Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I've got a bunch of blue barrels set up as grow beds and I need to fix a bunch of the plumbing. I was considering scrapping the barrels and seeing about getting an IBC and cutting it in half to create two large grow beds. I've never gotten an chance to check out an IBC up close though I've seen a bunch of pictures. If I cut the IBC in half would I be able to fill them up with gravel and have them hold themselves up or would I have to have the cage around it to keep the sides from bulging out? If I do need the cage.. do you think it would stay structurally sound enough to hold the container full of gravel together after being cut in half? Is anyone else doing this?

Now I've seen someone's system here where they took an IBC and cut the top 1/3rd off, flipped it over and set it back into the cage ontop of the bottom 2/3rds which was being used as the fish tank. I can't really do the same thing since I want to turn both into growbeds.

I have used IBC's in this way. You will definately need the cages around them Check out my thread if you want to have a look...

To save you searching, page 7 has the best photos

So of course I ended up looking at the entire thread anyways Nice set up.

I can find those IBC's around here but eveyone wants $100-200 a piece for used food grade. It looks like you have plenty of spare cages and such. I was hoping to get one IBC and be able to use the cage to both halves of the tote. What sort of metal are they? I have a buddy down the street that would probably help me weld but I don't know that he has a welder for aluminum.

Listed price on ebay was $100 for mine I brought 5 and got him down to $90 each. But diff country etc.

You will need support as mine were only 300mm tall and still needed a bit of support.
If you wanted it neat you might cut the middle bit out as you will only have 100mm overlap or so.

Great idea though, Its a good way for me to upsize my system later.

Thanks If using gravel, they need a LOT of support - found that out the hard way. They are just galv, not ally. I just used a little stick welder easy as