Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

So I've finally started.

Since I rent, I've had to do it at my mums house. I don't think she quite grasps the scale of it, but once it's in, she's not going to tell me to take it out.

So, since she doesn't really understand the extent of the damage I'm going to cause, I am going to try and minimise the footprint of the system. The tank will have to sit on the ground, but I'm going to put my growbed on a frame which sits over the top of a couple of the established bushes.

I'm going to try and fit a 1000L tank, and 6 grow beds into a 3x2 area. It's going to be interesting.

See the bushes? I'm going to trim them and have my grow beds sitting on a frame over the top. The tank will go down the back next to the telegraph pole. Work wise, I have to clear a space for the tank, and I have to level it out a little bit. The telegraph pole in the background has been marked for removal which has thrown me a little. They are supposed to come around sometime around the 8th Feb to replace it. If I level it and put my tank there, it's going to get in the way. Also, they may actually do a bit of levelling and clearing for me in order to get the pole out. Anybody know how they go about replacing the power line pole?

Next up is a couple of photos of the tank itself, its 1000L and was obtained from someones farm for $0. It has a plastic inner which is really great for insulation as it will have a layer of air between the inner and outer tank. If I fill it with some expanding foam or something I should get even better insulation.

The plastic used for the liner is old and brittle in some parts. I am currently using a non-toxic glue to do some patch work (using bits of off-cut from the top to patch it up). I'll then go around it with a silicon sealer. I looked at two today, but they both said "not recommended for aquariums" - what should I use?

Total cost thus far, $10 (for the angle grinder blades).

Well done Gemmell,
The silicone you should use is Glass/Aquarium sealer. If you ask at a hardware shop they should be able to direct you to some. It will be around the $6-8 mark.
The plastic liner of your tank is commonly known as an ibc around here. They do have a limited life span (ours needs replacing very soon too). The box around it will be great once it's foamed up.
Have fun with the growth of your system

aquarium silicone G,... looking at your pics if the inner liner is a bit brittle then I think the idea of filing the intermediate space with expanding foam might be a good idea.

(1) for the insulation factor
(2) to help keep the liner intact under the weight of the water when filled
(3) maybe help waterproof things if the liner was to crack

Big question of course is whether the expanding foam is safe... most poly sterene is but I don't know about the expanding stuff

Others will chime in to assist G, of that you can be sure

Hi Gemmell,

I hate to rain on your parade but I'm wondering what was in that IBC before it wound up on the farm.

Since IBC's are usually in a galvanised steel frame, I'm wondering if the reason yours came in a tin can was a bio-hazard security measure for something like herbicide or pesticide.

Does the container have any information on it which would suggest what the contents were?

Gary

I was wondering the same stuff GD... you MUST clean it out propperly, but knowing its past history would go a long way to preventing an unhappy outcome in the future

Wow, you guys replied quickly.



If that really is an IBC (International Bulk Container?), then I might be able to save myself some hassles. I'm getting two after the australia day weekend so I may be able to take that one out and replace it with another. The ones I'm getting should be in pretty good nick compared to this one. Do all IBC's have a drain in the bottom like this one? I thought they all had cages around them too. It doesn't matter, I was just going to fill the drain anyway.



Tis a good point. I don't know what was in it, and I believe when I asked the source what was in it he said "it was on the farm when we got there". If that is a IBC, then I may have already solved the problem above. I've verified that the ones I'm getting from Sydney had non-toxic food products in them.



Nothing written anywhere as far as I can see.

all the ibc's I've seen have a big tap on one side at the bottom. If you are getting other ones that are known to be clean, save yourself the hassle and bin the old one

I second that Jaymie!
Better safe than sorry, especially as this is for growing food
All IBC's have a tap of some description - and there are a number of designs out there too with slightly different cage configerations etc (I have 2 different kinds myself)... This is the first time I have seen one like yours on here

The IBCs I'm getting from Sydney contained honey and food colouring. So safe as houses. I should get them after the Australia day weekend.

Does anybody know where I can get blue barrels in and around Canberra?

Welcome, Gemmell!! Love the sledge hammer in your Avatar.

Another thought would be to line your Spam can with a tarp or pond liner. Then you can use all 3 IBCs. (and the system gets bigger!)

I'd really like to see it filled with some foam (even the stuff used as packing for boxes) The insulation properties would be outstanding!

just make sure to seal the top layer (maybe with that expanda-foam-in-a-can) so that you don't get water in there and loose the insulation properties.

Steve

Good point Janet... I would be tempted to line the inside with maybe an inch of polystyrene, glue some thin carpet on the sharp edges and line the whole thing with black pond plastic. You would easily gain 50 or so litres.

Your too quick Steve!! Yeah... What he said

I did think of that. I have two sheets of black pond liner left over from another pond, but there would be lots of work involved in sealing it and I'm not confident that I'll get a good seal. I think I'd rather go with the safe option of putting in another IBC

Yep, that IBC you've got, it is well past the use by date.

The faster you make pretty plants, the happier your Mum will be. Some herbs for her kitchen, maybe some flowers, you will be redeemed.

I love sledge hammers. Cracking some more concrete for greenhouse floor today -wear glasses!

Gemmell whats up? the plans sound ok too me and as for power line pole they will probably put in the new one first change over the wires then remove the old one so get them put it were you want it.