{"product_id":"fishplant-retro-fit-grow-bed-unit","title":"FishPlant Retro-Fit Grow Bed Unit – Pond Aquaponics System","description":"\u003ch2\u003eTurn an established pond into an aquaponic vegetable bed\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eFishPlant Retro-Fit Grow Bed Unit\u003c\/strong\u003e lets you run a FishPlant-style \u003cstrong\u003eaquaponics\u003c\/strong\u003e bed straight off a pond you already have, with no separate fish tank to buy. A submersible pump lifts pond water into a black \u003cstrong\u003eFishPlant PlantBed\u003c\/strong\u003e filled with \u003cstrong\u003eclay pebbles\u003c\/strong\u003e; the water trickles through the pebbles and returns to the pond through the drain and overflow fittings. On the way, beneficial bacteria living on the pebbles convert fish waste into the \u003cstrong\u003enitrate\u003c\/strong\u003e plants feed on, so the bed grows salads and herbs while the plants take nutrients out of the pond water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat's Included\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFishPlant PlantBed\u003c\/strong\u003e (grow bed)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInlet\/drain fitting\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverflow fitting and tubing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFishPlant PlantBed Pebbles\u003c\/strong\u003e (clay pebbles)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubmersible pump\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUses the pond you already have\u003c\/strong\u003e – no fish tank, stand or plumbing kit to source separately.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFish feed the plants\u003c\/strong\u003e – bacteria in the pebble bed turn fish waste into plant-available nitrogen.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlants help the pond\u003c\/strong\u003e – roots draw nutrients out of the water as it passes through the bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClay pebble media\u003c\/strong\u003e – free-draining, reusable and inert, giving good air around the roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComplete kit\u003c\/strong\u003e – bed, pump, fittings, tubing and pebbles in one box.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy grow beds struggle without the right flow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFish waste is mostly ammonia, which is toxic to fish and useless to plants until bacteria convert it. A bed of clay pebbles gives those bacteria a huge surface to colonise, and constant flow keeps \u003cstrong\u003eoxygen\u003c\/strong\u003e moving through the \u003cstrong\u003eroot zone\u003c\/strong\u003e so roots stay healthy rather than sitting in stagnant water. FishPlant's guidance is to let a new bed run for at least a week before planting, start with salads, leafy vegetables and herbs, and add plants gradually as the bacteria establish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow to Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSite the bed\u003c\/strong\u003e on a firm, level base beside the pond so water drains back into it; no stand is supplied.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFill the PlantBed\u003c\/strong\u003e with the clay pebbles, place the pump in the pond and connect the tubing to the inlet, drain and overflow fittings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRun it for at least a week\u003c\/strong\u003e before planting so bacteria colonise the pebbles; aim for a \u003cstrong\u003epH of 6–8\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant well-rooted plugs\u003c\/strong\u003e just below the pebble surface. FishPlant warn \u003cstrong\u003enever to use stonewool\u003c\/strong\u003e, as its fibres can harm fish gills.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUse physical pest control only\u003c\/strong\u003e – systemic pesticides are toxic to fish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClean the pump monthly\u003c\/strong\u003e and keep the inlet clear of debris.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"hcs-specs\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSystem type:\u003c\/strong\u003e aquaponic media grow bed run from an existing pond\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContents:\u003c\/strong\u003e PlantBed, inlet\/drain fitting, overflow fitting and tubing, clay pebbles, submersible pump\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrow media:\u003c\/strong\u003e FishPlant PlantBed Pebbles (expanded clay)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWorking pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6–8 (FishPlant guidance)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeed capacity:\u003c\/strong\u003e a mature PlantBed processes about 30 g of fish food a day (FishPlant guide)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuggested crops:\u003c\/strong\u003e salads, leafy vegetables and herbs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot included:\u003c\/strong\u003e stand, pond, fish, heater or air pump\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"hcs-faq\"\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border:1px solid #e6e6e6;border-radius:8px;padding:12px 16px;margin:0 0 8px;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;font-weight:600;\"\u003eDo I need a fish tank?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:10px 0 0;\"\u003eNo. The Retro-Fit unit is designed to run off an established pond: the pump sits in the pond and the bed drains back into it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails style=\"border:1px solid #e6e6e6;border-radius:8px;padding:12px 16px;margin:0 0 8px;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;font-weight:600;\"\u003eDo I need to add nutrients?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:10px 0 0;\"\u003eFish waste supplies most of what the plants need. FishPlant's guide says iron usually needs adding in a fish-safe form, and calcium may be needed in very soft water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails style=\"border:1px solid #e6e6e6;border-radius:8px;padding:12px 16px;margin:0 0 8px;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhat should I plant first?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:10px 0 0;\"\u003eStart with salads, leafy vegetables and herbs from well-rooted plugs or washed bare roots, and avoid stonewool plugs. More demanding crops can follow once the bed is established.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails style=\"border:1px solid #e6e6e6;border-radius:8px;padding:12px 16px;margin:0 0 8px;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;font-weight:600;\"\u003eIs a stand included?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:10px 0 0;\"\u003eNo. The kit contents are the bed, pump, fittings, tubing and pebbles, so plan a firm, level base that lets the bed drain back into the pond.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWorks Well With\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"hcs-related\" style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:10px;margin:12px 0 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/ph-test-kit\" style=\"flex:1 1 240px;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;padding:10px 12px;border:1px solid #e6e6e6;border-radius:8px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;background:#fff;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0748\/7127\/5786\/files\/Growth-tech-ph-test-kit-medium_landscape.jpg?v=1746904924\u0026amp;width=160\" alt=\"pH Test Kit\" width=\"64\" height=\"64\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:64px;height:64px;object-fit:contain;flex:none;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:14px;line-height:1.4;\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"display:block;\"\u003epH Test Kit\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#008d37;\"\u003eKeep pond water between pH 6 and 8\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/root-t-plug-refill-bag-60\" style=\"flex:1 1 240px;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;padding:10px 12px;border:1px solid #e6e6e6;border-radius:8px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;background:#fff;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0748\/7127\/5786\/files\/grow-media-rootit-dry-pest-free-propagation-rooting-cells-40129398538455.png?v=1786377580\u0026amp;width=160\" alt=\"Root!T Propagation Plug Refill Bag\" width=\"64\" height=\"64\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:64px;height:64px;object-fit:contain;flex:none;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:14px;line-height:1.4;\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"display:block;\"\u003eRoot!T Propagation Plug Refill Bag\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#008d37;\"\u003eStart plants in plugs, not stonewool\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/hailea-aco-series-adjustable-air-pump\" style=\"flex:1 1 240px;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;padding:10px 12px;border:1px solid #e6e6e6;border-radius:8px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;background:#fff;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0748\/7127\/5786\/files\/hailea_aco9601_2.jpg?v=1785294104\u0026amp;width=160\" alt=\"Hailea ACO Series Adjustable Air Pump\" width=\"64\" height=\"64\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:64px;height:64px;object-fit:contain;flex:none;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:14px;line-height:1.4;\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"display:block;\"\u003eHailea ACO Series Adjustable Air Pump\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#008d37;\"\u003eExtra aeration for the fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"FishPlant","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53933555253514,"sku":"HYD-FISH-001-01","price":158.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0748\/7127\/5786\/files\/fishplant-retro-fit-grow-bed-unit-default-title-1.jpg?v=1792337677","url":"https:\/\/hydrocropshop.co.uk\/products\/fishplant-retro-fit-grow-bed-unit","provider":"Hydro Crop Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}