Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Just read an article that said the IBC Totes are made to be kept inside or the sunlight will degrade them and deteriorate the plastic. Any truth to this?

I was thinking about putting a system outside.

Lots of people put them outside. You'll probably see empty IBC's standing stacked outside as you drive around town. Yes over time the plastic can degrade but it takes a long time. You'll also find that most people paint the outside to block the light which slows or stops algae growth inside the tank as well as protecting the plastic. Check out the IBC of Aquaponics, it's a free PDF you can download with lots of system examples using IBCs - http://ibcofaquaponics.com/

Unprotected IBC plastic goes brittle after a few years exposure to sunlight/UV, so you could end up with a catastrophic failure at some stage. Painting or some other light-proof surround avoids the problem.

yes - but it takes a long time.

I know of one instance where one being used as a fire/farm storage on a trailer finally failed with water sloshing around etc etc. The guy had it from used at least 8-10 years and had sat in full sun on a trailer pretty much every day. It was a crappy IBC to start with (usually IBC used for AP are clean).

so in an AP situation in the shade they will last a long time.
I have one that I got used 8 years ago and no issues - not painted and not covered.
Bit of natural shade from trees etc. but also some full morning sun.

The opaque ones don't have UV inhibitors (I think) you can get black blue and grey ones. And as to whether the opaque ones degrade there is nothing worse when messing about in the plastic pile and fall through one especially if it has water in it.

Can totes that have Contained liquid fertilizer or liquid soil aerator in them ok to use.

I am unsure what liquid soil aerator is and would need to see the MSD's. Liquid fertilizer should be ok providing it is rinsed well.

A lot of liquid soil aeration products are nothing more than a concentrated soap.

Try this out, when you have a mud puddle that won't drain, stir in some dish soap. It breaks the Surface Tension of the water and lets it pass down thru the soil easier.

I was given two IBC's of unknown vintage or what was contained in them . The taps have degraded from sun exposure making them brittle , bugger

That's why u got them for FREE. If the taps are degraded then the rest will also be. What you can do is put a liner on the inside, just find some that is 8-10 mil's, and fold the hospital corners under the face side in the corners. I, use to use Commercial greenhouse plastic from a grower, most of his was from 40' wide rolls, 6 mil thickness, and has UV inhibitors in it already

Found this site, but I, don't know were in Perth you are

ibc in Perth Region, WA Gumtree Australia Free Local Classifieds

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-perth/ibc/k0l3008303

Saw some from $30 and up. some even have windows in them already.

That is a great idea !

I was thinking I'm now lumbered with IBC's I couldn't use for liquid ,

I'll go get some pond liner , problem solvered !

Thanks for that we call it soil wetter over here; liquid soil aerator almost sounds like an oxymoron.

yes and no, what is good for fluffing up dry compacted soil? (soil, not clay)

water!

Gypsum, makes compacted soil into friable soil.

If the taps are brittle the tank wont be far behind so only a good quality liner will save your contents. There'd be a lot of pressure down at the unsupported radius corner, a rupture there could tear the liner. For all the work you're going to put into it I'd get a better IBC.