Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi Everyone.

What a great site! I have been interested in aquaponics for about 12 months when I stumbled across a video on youtube. I have done a fair bit of reading and decided it was a little to expensive (silly I know). Fast forward to now I saw somebody post their system on another forum and it rekindled my interest which of course lead to more research.

So that brings me to today. I set out on my mission to start an IBC based system its got a long way to go but Ive started all the same. Im a bit of a bargain hunter so I made some phone calls and found some IBC's. Hired a trailer and went to pick them up. Going back to the bargain bit.. I found 1 trip old IBC's that contained food grade glycerol for 50 bucks each. Thanks very much I will take 2. They look new and just need a good hose out.

Also did some scrounging around the local industrial area and found some old 44 gallon drums that will be perfect to make grow bed stands out of.

Im sure its not going to be the prettiest system but its going to be cheap and hopefully work well!

I look forward to posting pics and learning more as time goes on.

Scottie, good luck building your system and it doesn't matter what it looks like, as long as it works

Welcome to AP world,
This is such a great site, everyone is really helpful and full of info.
If you havnt been to the BYAP shop go and check it out. Great for inspiration, help and products.
And um, where did you get those IBCs, do they have anymore, I am in the market for one or maybe two at that price.
Looking forward to seeing you pics.
always post your ideas before doing as other are sure to have been there, especially with the IBC as they such a popular vessel.
Good luck.

Did some trimming today. Should have about 800L growbed capacity and 1100 L of water will hopefully have some pics tomorrow.

Goo dwork ScottieM,
I find it quite satisfying turning industrial waste into an aquaponics system!
Ben

Made abit of progress today.

Sourced 4 more drums for stands, Cut my IBC's down. Purchased Plumbing.

Its almost looking Aquaponicsy at the moment.

time for another pit stop.. Its abit warm out there today!

Pump Plumbed up


Some tank Plumbing


Almost ready for media!

Getting there Scottie

So I filled it up with water and gave it a bash to get some timings. A dry run so to speak..




Took 12 minutes to reach my overflow. Drained the tank with the pump in it down to about 200L and the one without the pump down to about 350L. I imagine this will reduce once the media is in. the only thing I think may be an issue as I seem to be pumping faster than the overflow can handle. Hopefully this will change once I put the spray bars in the grow beds as it will slow the flow down abit. will do some more testing once Ive got some media in there.

Nice looking little system. Just a quick question about the pump, where did you grab it from and how much was it? I am looking for something similar myself.
Cheers

its just a cheapy from bunnings. Will do the job until I find something better and then it will make a good spare.

Looking good Scottie! Only just this afternoon was I trying to talk a mate into an IBC setup - just like yours - so that he could cut his teeth in AP on something cheap.

A couple of questions though -

The position you have your GB's in - are they staying there? In the pics, they kinda look like they are under a pergola? If so, has it got translucent sheeting? The sun is your friend - in moderation! I also like the idea of supporting the GB's on 44 gallon drums - very clever!

Secondly - your pump. Those dirty water pumps are VERY expensive to run. You do mention that you are looking at getting another pump soon - sounds like a good plan. There is plenty of discussion on pumps in the inner sanctums of the forums. Laguna pond pumps have a pretty good rep - and can be found online cheap cheap ...

What sort of media are you planning on using?

I look forward to seeing the rest of the system unfurl!


BTx

Very nice a d tidy ibc system keep up the good work!!

BlueThumb

Its not under cover its on the edge of the patio should get plenty of sun and also get abit of shade for things that require partial shade.

I got on the Western Power website and did some calculations. At max draw it would use about 150 dollars of power a year running 6 hours a day (15 on 45 off)

So it doesnt seem that power hungry?

Heya Mate -

What wattage is that bad-boy pump you have?

For instance - if you run a 60W pond pump (as opposed to an industrial sump pump), for the same time (6 hours a day), you'd be looking at less than $20 P.A. to run. That'll give you the option of running some air or a heater over winter - and bringing your budget in under the current expenditure.

In fact, if you were to buy - say a decent quality 4000LPH 60W pump for $150, it would just about pay for itself in 12-15 months in power savings alone!

I'm just lookin' at it from the budget/green footprint angle, as AP crew love hugging trees, saving whales, damning dams, sponsoring the Sea Shepard and - saving money!

Food for thought anyways ...

Where NoR in Perth are you??