Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

In Utah I can get them 4 $75

I have found some from the local farm supply company for $100. They told me that they have had fertilizer in them, although I have not got to have a look at what kind of fertilizer yet.

Does anybody have feed back on what I should look out for, or would all fertilizer be OK if it is washed out.

Why would a bakery use IBC totes? I could see a large bakery (factory) having some, but not the local guy who makes cookies and cupcakes in a small strip mall.
I've seen them from 80-150 on craigslist, haven't purchased any yet. trying to see if it'd be cheaper to build my own grow beds with lumber i have lying around and pond liner vs ibc's cut in half.

Thanks Journeyman. I contacted Gerry and now have the start of my Aquaponics system. 4 near new Schultz IBC's for $50 each.

I got my totes for $35 each so I bought 5, they had a water based polymer in them which was apparently used as a catalyst for some concoction to make rubber. The company I got them from said they are safe to use once cleaned out and supplied the MSDS, had a read and couldn't find any toxins. The totes have been cleaned and empty for about two months (I know I'm taking a long time to get it running ) so I'm hoping there won't be any problems.

HC go ahead and use them. My first sump and two grow beds had the sam and they were in use in one month no problems

Cooking oil IBC's for $40 in Worcester, MA..

source: http://worcester.craigslist.org/grq/4151958660.html

Thanks ccBear, I was a bit worried that I might have done the wrong thing using these IBCs so I appreciate your response.

I've found a sauce supplier which sells the 275 gallon ibc totes after use for $10 each and they have food grade waste in them: vinegars, oils, etc.

If you can, you should try for food grade or plain water waste. A good place to find them are from beverage companies. Ask around and find your closest beverage/sauce plants and call them and ask if they have any for sale. An example of this is a Sunny D plant in Sherman, TX that sells them after they mix their food grade juice product for $40 each.

Also, I've found many places that just buy them from these companies only to resell them at local farm stores, co-ops, etc. That is how I found out about the Sunny D plant. The gentleman at the co-op was selling them for $100 each. I asked what the orangish liquid at the bottom of the tank was, in case it was a harsh chemical/cleaner. He responded that it was Sunny D, at which point I thanked him for his time and finished my other purchases. I then googled Sunny D in my area and found the plant! I had lived there for close to 4 years and never even knew the plant was there, but once I did it saved me $60 a tote.

The bakery where I get my totes is indeed a commercial "factory" type place. I know of three things they get in totes - molasses, high-grade mineral oil rated for food preparation machinery, and soybean oil. The soybean oil vendor takes theirs back to clean and refill, so I can't get any of those. But when they're done with the others, I come pick them up.

I just finished cleaning mineral oil out of the one I got from Shelgeyr. 3 rounds of dish soap and water, 1 round of bleach water, and then another round of soap and water. Buried and filling now!

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jrl91rs that is good news indeed! I'll let you know if I get a spare molasses tote on my next run - they're SO much easier to clean, although they smell like fine cigars seemingly forever.

I work @ a concrete block plant and I get IBC's for FREE from them and they had biodegradable soap in them...

Try calling local concrete plants and see if you can get em like me, they usually need one per month to clean out concrete mixer. Though we use some to store diesel, hydraulic oil etc. So they replace them once in a while but the ones I get have only been used w/ soap... But just check so you don't get one thats had other fluids in em....

try calling other places as you might be shocked where you can get IBC's cheap to free and that DIDN'T have harmful chemicals in them...

all you need is a phone, phone book, some time and speak nicely (remember honey attracts better than vinegar)

PS (concrete blocks also have expanded clay used in them)(called light weight blocks- they weigh less than the ones w/ pea gravel in em and are better fire resistant). I can buy it from them @ cost by the cubic yard and you might be able to talk to concrete plant manager n get a deal that would save you TONS vs buying it in 50-100 lbs bags...

Check this guy out. He's in Lockport LA the totes are food grade and had cooking oil in them. Makes them easy to clean.
Found him on craigslist last time I was working in LA.

250/275 gal Totes for sale. $50 each. 9852320939

Is the concrete remover you guys use called "Liquid Hammer"? I have a few IBC's with Liquid Hammer residue in them that I would love to use for Aquaponics after cleaning them, but I'm not sure if it's safe to do so.
I'M NEW TO THIS AND DON'T WANT TO SCREW THINGS UP!
So, if you (Shaggy) or anyone else has used an IBC that's contained biodegradable concrete remover, and have had success in growing healthy plants and fish, please let me know! Thanks a lot!