed and am struggling with the setup. At first I was going to have everything together in the greenhouse, however it was suggested to me that I separate the fish tank in a dedicated smaller room to better control water temps. (I am leaning toward tilapia.) I can do that by either partitioning off a portion of the greenhouse or build a room at ground level. I like the idea of a separate room at ground level. This can include the entrance to the greenhouse and help avoid any outside water from rain getting in. If I go this route, I can gravity feed to the beds.
Here is where I am struggling:
Not sure how to plumb for both grow and DWC beds
Concerned that the sump tank would lose a lot of heat during winter months and affect fish tank temps

Any thoughts, suggestions, links and/or tips would be appreciated.

Thanks
Jim

Jim Grieco wrote:I live in zone 7A and estimate winter temps in greenhouse to be on average around 45f-50f unheated.
...
Not sure how to plumb for both grow and DWC beds
Concerned that the sump tank would lose a lot of heat during winter months and affect fish tank temps

Tilapia will die at sustained temps of 50F or less.

Are you doing CHIFT PIST for the grow beds?
I think the DWC should be a separate system.

Thanks, but as I stated, the fish tank will be in a separate room and heated if needed.

Jim Grieco wrote:Thanks, but as I stated, the fish tank will be in a separate room and heated if needed.

If the water is flowing to the growbeds in the colder room that water is going to cool down really quickly. You'll need a heater in the FT if you go with tilapia.

I am able to keep tilapia alive in my house in Vermont without a heater but the water temps do drop to the lower 50s at night during the winter because the GB in right in front of a window. During the day the house temps are 70 and they don't drop below 65 too often.