Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

In keeping with the norm for the site, I am starting this thread for my system from beginning to end.

I identified the location for my system. I started clearing tree's and brush (boy am I sore this morning). Next weekend I will start building the stands for the grow beds.

Does anyone have an opinion on this for a fish tank?

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/water-storage-tank-1000-gal?cm_vc=-10005

It is a 1000-gal water tank with a nice large screw-top opening and built-in fittings for plumbing.

It also comes in 550-gal and 1500-gal. The 1000-gal tank is $750.00 and the 550-gal is $450.00 . I am planning on supporting 4 - 4x8 grow beds initially with expansion potential and also incorporating a sump.

The grow beds will be using a bell-syphon configuration.

When I get some land or a house I thought about using one of those tanks I know someone on here has used one before I think those tanks are perfect as a fish tank

just be careful if your going to cut it in anyway as it might mess up the structure of the tank Idk if that opening is big enough for a fish net to get in the tank to harvest fish

I would cut a bigger opening on the top to be able to get in the fish tank and also to harvest fish easier

Also if they have it in a blue instead of a black I would get that just cause if you dont put that in some shade that tank and water is gunna get hot in our texas climate If they have it in white you can paint it whatever color you like

You could use that as a fish tank and than cut ibc tanks in half and use one half as a grow bed and the other half as a sump tank

Or you can use a bunch of 55 gallon barrels I would use the ibc tanks since you dont have to build stands and such

cant wait to see ya work with it good luck

and for the size I think you should stick with the 1000 gallon that way you can put catfish in it and they cna have some room as the 500 gallon one wont be as big and once you add on you allready have the big tank

end?

ha! there is no end to this madness

The madness never ends

How True

I have the white 1550 gallon tank like that. So far I am happy with it, mine is buried though.

The reason I am considering black is to ward of algae bloom. They do have them in white. I plan to add a water cooler for summer and a heater for winter (though we only have a limited number of seriously cold days).

The mouth of the opening should be large enough for a narrow net. I do plan to cut a couple small openings on opposite sites to install some sort of fish tank light. I opened one of those tanks up when I visited Tractor Supply and holy-moley is it dark in there.

I tend to like watching the fish. It's relaxing, though I figure it will take a good couple months to stabilize the water enough for fish due to the size of the tank.

Just finished clearing all the trees and vegetation in the location this system is going. Brother was that a serious workout. I did pretty well considering I am 50 and just had a quadruple bypass 5 months ago. Now to hire a couple guys to haul away the debris. I spent the afternoon chain-sawing and stacking wood, then piling all the debris in a nice semi-neat pile. Not bad in 100-degree+ heat.

Next weekend is grow bed stand building.

I know my madness wont end for quite a while. Ultimately, I want to be able to feed 20 adults and 9 children. It is part of my sustainable food plan.

Were there any challenges with the tank or with the color? I am guessing you filled it with the water hose? City or well water?

Aftermath all that sounds good I wish you luck and will follow your post wish I lived closer to give ya a hand but it sounds like good exercise

Appreciate the offer. My pains have pains. But all the really hard physical labor should pretty much be done minus building stands. That really isn't physical labor than just plain 'ol fun. Nothing like creating something with your own two hands to bring a smile of satisfaction to your face.

Mine is buried, but you could always paint a white one. Black will get very hot.

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No way will you catch the fish with a net through that hole. I cut the a lot of the top off mine, and I still have to drain the tank down to catch fish. I actually have to get inside the tank and chase them around.
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that is what I was sayin get a white and paint it other than black

I thought also that it would be hard to catch fish threw that hole

Now that is something I would pay to see. Sounds like something I would do.

It seems that I will have no choice but to cut some openings. I will see if I can rig some sort of screen to keep critters out that can be opened and secured when closed. I will follow the voice of experience and get the white tank. I plan to bury it partially as well to allow the natural ground insulation.

I can catch some of the fish by using a fishing pole and bait, but if I want to get certain ones, or all of them I have to get in the tank with a net. The top of my tank is open and at ground level and I don't have a cover for it, no issues so far. Also if you really wanted the black tank, it can be painted also. Just some food for thought.