Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Good day all.

My names Vincent and I'm just starting to get into aquaponics.

This morning I took delivery of 5 used IBC's in good condition. They still have the seal on the little tap section on the bottom of the IBC, and they seem to be single use only. I will get started on cleaning them up tomorrow by taken them apart, cutting them up into beds, sump and tank. I then plan to degrease them, rinse, scrub, degrease again, rinse etc until I feel they are clean enough.

I'm really looking forward to what information I can learn on here.

Cheers
Vin

Don't forget that the first step is to take photos Vman Welcome to the forum and we look forward to sharing your fun too. Have you seen the IBC of Aquaponics? Just in case you haven't it might give you a bit more of a heads up. Happy reading http://ibcofaquaponics.com/

Do you know what was in them, that word Degrease rings bells. Hope everything goes well.

Some sort of oil possibly two stroke oil and transmission oil. Hopefully a solid clean regime will fix any issues.

Will take pics before I get stuck in

thats gonna be a lot of cleaning man

Welcome Vincent, good luck with the cleaning

Once you have cut the IBC Vincent, a little detergent and hot water with a scourer makes short work of the first clean. Follwed by a bleach solution and a final rinse before leaving in the sun for a few days. We did it for the shop system, no problems and the fish were fine.

Forgot to mention that ours contained clean motor oil.

Welcome Vman

Thanks for the comments guys.

NBS82, noticed your in Cragieburn, just down the road from me

Faye, its good to hear that others started off with a similar "problem". I have confidence that my cleaning will do the trick. I will take pics and keep this updated with progress.

two of my growbeds i have just cut up have a really sticky residue in them. i cleaned then a fair bit and gave them a spray of degreaser yesterday and they have come up a treat.

We've had a few different contents in the beds and tanks from glycerine to glues and some with soap used in shampoo (i think one of dad's may have had foundation in it too, yes the make up), the joys of getting freebies from my father-in-laws work (they make makeup, shampoo, sunscreen etc)

Just picked up 600L of expanded clay media woohoo

Hi Vman and welcome
What brand of clay ?

Hi Mantis

I picked up some Growlush expanded clay from a place around the corner from my work. At first I went there because the website said Hyrdoton. He ended having two other different brands, of which I picked the local product, Growlush.

I was a little disapointed when I got home and then found it online for literally half price, but hard lesson learned.

Growlush seems ok, its a little dark, much darker than I expected.

Havent heard of that brand and didn't know any clay was made in Australia. Anyhow I hope it is ok and doesn't float