Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I can be a bit of a pedant at times...if it wasn't cut neat, I would have been forever face palming myself!

Had also noticed many folks cut the tops of their FTs in this way. Made sense to me, so followed that lead.

Do it once, do it right, that's me!!

Update, y'all

So, I have two cats. Have had them for about two years now. In that time, I would have spent a ridiculous amount of money on them, from vets bills to cat food and collars. So, as I had a couple large-ish holes to dig, I figured it time to put the animals to work and get back some of what they owe me. Unfortunately, one disappeared just at the right moment, so the other had to shoulder the load.

Below are pics of the occasion.

Cleo digging a trench



Cleo enjoying a well earned rest after digging



Cleo inspecting the fit of one IBC into the 1 cubic metre hole she just dug



...and what really happened



The trench is to run mains power accross the yard to AP area. Need to collect electrical bits tomorrow from Bunnings (and don't worry, I won't be wiring it myself ). FT is clean and ready to be backfilled. I will drop a few sheets of ply in beside it, as well as filling with water as I surround with dirt. Still not entirely sure if this will be the FT or sump just yet...to be decided.

If you have not been Told..
For the IBC in the ground make use you place the cage section around the tank and also some timber or Roof iron around it before you backfill or the soil could/can collapse the Tank..

juergen

You don't need to keep replacing fish as you take them out to keep your system running and producing. There should be a build up of solids in your growbeds which will continue to supply nutrients while you have no fish for a while.

Get yourself a vacuum sealer harvest all your fish, seal them and place them in your freezer. Buy new stock of fingerlings. Rince and repeat.

I had been told this...but, what if I fill the IBC with water as I am backfilling the soil? Ensuring the water is at or slightly above the level of the soil as I work should keep everything in place no?

Don't get me wrong, not trying to be cheap or lazy, just curious... Also, what purpose does burying the cage serve? I have also read this around the forum, but is the cage not meant to keep the IBC from expanding? How would it expand if surrounded by (ply sheets and) soil?

I was hoping to use the cages to surround the grow beds, cutting just the top half of each cage to suit. Could I incorporate the two leftover halves to surround the tank? Also, is it best if I use the cage base under the tank as well??

Kinda two purposes, 1 - to keep the tank bowing out and 2 - to provide a frame to support the ply evenly. Sort of reassurance that no uneven pressures are applied to any section of the FT.

Top work on the cutting by the way.

p.s. IMHO I would totally use that as your sump.

Seriously considering asking the guy I got these IBCs from if he has any more... These two were a carton each!! But I'd reeeeeally like one of those nice round poly-tanks. Not too big, maybe 1500mm around....a little cost prohibitive though.

Hearing you on the cage. Better safe than sorry and all that, I suppose. I might be able to get hold of a couple old cages at the local buy back, so I can keep theses for the growbeds.

And cheers

Yep grab an old cage and some old tin. Gage then wrapped in the tin then back fill. All equals no pressure on your tank bladder.
Nice cats, but dont be backing your team to win a flag in the near future eh, my daughter barracks for them too, sad.
Go Cats

@ mantis; Bomber Thompson says hi! Also, please tell your daughter not to worry...I was raised by Collingwood/Nth Melbourne parents and I came thru OK


Another Q.

The main part of this build will be the construction of the lean to/awning covering tank (/sump) and beds. The reason for this, is I dont want to get overflows, or system dilation due to heavy rain. Also, tomatoes are difficult to grow up here, due to the combination of getting wet, humidity and sunlight causing them to basically rot. If I can keep everything dry, I think I might have some success with this.

Conversely, if the awning is superfluous, it would save me some work...

Thoughts?

You cheated with the digger

That aint cheating. I wish I could have gotten one into my backyard but no access. I had a spanish made digger , emanual

Nope not cheating just smart..

If you can get it in, use it..

Juergen

yep work smarter not harder

Out of interest how long did it take you to teach the cat to dig such a straight cut channel?

Amazing stuff...

I had fully planned to dig the holes myself. Figured I'd set a week aside and get stuck in... But lemme tell ya, digging compacted clay soil, littered with rocks, is a mission enough when digging holes for planting.

I figured, at $90, the job is done in an hour, it's gonna be accurate, clean, and my back isn't in a brace. I absolutely agree that its cheating, but aren't rules there for breaking??