Burying my fish tank

[Jeff S]

Is there any reason I shouldn't bury my IBC tank halfway in the ground? My reason for doing this is to lower the grow bed over the tank to a more manageable height.

 

 

[Leo White Bear]

This will work and many aquapons do this for that reason but, you must remember that the ground will keep your FT cool and many plants require heated weather to grow at their optimum so I would incorporate some type of insulation around the FT and possably use a tank heater.  Unless you are doing trout or salmon the fish will do well at various temperastures.  Catfish will survive 65°F water but they will flourish at 70° - 85°F as do tilapia.  Remember that if you are growing carnivorous fish, the water temperature should range from 65° - 90°F depending on the species.

  Tomatoes flower at 72.7° and set fruit at 79°F.  This is a crucial time for the plant as any fluctuations below 72°F may cause the flowers to drop and no fruit will be set.

[Robert Rowe]

In the present weather, temperature management would be reduced if you bury all or part of the tank. In the ground tanks are a maintenence problem, but stabilize the temperature to a greater degree.

[TCLynx]

In ground tanks take on a very different nature depending on climate.

Where I live the ground temperature (geo-coupling) is a benefit for both keeping this warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

However, in most northern climates ggeo-coupling would only be appropriate for maybe trout or salmon so insulation is likely the best choice there.

Keep in mind that soil will tend to try to collapse in on a tank so you want to make sure you provide enough structure/support to keep your tank from being crushed.  Also, if you go with in ground tanks, you have to make sure they are not going to try to float up if there is a flood event while your tank is mostly empty.  Floating sump tanks damages lots of plumbing and systems when the ground drainage around the system isn't taken into account.

If doing an in ground tank, you will likely want to make sure you are planning to use a submersible pump since trying to install in inline pump for a below grade tank can be very problematic, especially if you are in a region where a pit beside your in ground tank might flood.

Also take into account where you will be digging.  Is it an easy place to dig?  I'm lucky, my sand is easy to dig, however sand tends to collapse in on tanks easier than some solid clay.  Are you likely to encounter roots or big rocks where you want to dig?  What about water pipes, irrigation, wires, utility lines?  Think safety.

You might also consider if it might be more appropriate to run a system as CHIFT PIST or CHOP instead of pumping from an in ground fish tank up to a grow bed right over top.  The constant height in fish tank options can allow for easier future expansion.

Good Luck figuring out your options and what suits your situation best.