Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi All,
So I have the necessary approval from the Mrs Planning Minister and we are good to go for a small back courtyard system.

I am considering an IBC which I can buy for approx A$150 but am not sure if the size will be a problem getting it into my apartment complex. Are they heavy? Could I lugg across a 6' fence with an extra set of hands? I cannot cut it up before delivery either.

I am also considering a smaller system using plastic construction skips with horse feed troughs as GB hanging over the side (inside or out?) Obviously this will be a smaller system and drainage could be simpler than an IBC?
- Skip = 1000x1000x700h
- Troughs = 400x350x250h

Is there anything that throws up a red flag on a construction skip and plastic tubs hung over? I feel like it could be a good simple build.

Here is some information for you. Passing it over a fence is not going to be an easy one. I recommend more than two young man should help to pass it over the fence. Maybe two on each side. As you see the lightest one is 86 Kilograms.

Code: BB2 - Bund Pallet
Volume: 1140 Litres
Dimensions: 2560 x 1350 x 430mm
Weight: 136Kg
Composition: Chloroprene


Code: BB2T - Dispensing Tray for BBS
Volume: 86 Litres
Dimensions: 550 x 545 x x 855mm
Composition: Chloroprene



Code: BB2C - Bund Pallet with Frame & Cover
Volume: 1140 Litres
Dimensions: 2560 x 1350 x 2210mm
Weight: 156Kg net
Composition: Chloroprene


Code: BB1D - IBC Bund Pallet with Integral Dispenser
Volume: 1100 Litres
Dimensions: 1400 x 1950 x 720mm
Weight: 86Kg
Composition: Chloroprene

Thanks for the info Zubin.

This is the supplier for the IBC that I have in Dubai, EcoSolutions IBC Supplier

His dimensions are:
Width - 1000mm
Depth - 1200mm
Height - 1150mm
Weight - 60kg

Is he being genuine with the 60kg? I am big guy and I reckon with one other mate, we could lift it over the fence.

I tossed two IBCs over my 6 foot fence alone. I recommend removing the pallet and cage and toss the bladder and cage over in two steps. The pallet can fit through doorways when it is alone. You will need to dismantle the IBC anyway so it is no big deal. The pallet is the heaviest part, so not tossing that part over the fence is a good thing.

Aha! so the bottom pallet separates from the top cage?
If so, then best bit of news I heard all day

Yea I think about 8 - 12 screws and it will come apart

It was 14 screws in all, and once it was sepertaed into parts then I just lifted the cage over the fence slowly. Next I threw the plastic container over, and made sure it landed softly into the cage, then walked through the house with the remaining pallet bottom.

Thanks for the tips so far.

Now I have the component parts in my backyard awaiting a quick trip to our local Chinese Hypermarket to buy all the bits and pieces.

They have Chinese übermercados in Dubai too I thought it was an American thing...
Glad to read that you have your IBC. Hope to see come pictures soon!


Yes, I combined German and Spanish into one word. That's right, that just happened.

I had to think there for a second what an ubermercato meant, as there is an italian mall here named Mercato Mall, it has just struck me that it means Market?

This is our local wackymart called DragonMart, and guess what, its in the shape of a dragon
http://www.dragonmart.ae/

That dragon mall looks cool! Architecture in the Emerates is so much more creative than in the US. Nobody builds interesting structures here unless it is in a roadside attraction or Vegas casino.

All systems go, go go!

I pulled out the old angle grinder today and took apart the IBC, set it up on some conc blocks samples. Next step is plumbing the whole thing, but one thing at a time hey?

looking good so far

Some quick pics of the plumbing so far. Water is in.

I have no idea how to plumb the drain on the GB, at the moment it is just a straight outlet through the bladder top but that is also the high point of the GB, so I am worried about leaving permanently waterlogged areas my medium. Will this affect the plants?
If I place a siphon off to one side (low) then I still leave one side as low?

I will leave the siphon until Tuesday when I can get delivery of the clay pebbles.

I have also sourced some local seaweed extract so I can use this to cycle hopefully.

Do not worry about the low spots. Water is always going to be present anyway. In fact, if your media dried out you would have issues.

So I it seems I am up and cycling!

I have put in a half cup of Brown seaweed extract to get it started. I also forgot to wash the clay before putting into the GB, but I think I'll just try and filter the dust/grit out somehow as it circulates.

I used the IBC top bars to act as barrier to stop my son getting in, but as you can see from the photo he thinks its fun to put daddys tools in with the fishies, hmmm