Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

was using IBC tank cut as growing bed, as moving home, so need to set up another system later on. have a question about growing bed, and wish to hear you guys opinion, should i keep using the IBC tank as growing bed, or does anyone have a cheaper source to buy proper growing bed. I am after 4-6 square metre growing bed, if using IBC, firstly, it won't be that cheaper, as need to buy food one, clean, cut, and setup with more siphons, and lastly, won't look good as the proper growing bed.

IBC's are the cheapest, if you can get them cheap/free (counter intuitive isn't it!)

Another option is a "Tilkey Tub" or some other similar tub. Have a look at what's available from places like Landmark or Elders for water/feed/supplement troughs/tubs for livestock.

A few members have used corrugated metal raised garden beds, have a look at Mel's system. I've seen these available for under $100 each on special here in Adelaide

Otherwise you have a lot of choices with liners, Dura Scrim is (I think, could be wrong) the cheapest at $14/m for 2m wide. You would then need to buy/make something to line. I've been having silly ideas about buying the raised garden beds from the Aldi catalogue, my local store still has a pallet of them and they'll be on discount soon. They were in the catalogue for $30 each and I'd try lining them with Dura Scrim to make gravel grow beds.

Edit: Found a picture of the Aldi Beds but it's a bit big to display here

https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/163813/33176/image.jpg

For DIY lined grow beds have a look at Columns youtube channel

still, ok then, i will see the space that i can have for my new backyard, then decide, i have got few IBC tank from gumtree, $30 each with missing cap.

It really depends on what your building skills are like.

I've got a few videos on how to make them, but they are just open topped boxes that are water tight. Wood/steel/fiberglass, there are plenty of ways to make them.

and weight of media+water is a factor in anything you build.... but Colums video is a good summary.
there are also a couple of threads with 'grow bed' in the subject and pics.


Those are actually rain-tank spec used for fish tanks not grow beds. Mel uses IBC for grow beds.
The raintank spec tend to be a lot more expensive because they have a fixed base, are water tight and food (drink water) safe ones often have a thin-liner on inside.

For AP grow beds colorbond etc would scratch very easily in most media and rust risk would be higher..

The stock troughs work pretty well - but they tend to be a bit more expensive.
You wouldn't have to worry so much about the food grade issue for grow beds using [most] new HDPE.
And most people do just fine with properly cleaned IBC's.

no doubt the commercial ones like those Backyard Aquaponics make/sell (now Cheidy's shop at top of this page) are excellent and great for large systems. eg. Fayes system viewtopic.php?f=18&t=1622