Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hopefully, this doesn't start WW III. We're in the process of building a medium sized system. I'll be starting a build thread shortly.

I'm trying to decide which way to cut our barrels. Here's what I've come up with so far....
I think the plumbing should be the same.

Lenthgwise:

Pro
1. Larger grow bed
2. Easier to build a stable platform

Con
1. More shallow depth
2. Need to support the sides

Cut in half

Pro
1. Deeper grow bed
2. Do not need to support the sides
3. height is a bit taller. Not as much bending.

Con
1. Smaller surface area for plants
2. Possibly more awkward of a stand

Can anybody else shed the pros/cons for each style of growbed?

Thanks!!

John

It depends on so much of the rest of your design and the space you have to work with.

Circular half barrels are also great for wicking beds or if used as GBs the extra volume of wet gravel but reduced growing area can be compensated for by NFT or DWC.

G'day
I've got 5 blue drums to cut, I already had the decision of which way to cut them taken out of my hands as they are missing the bung plugs so I'll be cutting them long ways.

What would people advise as the easiest way to neatly cut them?
I am tossing up between the angle grinder, circular saw or just carpenters hand saw.

I like the look of the long ways cut barrels but Im not sure what would be more efficient. I like using a jigsaw to cut IBC's but the other methods would work too.

Jigsaw

Jigsaw it is then.
I found a good sharp Stanley knife cut through the ibc's ok.

This was discussed a while back! it all comes down to nutrient density and required biofiltration capacity.

It lightly stocked and growing greens, a long cut may be better, if heavily stocked/going for fruiting plants, a shorter cut may be better. plus all the other considerations about support, plumbing etc....

Don't use a grinder - the wrong disc can melt the plastic.

Jigsaw - get the right speed and your fine.

Here is my first system, with instructions and pics. It may help you decide.

I grew everything from melons to lettuce to tomatoes.

The only real problem I had, besides little boys putting all kinds of things in the tank was, roots clogging the siphon. The system was small so it happened towards the end of every summer grow season.

http://sehoner.blogspot.com/2012/06/v-b ... tvmlo.html