Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi everyone. Just a short introduction - my husband and I are complete begginners at this but are embracing the notion of having our first aquaponics system up and running soon. We live on 25 acres in Gippsland, Victoria and have dappled in hobby farming in the past providing great amusement to our friends and family.

We are currently in the research phase and just trying to read as much as possible (and trying to understand it!) It does seem quite complicated, however love the concept and we are up for the challenge.

We were looking at starting out with an IBC, however today looked at one of the large old tractor tyres we have, which is quite high and thought this might work as a fish pond if we put a pond liner in it. Has anyone got any thoughts on this. It is round, dark, more insulating than an IBC and if we got a food grade safe liner, we think this might work. My husband can then make some grow beds on an old solid table we have.

Just trying to use some of the stuff we have collected over the years, to make it more economical.

Many thanks

Welcome Greenaqua and co. A truck tyre is a great idea. I had thought about that once and would love to see you do it. Recycling makes so much sense. Look forward to seeing your progress photos

Many thanks Faye for response - was talking to my girlfriend today re this, she thinks the fish might get too hot come summer. What do you think?

Welcome greenaqua

Ive seen a system on here using large truck tyres but Im struggling to find it sorry. I remember the tyres where in a greenhouse but thats about it.

Ill keep searching..

Hi Greenaqua, a couple of considerations might be to work out what the water volume is, what sort of fish you are talking about and whether the system is in a greenhouse or in full sun. I know that I could grow goldfish in the volume of water that I would have if I was using a truck tyre, just as I do in my still ponds, which are not all that big. The bigger the water volume the better.
You could also dig down in to the ground below the tyre and drop a liner in to that which would increase the holding volume and greater depth. Choose your fish dependant on the water temperature and the volume of water.

Thanks Charlie, found it! Did a google search on aquaponics and tyres and it came straight up. Funny would never have thought of doing the search until you mentioned it.

Many thanks

WOW, I need to use that google search too! Came up top of the list, gee, I spent hours looking for that ha ha.

Yep, thats it. Tassdog stopped in very breifly back in 2012 and we never heard of him again... which is pretty common. Cool stuff that he has done and worth a look and hopefully give you some ideas.


For everyone else..
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=11528&hilit=shadehouse

Welcome greenaqua.

You both beat me to suggesting that thread