Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Starting to plan my system expansion. A mate has given me a few IBC's which I pick up next weekend. Nice!
I have a food grade 44 gal drum which I picked up for a project a while ago and never used. I think it held banana pulp for a bakery that made muffins. I am wondering if it would be ok to make a filter (radial, swirl, something) using that drum. Anyone see any reason why not?
Thanks heaps.

If it's 304 stainless it will be fine, try holding a magnet to the side of it and if it sticks it's not stainless and will be no good.

The drum will, more than likely, be some alloy of mild steel and as such is not a good idea.

Because aquaponics tends towards acidic water conditions the steel will be slowly eaten by the acidic water and so will be leaching toxins harmful to fish and if fish are consumed passed up the food chain. That is why plastic drums when they are readily available are widely used in preference to steel.

If you do use the drum with it being exposed to the system water you will need to coat any system water exposed surface with some form of coating. Some suggestions would be pond safe paint, epoxy paint etc:

My personal preference is for a bitumen type product you brush it on it sticks like the proverbial and is about as water proof as you can get. These products usually have fast curing times and go quite viscous/semi solid when used for cold water applications.

You will have to do your own due diligence to ensure safety for you and your fish but there are products available that are safe to use even in drinking water tanks.

Hope this helps.

Charlie, telonline, thanks for the advice.
The drum will sit and wait for a non AP project.
I'll get hold of a plastic drum.
Cheers.