Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi i was just wondering if those pools with the inflatable top ring would be alright for the for the fish tank in a AP system with blue barrels for the growbeds?

We have had people use them before, even Earth Bound STARTED out with an old pool similar to what you describe...
It all depends on how permanent you are makeing your system and what you will be stocking inside your pond/pool too... If you decide to go the way of the inflatible ring pool, you migh want to build a protective wall or barrier around the outside as to limit the chance of accidents from outside.
One more thing to consider, : is the plastic the pool is made from safe (does it leech chemicals into the water over time)? remember, you eventually eat the fish (in most cases), so what goes into the fish goes into you too

some have used them, but they do tend to leak. Maybe as a temp set up if you already have one?

you can use the pump though!

the dorsal spines on most fish would puncture wouldnt they? That's why i never went with them.

that you can - I still have my pool pump in storage as a backup


In theory - but I am still to hear from someone who has had leaks due to this - but its a valid concern none the less

I have had bagged fish puncture their bag. Not fatally, but enough to notice.

me too, as well as fish from the pet store - but pools toend to be a lot tougher due to the nature of their creation/purpose...

I think it would be hard for the fish to penetrate as the rubber wall is quite thick. The only reason i'm looking in to these pool is the price 366x76cm holds 5,377 litres of water for $99.95 and $9.95 for delivery so its $109.90 with a pump delivered.

I bought one this time last year, for the kiddies not the fishies. Set it up last week for it's second summer of glory,and the blow-up bit leaks and deflates within a day, and there are three little fountains of water coming out the side. Duck tape not happening for me, it's bin time. The pump is pretty weak, and I think it would struggle to push against a head, and certainly wouldn't move 5377L of water in any timely fashion.
If I remember correct Joel's first pond in one of these also lost it's air retention, which he tried to fix by putting holes in it and filling with foam in a can stuff. You can guess how well that went

I won't mince words, if you're talking about the inflatable pools that every one (and me) bought last cristmas for under $100 then forget about the pump, they are SHITE. Mine didn't even last the season as a pool filter, and that was at zero head But use the pool, by all means i'm thinking of using last years as a temorary second tank.

I am not sure where my pump (pool one) originally came from, I bought it at the Life Line store...
It worked very well for me, in fact it ran my entire first AP system right up to the day I replaced it after changeing my setup into what I have now...

i meant the shitty plastic ones that come with the $100 pools. If yours is one of these then maybe it was just mine that was crap

mine is about 3 or 4 years old...

they don't make them like they used to LOL