Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I found some large Containment Trays at Plastic Mart one is 11 inches deep and it works out to .60 cent per gallon(250 gallons for $150). It really wide, but I could float some spinach in the middle and be able to pull them into reach. That seems cheap enough for me! Has anyone seen any better deals or more ideal grow trays/beds?



I need grow beds fast and I do not really want barrels and I dont have the time to pour concrete beds; and this is temporary anyway. Any suggestions?

how sturdy is the plastic? will it stand up to lots of water and gravel?
make sure you have strong stands for them

Big tray!.... if it's sturdy enough and you can reach to access it then it'll certainly do the job.... especially for floating raft stuff....

If weight is a factor you could always use expanded clay balls or a 75:255 mix of perlite/vermiculite.... those media aren't probably suitable for any plants requiring support though and you would have to provide some way of supporting any tall plants.... or pack them in close so that they're self supporting.

Could also use other media like rookwool slabs or coco coir...... just have to remember the water retention properties and allow for drainage accordingly.

Definitely make sure plastic is rigid!

My GB buckled on me tonight . Hydroton and water everywhere

The price for gallon of growbed area seems high to me. I'm still in the set up phase for my system, but I'm either going with wood framed boxes and liners or half barrels. More than likely half barrels. That way it's easy to add more later as they are readily available. I can get a 50 gallon barrel for $10US, cutting that in half it gives me two growbeds for that price. And being conservative at 40 gallons of growbed for $10US, I can build 280 gallons of growbed for $70.

rassd, Where do you get your $10 barrels?

yep, good price for barrels

Dan, TSC is everywhere in Texas. I would go with some plastic stock tanks or salt tanks. They are strong, rugged and relatively inexpensive.

If you have the room, http://tractorsupply.com/detail.asp?pcI ... m=Homepage

Or for tighter spaces,
http://tractorsupply.com/detail.asp?pcI ... ctID=25230

This is also a good option. Janet uses these and is very enthusiastic about her success with them.
http://tractorsupply.com/shopping_list. ... ku=2229935

My local recycling center sells them for $15 each, but if you buy bulk it goes down to $10 each. They come from one of two sources, either farm supply, teet dip or from a local bottling place and are syrup.

The more grow-beds the more plumbing required - so don't forget to factor this in if using small beds.

and possibly more pump output needed.

Good points... I hadn't considered those things in my design costs.

long as you have a solid base you can always stop them spreading by wrapping something round them!(tie wire ,duct tape,rope?). not OUR ROPE ,hes too valuable as a great source of information to just tie up GBS!


I found some large Containment Trays at Plastic Mart one is 11 inches deep and it works out to .60 cent per gallon(250 gallons for $150). It really wide, but I[/quote]

I can not get the bunk feeder liners for lass than $100. That seems high for something I have to build a frame around.

If shipping to not to high then I might order one just to see how ridged they are. If they "flimsy" then the bunk liners would be about the same price.

I found that rubbermaid makes a 50 gallon stock tank that is 12 inches deep. These are ridged and if all else fails I will get 4 of those.