Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Heya all. Going to chop up an IBC shell to use as raised veggie beds. I *think* it's galvanised iron, but I really don't want it to be aluminium. Can anyone ID it for me? I've no idea about metals.

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You can get the full res piccy by clicking "Full size" up in the top right corner on that page.

Definately galv sheet. Notice the pattern on the metal.

got a magnet? It wont stick to aluminium but will to galv...

Yea its gall as for garden beds beeing wet most of the time will probley rust quick

Hi mate,

Just an idea FWIW...

If you want to use as retaining sheet for a raised garden bed, why not try cutting up old split wheelie bins from the local tip. Phone the council, ask for the waste management officer, tell them what you want them for. They cut up real nice into little flat sheets that would be ideal. (I have been using them for that purpose!)

Also a lot safer than having sharp rusty old metal edges all over the place.

Hope this suggestion helps.

Johnnie, thanks for the idea, I'll be sure to do some investigation.

Thanks for the help guys!

gemmell, cut gal will be more prone to rusting on the ends where the cuts are made. Most of the time they only coat the outsides with a thin layer of zinc, so the corrosion resistance does not go all the way through. AM is right about the magnet test. Most scrap yards keep a magnet or two around to use just for this purpose. (Also the aluminum can sorter/crusher they use at the recycling centers use a magnetized portion of a conveyor belt to remove any steel cans from those turned in.)

Kevin

<insert dumb question here>

string

LOL!

Nearly right Gemmel.... however correct syntax is .... :insert dumb question here:

Rope, it just came out wrong. I wanted a general idea of how long iron lasts. The real question I guess is:

Considering I'm going to cut the metal (and thus expose some iron from under it's coating), is it worth using this as a grow bed for the spring/summer/autumn season? Or will it rust and fall to peices before that? Eventually we want to get nice looking galvanised steel ones (like the ones Josh Byrne uses).

Gemmell, if you are going to use gal tanks, either get new aquaplated ones, or if you are recycling tanks, coat them with a bituminous seal (eg Sikaflex).
The seal will have a gassing off period and then rinse it a few times before you put any gravel in it.
I'm hoping ours last for more than a few years

Gemmel... just poking it at ya ...

Thought the original and Jaymies response was funny.... thought your edit was funnier

we still love ya Gemmell
sorry, but when people ask questions like that and I don't have any idea of the answer, I often think of "how long is a piece of string?" too lazy, so just put "string"