Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Just wondering if there are any good alternatives to IBC's? The reason I ask is because I have been looking constantly for them and cannot seem to find any food grade ones anywhere near me. Most were used for the oilfield service around here.

So I am starting to think that I might have to come up with some sort of alternative. I have looked at troughs but they are out of my price range for one that holds 300 gallons. I also looked at some poly tanks locally and they were close to $600 for one in the 300 gallon range. Yippee for the weak and dying US dollar.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Greebe

I can be worth calling golf courses, sports ovals etc, as they often seem to have seasol IBCs they might want to get rid of. Otherwise you could just dig a hole and line with black plastic...

I thought about building a heavy timber enclosure and lining it with plastic. However I have no idea where I would find food safe plastic to use. My wife and I already have a 750 sq ft. garden for the fact that we try to avoid chemicals and such, and I know most plastics leach out bad stuff.

Thanks
Greebe

I have actually found one 1550 gallon tank (5,867.38827 liters) that I might be able to get relatively cheap. However it is 7.5ft wide and 5.5ft tall. I was hoping to get my set up into a 6ft x 16ft greenhouse. I suppose I could put the tank outside the greenhouse but having it inside would keep it warmer at night.

Greebe

BTW. What is a Seasol?

I assume he's referring to a brand of liquid seaweed that's often used in AP systems.

yea its a seaweed extract used for trace elements in AP.

plenty of people on this forum have used "non food grade" IBCs
I think if you put a bit of extra effort into cleaning the IBCs that contained oil you can make it clean. Clean it out with detergent a few times, leave in the sun, fill with water and when it grows lots of algae you know it will grow plants etc.
Many types of fungi break down mineral based hydrocarbons... so clean it well then let nature finish the job

Other alternatives stock tanks, pond liner as mentioned. It's helpful to think of gallons per dollars when considering any container. I don't consider any conainer that costs greater than $1 per gallon and some things like pond liner are much better than that as a ratio. The Rubbermaid 300 gallon stock tank is like $250 for 300 gallons. Tractor Supply has large round stock tanks with a good ratio as well, the big round blue ones in particular. You don't have to use IBCs, there are many alternatives, it's just that those have a good capacity and are conveniently shaped etc. HTH

I'm currently looking into doing a system myself, and I had considered doing a pond at first.
I think a pond liner would be your cheapest bet, if you can't do IBC. 10'x15' 45mil EPDM liner runs $50-$60. Make sure you get underlayment too, so your wood structure, or rocks if you dig it out, don't puncture the liner.
that being said, the rubbermaid stock tank would probably be the easiest to set up. Maybe you can find a used one?

Hey Greebe,

not sure if this helps but in Oz we call them Nally bins,
http://www.plasticsandstorage.com.au/MS7800.jpg
and there is a guy here somewhere that has a tidy system using them.

there are two kinds, vented and non-vented.
http://bmhe.com.au/products/plastic-sto ... allet_bins

you might be able to get them or an equivalent over there??

Porter

bathtubs, pools , spas

and boats apparently

what you reakon a couple of old tinnies side by side??
Love it!! should mention that to my dad, he has a couple laying about!!

This one is fibreglass I think, havent heard of any ali ones being used in AP, but i cant hep thinking there must be a better use for a boat... like boating!


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