Not sure where this idea came from, probably from some random online video of a warehouse doing hydroponics on an industrial scale. The concept isn't difficult, just run fish water through a flower bed, I can do that.
It started with a smaller 25 gallon tank, where the goal was only to keep fish alive and have it self sustaining. Took a lot of work but eventually it got there (aside from water changes, those still required supervision and manual flipping of switches) and many lessons were learned. With the pilot run out of the way, it was time to build this version.
Here's a rough rundown of what all was used.
Sketch
Drilling holes
stand
starting the plumbing
sand art
outlets installed
plumbing complete
running with fish
stand lighting
ssr installed
temp lighting
lid
new lighting