In your configuration all the crud is going to be on top and you will have to lift
those heavy filters out and clean them. further, the weight of the water shoves the
fine particles down into (and thru) the filter material making it a lot harder to
clean. plants wont grow well if shaded.

But top cleaning will be easier for me, by using a wet/dry shop vac to
clean with...

Guess I'll just have to play with it until I get it so it works for me


Plants won't be shaded much.