Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Just found a place local in Geelong that sells IBC's... $350 for New and $230 for Second-Hand. Only had Oils in it, IE: cooking Oils. As soon as I said Aquaponics they responded "ah yes, no toxic chemicals stored in these so you'll be safe"

$230 for a Secondhand IBC good ?

Well I am not sure about the prices in Geelong, but in metro Perth, second hand is between $100-$150... $230 could be a bit high...

Hurm - I'll keep looking. I found a few other places that apparently sell IBCs so I'll ask around.
Either way IBC will be my next step up from parents initial tester system of Bathtub + BBQ... but reading a few places I might want to line it for insulation...

Would getting that pond safe paint products suffice ? If I get that and painted the inside of the bath?

IBC's seem a bit high Vic, but no need to paint the bath if it is still enameled, I didn't paint mine, I can't see any problems with the weber either if it is still coated, as you will have gold fish you should be ok, pretty hard to kill a gold fish they live in almost anything anyhow, our goldies have lived in a bathtub with a small stainless sink GB for over 2 years now

TY for the Info Nocky.

Couple more questions:

What's a good suggestion for backup power should the mains go out?

Spare car battery or two? How would I go about keeping these charged suitably?
Or perhaps those inline batteries that are used in emergency downlight setups.

My dad's fully qualified electrician so whatever setup is needed he can do it... just what's the most "recommended" system?

Outside that I'm ready to go with my first test system, cleaning out the old fishpond this weekend and setting it up.

Also, I've seen mention of food settling on the bottom and as a result going bad and killing fish... I don't really see that big an issue, I mean the Goldfish in the current fish pond (2 left) have been going strong without any feeding for 2 years now... lots of plant matter for them to feed on

Also, what's a good hardy bottom feeder?

Depends on how many outages you have Vic, if your goldies have lived for 2 years now I wouldn't worry so much, it isn't critical to pump water continuously, most power outs only last a few hours, the main problem is air but again goldies seem to do without for a while, best would be to get a cheaper dc air pump and some rechargables and whack it in when power is out, if you go bigger and go with Trout or Perch then you need to worry about backup but again air is the main thing to worry about
Gold fish are generally fed flakes and eat them before they sink, with trout etc they sometimes go off food and it sinks after a while, never seen a goldie not eat, a good bottom feeder would be yabbie for you, but only a couple

There were 6 goldies originally, but then there was 1/4 of the plant populace that's in it now >.<

In setting it up for aquaponics though we'd need to clean that plant matter out and start fresh? Or would it be ok to simply clear it out enough and put a pump in that has filters or such around it to stop any of that getting into the pump and blocking it up and then pumping that out?

Either way is fine and I'm thinking, clearin it out and starting fresh might be the best way to go...

Found someone that does them for $120, all they've ever had in them is Silicon Oil.
Now to organise a pickup

Have a look at gumtree.com.au. $100 each.

i just found some in ohio, 50 bucks for 275 or 330 gallon.. now how do i get an ok from the mrs? (found that on craigslist)

does anyone use those pre-formed ponds that they sell in the "big box" stores? i've seen lots of those used, and cheap

i found a 55 gallon glass fish tank this weekend at a yard sale for 50 bucks, i need that for in the house over the winter... (they can get pretty fierce around here), also picked up another air pump, couple of nets, some airstones and tubing for 2 bucks..

In Geelong :I have a few used IBC containers for sale; ex-Food grade, all washed will probably need another wash and ph testing for fish. $180 each, booking fee of $50 to paypal gmenator@gmail.com. Available in 1 or 2 weeks. If you help with the unloading, you take your pick and it will be $150 each, booking fee plus cash. If you want I can do EFT on my bank account for all or just the booking fee. Please PM your details if you want to talk on the phone:Geo

In Geelong :I have a few used IBC containers for sale; ex-Food grade, all washed will probably need another wash and ph testing for fish. $180 each, booking fee of $50 to paypal gmenator@gmail.com. Available in 1 or 2 weeks. If you help with the unloading, you take your pick and it will be $150 each, booking fee plus cash. If you want I can do EFT on my bank account for all or just the booking fee. Please PM your details if you want to talk on the phone:Geo