Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I spent hours last night going through AM's system development and was rather impressed, both by how it came together and by how much collective, education, experience and knowledge there is on this board.

While reading and looking at the pics I decided an IBC dug into the ground for my system makes perfect sense as it will help equalize water temps when the outside ambient goes HOT in summer and cold in the winter here in Texas.

For the Americans on this board, anybody currently using an IBC and are they known by the same thing here in the states? I have a local supplier here in my area and I think he gets $200 bucks for them.

For everyone, I noticed the ones in the pics from AM's school kids project look like they are double walled with at least a few inches of void space between the inner and outer wall. Is this so or am I seeing things wrong? Are they all made this way? The ones I have seen in my locale don't look to have this feature, they appear to be a single thin wall design but are enclosed in a wire frame.

Next question, what chemicals are ok to have been held in them. I mean what can be successfully washed out so the fishes are safe?

Last, generally, how many gallons do they hold..............errr uhh liters if you speak the Queens English? I'll convert. Man I need to learn the metric system!

This forum rocks.

From way down under the continental U.S.

TX

TX if I'm not mistaken all are single walled. If there is any road/highway construction around you check out the area. They are often used for various stuffs and you may be able to get a few freebies as I think the crews pretty much discard them anyway. Good luck! $200 is a bit steep for used, scrounge around a bit save your coin for PVC.

Oh, I forgot to ask, generally, what are the dimensions of these tanks?

TX

Hi TX,

They can vary a little. Some are 4' square in section (1200mm x 1200mm) and others will be slightly oblong. They usually hold about 1000 litres.

Gary

Hi TXPower ibc are all the same a plastic box 1m 1m 1m 1000 litre in a metal cage the space down the sides are only the thickses of the clading material remember these are not uv stabelised you will have to paint or cover in some way, the best ones to use are ones that have had food stuff or acid is easy to clean Remember when you bury the cage needs to be shored up to stop bulging see peace students thread to see what i have done see up and running in members thread A beter view is in the thread [ Next stage]

Hi Tex, They are also called totes. They use them in the dairy business a lot. All the ones I have seen in the wild have been on dairy farms.

Sometimes called "schutz" as well or Schutz Totes

Hi-jacking the thread for a moment (excuse me)! Does anyone have the contacts of suppliers in Melbourne of IBCs?

Marcus don't buy them new ... you'll pay $250 >

Have a look around or as a last resort eBay... should be able to pick up one for about $100 - $150 max.

Someone else down your way might be able to point you toward something??

New Rubbermaid 300gal could be had for about $170.

http://www.stockyardsupply.com/page11/index2.html

Surely a Texan can find a stock tank...! :tongue3:

So they hold approximately 264 gallons?

What is a safe growbed to fishtank ratio for growing things such as lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers and maybe strawberries?

Thanks for all the answers.

TX

Good point Janet! Rubbermaid Rocks.
TX, The Standard Ratio is 2:1, fruiting plants will take up more nitrates.
How many fish do you plan on stocking?

I got mine at Tractor Supply Company. Cheap!

Janet, that 625 gal water trough sell for over $600 in Bris

Personally I like these IBC's - they are easily moved about and you can create a system with a footprint of 1m square!
At most a person should never pay more than $150!