Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi All,

my name is Nathan and I've been using this forum quite a bit the last few months which is an excellent resource for information so thanks to all of you for that.

I building an aquaculture system now myself and in my gusto I picked up 6 IBC containers (they were $33 each!!) but my build is only going to use 4 I have decided. so now I have two spare.

My housemate brought ice home one day for an ice bath and it got me thinking of rigging these two IBC's into a home made pair of plunge pools. with the option to have them both heated or one heat one ice for sports rehabilitation.

I found a few examples on instructables the links are below
http://www.instructables.com/id/IBC-abo ... unge-pool/

and

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to- ... d-hot-tub/

also one for the kids

http://www.instructables.com/id/IBC-Tote-Kiddie-Pool/

my question here is would a bio filter work to filter the water to keep it clean or should I just be happy with chlorine tablets, (I'd rather not use chemicals though) Also does anyone have alternative ways of water heating? i know of solar piping, and the wood heater options

Any ideas would be appreciated

Regards
Van Pam

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I can't see how Bio filtration will work as there will not be a consistent nutrient level to keep the bacteria alive..
I would think that the issue is HOT and COLD.. ie - you can't treat them as one system..

I would look at salt chlorination with small pumps and catalytic. Units...

Heating- I would look at electric elements and a couple of solar pv panels..
Cooling.. you could use PV and an old portable Air Conditioner, with a stainless immersion tube, replacing the original heat exchanger..

You could be better to look at adding PV and grid feed in, and then just run the operation from the.grid....
That way you get access to the PV power all year round...
..
.

thanks for your reply makes alot of sense really. Didn't even think about the nutrition factor for the bacteria. I'll definitely look into other methods

I think it's worth investigating, 'natural' pools are a thing and the dilution of nutrients would surely be an issue for those if it would be a problem for a smaller body of water?
Only pondering though, not based in experience at all.