Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

am busy planning my system but am having difficulty in finding anyone that can supply large deep grow beds like the ones that feature in so many australian systems on this site. Can anyone recommend a UK supplier?

Thanks
Graeme

Hi Graeme
Welcome to the forum from another in the UK

What about using IBC containers cut in half for your grow beds

aman

I'm in the UK too and am in a similar situation.

My planned system needs 2 GB's (ideal dimensions 2.5m x 1.3m x .4m). I've taken many a long look around the web at everything from stock tanks, loft water tanks, rainwater butts and even dog baths, and none of them are really suitable and all the prices are sky high anyway.

I'm just going ahead and building my own GB's out of 3x3 timber and composite board (inspired by this). It'll be at lot of work, but much cheaper and the end result will be exactly to spec, not a compromise.

Some people have had a lot of luck out of blue water barrels, so long as you get them without nasty chemicals inside. These are often really cheap and easy to work with. They seem to usually go around 20 though i've found a few sources as low as $5 or $8 (craigslist).

275 Gallon or 1000 liter IBC totes can also sometimes be found, and these are perfect so long as you cover them to protect them from UV.

Simple answer: Build 'em.

2"x2" wood can be used to make the overall frame work then use cheap plywood to make the sides and bottom. Use a reasonable pond liner to line your growbeds. There are many benefits to building your own. A. It's usually cheaper, unless you manage to get your hands on a cheap lot of tubs. B. You can make the beds to your own dimensions and configurations without having to "fit it all in." and C. you get the satisfaction.

OK Point C is a little contrived, but seriously, it's very easy to get recycled wood suitable for building the framework. It works out a lot cheaper in the long run.

Agreed that's a great way to make the growbeds. However, make sure that the wood is termite safe. TCL has had problems with the growbeds that she made out of wood and pond liner (and she used really good pond liner) and she's had to get rid of all/most of them. She used totally untreated wood though.

There's no danger of termites in the UK as far as I know - they aren't native and the only known colony is in Devon and emerged out of an imported tropical plant. We do have woodworm and some beetles that like to chew though, and they can be a danger down south. I think my beds are entirely safe up here though.