Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Am trying to come up with a way to insulate my IBCs which are outside.. I wasn't really thinking when I painted them black with summer coming on..

One thought I had was to get hold of some carpet underlay, the rubber 'airweave' kind rather than the foam stuff, and wrap that around in 15cm or so strips between the horizontal bars on the IBC cage, then wrap that with that hydroponic plastic that's black on one side and white on the other, so it can be rotated white for summer and black for winter.. all held on with zip ties of course..

Wondering if anyone has tried anything similar or knows anything about the qualities of that airweave underlay outdoors and/or around water, or whether that black/white plastic is UV stable?

Or any other suggestions?

Amph..

I also have IBCs outside and will prob need to insulate. I was thinking maybe temporarily attach standard styrofoam or fiberglass insulation, then wrap the whole thing w/ several layers of that thin pull-tight plastic that you buy in rolls and use to hold things on pallets. Would be darn ugly, but seems like it would work. Then maybe paint, so the plastic doesn't break down in the sun as quickly? I don't know.

Did you download the IBC of aquaponics? Check out Ian's system using insulated cool room panels..
http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/compo ... onics.html

He also has a thread on the forum, but I have the link handy for the IBC manual...

Yes I'd seen that, a little elaborate and way out of my budget.. at least I think it is, I havn't been able to find any sort of similar product locally..

Fibreglass type insulation i'd ruled out because of it getting wet, and polystyrene i'd consider if i can find it at a decent price.. would cost me more than the IBC did based on what I paid for the small peice I got at clark rubber..

I've been asking around about polystyrene insulation sheets or that silverboard or whatever they call it, either for the IBC or to use for floating rafts.. but havn't had any luck.. maybe i'm looking in the wrong places..

Amph..

I used Annexe Panel "offcuts" as insulation around my fish tank - came from an Annexe Builder - the company threw the "offcuts" into the industrial waste bin outside there warehouse. (Just like "cool room" panels - 50mm thick polystyrene with aluminium outer skin and ply inner). Regards - ColinW

I used duvet batting material from a foam supply place and then clad the ibc with free recycled wood. It was cheap to do. The batting can take the form around the frame of the ibc. I used self drilling type screws to attach some vertical pieces of timber to the sides of the ibc and then wired the batting in place in between and then nailed the timber cladding to the timber up-rights.

I have some of that batting from when I was looking for possible filter materials.. like the fibreglass insulation, i hadn't considered it because it'd constantly get wet, at least around the top with slashing etc.. how did yours go with that after a while?

Wood is a bit scarce around here too, being a termite town, everything is made from corrugated iron and colorbond.. pallets and such get snapped up before they hit the ground by ppl with wood fireplaces etc.. is like a scene out of mad max.. I guess i could break out the old bike leathers and join the fray.. I've avoided treated wood for the lid but should be ok for the sides..

Annexe panels I hadn't considered.. I'll have to check the nearby caravan parks and find out who makes annexes around here..

Amph..