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Linking IBCs
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Author:  early retirement [ Mar 20th, '08, 16:15 ]
Post subject:  Linking IBCs
We had originally intended to add an aquaponics system to our conventional garden on the present property, but rising land values have seen ridiculous prices being offered for this house and we think we'll take them. This will mean a new house and a totally new set-up to what was planned. However, we still intend to use IBCs as our fishtanks as they are cheap for the volume and I can get them easily.

I'm interested in ways of linking the multiple ICBs so that only one pump is needed for each group. This would allow for size grading to help ensure a continuous output. I'm imagining some sort of tubular bulkhead connector with gauze screens on both sides to stop fish from changing tanks at will. Problem is, I haven't found anything suitable.

Any advice how to link these tanks is greatly appreciated.
Author:  Axl [ Mar 20th, '08, 16:33 ]
Post subject: 
Hi, We have 2 IBCs linked together as our sump. They are joined be a "skin fitting" it cost about $80-$90.
In hindsight it would have been easier to face both IBC's together and just get a small section of pipe and join the two at their outlets.
Author:  Food&Fish [ Mar 20th, '08, 16:46 ]
Post subject:  Re: Linking IBCs
Yes i am with axl i have 2 joined on a manifold by there outlets see members system food and fish page 25 for pictures of the vertical filter i made. I am currently working adding 2 more on the same system
Author:  Duckpond [ Mar 20th, '08, 17:43 ]
Post subject: 
i used 80mm poly tank couplings. see Duckponds fishpond. they were about $60 each, but are huge and use standard 80mm pvc fittings
Author:  Caribean-grower [ Mar 20th, '08, 23:45 ]
Post subject: 
A piece of hose (once it reaches the bottom of both tanks) acts like a syphon equalizing the water level of both tanks.

Like a syphon all that's necessary is to make sure both outlets are under water and the hose is filled with water.

This can be done buy filling the hose with water and hold both ends closed with your tumbs then placeing both ends underwater (each in a different tank) and releasing at the same time, or it maby easier to use a submersible pump and pump water from one container to another then remove the pump.

Once the syphon 'action' has started all that is required is to keep air out of the hose at all times.

This works a treat if you don't want to make holes in your tanks.
Author:  Duckpond [ Mar 21st, '08, 21:40 ]
Post subject: 
that is a great idea, so simple, so cheap, yet so effective. Im jealous that i did not think of it too.
Author:  Tony From West Oz [ Mar 22nd, '08, 23:50 ]
Post subject: 
Providing the pipe is a smaller diameter than the fish can traverse, you should not have any tube travellers as I did. with small Comets passing thru my 20mm syphon.
Author:  bio-farmer [ Mar 23rd, '08, 00:24 ]
Post subject: 
Caribean-grower wrote:
A piece of hose (once it reaches the bottom of both tanks) acts like a syphon equalizing the water level of both tanks.

Like a syphon all that's necessary is to make sure both outlets are under water and the hose is filled with water.

This can be done buy filling the hose with water and hold both ends closed with your tumbs then placeing both ends underwater (each in a different tank) and releasing at the same time, or it maby easier to use a submersible pump and pump water from one container to another then remove the pump.

Once the syphon 'action' has started all that is required is to keep air out of the hose at all times.

This works a treat if you don't want to make holes in your tanks.


thats a darn good idea and has made me rethink my design. thanks for the knowledge CG.

how is the water height regulated in the tanks?
Author:  Outbackozzie [ Mar 23rd, '08, 07:00 ]
Post subject: 
Both tanks will equalize to the same level.
Author:  Caribean-grower [ Mar 23rd, '08, 23:04 ]
Post subject: 
All the water in the tanks will have the same level.

If the tanks have varying heights you would have to rise or lower the actually tank to hold the desired amount of water.
Author:  twintragics [ Mar 24th, '08, 11:38 ]
Post subject: 
I siphon over the top from one tank to another. It works well but is not very pleasing aesthetically. It is easily knocked and whilst it works I would prefer the tanks joined at the base.
'early' if I was u, I would join them at the outlet tap as others have suggested. Tee off from there to your tanks. Put ballvalve taps either side of ur tee so you can isolate ur tanks for maintenance etc.
Duckpond, with what u got goin on man, u aint got nothing to be jealous about.
Author:  early retirement [ Mar 29th, '08, 09:32 ]
Post subject:  Re: Linking IBCs
A few more IBC questions. Where can you buy an adaptor that takes 40 or 50 mm PVC pipe that screws into the IBC tap (which looks to be a 2" BSP thread)? Council regulations allow a 10m2 garden shed without approval, so current thoughts are to link 5 IBC side by side. I can lay a concrete slab and build a brick shed with an insulated corrugated iron roof. This should allow for a more constant water temperature as well as protect the ICBs from UV damage. Also keep the grandkids from swimming ;-) Besides the linking from the taps I'll use CG's idea of siphons - U shaped 50 mm PVC. Any ideas on how to net the ends to stop fish migration? Same for the tap linkages?

Next, I notice most people seem to cut the entire top of the IBC off. Looking at the tanks, a 30 x 30 cm opening cut around the filler would retain the maximum strength and still allow reasonable access. It would also make it easier to devise some type of mesh cover to keep the fish in and everything else out. Any particular reason to cut the entire top off?
Author:  EllKayBee [ Mar 29th, '08, 09:45 ]
Post subject: 
I wrapped gutter guard around the pipe (cable tie to hold around pipe) and slipped it down so it touched the base of the sump tank...no problems with fish migration :D

Attachments:
File comment: 40mm pvc (top right) connecting 2 sump tanks - black gutter guard wrapped around pipe
20070920 Isolation tank.jpg
20070920 Isolation tank.jpg [ 159.19 KiB | Viewed 2543 times ]
Author:  Outbackozzie [ Mar 29th, '08, 11:46 ]
Post subject:  Re: Linking IBCs
early retirement wrote:
into the IBC tap (which looks to be a 2" BSP thread)?


Its not a 2" BSP, its a 2" 'something no shop knows about' thread :P

There is a shop online that sells the adapters. It is probably easier to just use skin fittings - this is what I would do if doing it again.
Author:  Lungy [ Mar 29th, '08, 14:58 ]
Post subject: 
Buttress thread usually here is a good resource for ibc fittings
http://www.couplers.com.au/Uploads/Imag ... 07-fax.pdf
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