Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Is there any timber that will not leech chemicals into the water?

I need to make a wooden frame for some GB and they will be ontop of the FT. So when it rains water will hit the timber and into the FT.

Any untreated timber will be ok although you will need to seal it with paint or whatever

Any suggestions? Wouldnt paint leech too?

Use steel where its above the fish tank.....

Doesnt steel rust?

Use galvanised steel. That is what BYAP use for their stands.

Not if it's going to drain into the fishtank - zinc is pretty toxic to fish and even more so to crustaceans !

Galvanised mesh tank cover should be fine. I have used them for 2 years. Fish were not affected.

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OK, that's good to know.

Would using galvanised steel and then applying a paint over it be safest?

red gum sleepers

Hardwood; you can usually get it pretty cheap from timber recycling yards (old house frames).

It is a bugger to work with because it is so hard to drill and nail etc but it is safe, extremely hard wearing and weather resistant

Only if they are brand new. Recycled railway sleepers are a nono. Ever wonder why you dont see many weeds growing on railway lines?

Recycled timber is a good suggestion.

Others are californian redwood, native cypress pine (black or white) monterey cypress. All are rot resistant. The cypress pine are available in most hardwares. The monterey is all over the place as trees and available from small millers ie portable millers, specialty millers. It is light very easy to work and is resin free. In the states it is the timber of choice for outside timber. Ie decks furniture and such it has also been recently been recognised as a fire resistant timber. It used to be used to make greenhouses before everyone went to steel.

The californian redwood option is more for our american friends as it is hard to come by over here but it just so happens I have a stash

And where would you find a decent small millers ie portable millers, specialty millers.

Western Red Cedar is cheaper than redwood and is another good option for in the US but avoid breathing the dust while cutting it since it is a sensitizing agent and may cause allergies.