Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Im thinking of buying this kiddie pool to use as my grow bed
http://www.brandsonsale.com/itx-56453.h ... rce=google
Its 8 ft in diameter, 18" deep and 656 gallons. Instead of being one of those hard plastic ones its supposed to come folded up and then snap into place when you fill it with water. Some of the reviews say that the sides eventually fold in and the water spills down, but im hoping that the solid media in it will prevent this. Ive been looking around on here and it seems some people use the hard plastic kiddie pools as fish tanks but i haven't found any real information on using it as a grow bed. I was thinking of using two, 300 gallon stock tanks but that would add up to $300. Im not expecting the kiddie pool to last for a while but for $25 I think I will try it out (and if it doesn't work, my ducks could have it instead).
So was does this sounds all right to use as a grow bed or if I should be looking into something else?

wouldnt risk it, im guessing youll be using a gravel, not hyrdoton, as your grow media, so the weight would probably destroy it

I was going to use 3/4 gravel and then have the top layer be hydroton. If I did go with the kiddie pool I would be sure to line the inside walls with something to protect it from the gravel. I was also planning on putting a bell siphon through it.

No, no and no again.

No, it will not be strong enough

lol, i dont think you will get 1/2 way up before the sides buckle .....

Yeah definitely not..... Good for keeping crawfish or growing duckweed though...

Isn't the water heavier than the rocks? Or very close? I would think u're biggest worry would be the rock ripping the bottom up. U'd need something pretty good under it. Needs to hold a good 2 or 3 tons

No - the water is not heavier than the rocks - the sheer weightwill destroy the sides of that dinky little pool.

There is a reason why its called a kiddy pool

1+ ton of gravel isnt really in the weight range of a few kiddies

forget it!!!

I reckon Delilah might have got the point ...Impatience is usually a real killer with this game and getting a sub-standard grow bed or fish tank for that matter is only going to cause troubles later on.....scout around and have a good look in your area for barrels, IBC's etc that will last a fair while