Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I have a hard copy list that I carry around and have it on electronic copy as well.
Wanted
Tanks, barrels, buckets – any size and type
PVC pipe – any size, length, type, or color
PVC pipe fittings – any size and type
Air pumps – any size, style, or type
Water pumps – any size, style, or type
Nets and netting
Mesh, nylon or wire
Rubber roofing membrane
Heaters/blowers, large fans
Anything stainless steel

And my name, phone, email at the bottom
It's amazing what you can get when you just ask.

Now, if i just had time to put it all together
Mr Bill

More stuff behind this and over in the shop.

of course, nowhere near what F&F has. viewtopic.php?f=18&t=663
This guy can write the book on scrounging. Much, much envy. Took months of hit and miss to read through all his 135 !!! page thread. But, heck, I'm just starting...

Then on a job a few years ago and scored 15 - 20' long 4" PVC pipes. Thin wall. Used a few here and there for drainage pipes and such. The rest sat in the woods waiting on my brain to cook something up.
I hit on Synaptomans website and there it was. http://synaptoman.wordpress.com/2008/08 ... /#comments
Strawberry towers!!!

So I made my own jig and came up with my own style of towers.

Most of the parts for the jig came in three big trash cans full of plumbing parts. Got a whole truck load of plumbing stuff for around 50 bucks. Yeah, not free, but close. Had to be about $600 worth of stuff in there. Still haven't used it all. But I digress.
Thanks Synaptoman. Good blog you have there.

Great scores, and I love the jig.

Yep, real good idea

Travel alot hence eat out alot. Waitress/server comes around and I ask them if they have any buckets they are fixin to throw out. Scored quite a few buckets and some 30 gallon barrels this way. Citric acid barrels, pickle buckets, butter buckets... Scrub, scrub, scrub. Leave them out in the rain, let algea grow in them. Once this happens, i know they are good enough to be used in AP system.

I need a bigger truck.

Picked up more free stuff. 4 - 100 gallon stock tanks, 1 - 150 gallon stock tank, an IBC tank and 4 white barrels. May have to repair a couple of cracks in two of the tanks, but the rest of the stuff looks to be in good shape.
Then as an added bonus, 4 sump pumps, one of which works but keep the others for spare parts or something. Can't beat the price, eh?
Just a phone call.
Took three trips with the pickup truck, so only gas money and time.

Talking to a farmer down the road who also owns a convenient store. Talking about this AP GH I have going on in my yard. She is interested in the system and wants to see it when it's finished and cycling. She gave me some tips on finding free stuff around the area and who might have what. Cool, I have a starting on a network of people, eh?

Mentioning the greenhouse, she said she just gave away a greenhouse to her sister a couple of states away. NOOoooooo. I almost cried. "Please don't do that again" I said. "Call me first. It may take a little bit for me to get it taken down, but I sure don't want things like that to slip away again."

Then the neighbor called asking if I was still looking for blue barrels. Said he had 6 sitting on the back dock he was looking to get rid of. I showed up and there were actually 10. Rolled them into the truck, strapped them in and with the tailgate down, slowly drove home.

Just ask, eventually the word will get around that you are looking for certain things. People will call and you will eventually hit pay dirt.

Good luck.

Good score Bill...

Missed one, got one. It's the way it goes. Hope to pare down the odds somewhat with the "network". Just have to get off my duff and out of my introvertedness.

Sounds like the tipping point has been reached, it's self-sustaining!

So, picked up a few 15 gallon containers that were used in the commercial laundry industry. Sodium Hydroxide and Potassium Hydroxide. Can they be washed out and used in an AP system?

"...Never administer anything to an unconscious person or one having convulsions..."

Now that's a pleasant thought.

How about if I scrub really hard?