Intex type pools for aquaponics?

[Karen Matus]

Hello.   I'm just wondering if any of you out there have ever used an intex-type pool in an aquaponics system.    The ease of being able to set up and move the tanks as necessary, make them an attractive idea.    I just wondered if anyone has tried it up to now?   If yes, what type of fish, and what type of problems, if any?   Were there any issues with the fish damaging the liners at all?   

[TCLynx]

Yes people have used them.

Some successfully, I believe Ron has an intex pool and his fish of various types are surviving.

 

Other's I've read about have had issue after issue with cheap intex pools.  (Seemed worst with catfish and it could take several months before the major issues start.)

 

And then some people will tell you that if you set it up and age it and rinse it well then let algae grow it will be ok but if you use one new right away for fish it will kill them.

 

I don't know how to tell which ones are gonna be safe and which ones are too chemically treated.

 

I don't really expect the fish to damage the pools, I've never had a catfish spine try to puncture my liner tanks.  However a person, or big dog jumping falling into the side of one of those inflatable top pools might cause issues and definitely keep an eye on the seams or anything that might puncture the pool.

[Kellen Weissenbach]

Hi Karen,

 

I've used them years ago, and they never caused any fish kill issues for me.  They worked really well for me overall.  I do prefer rigid tanks though.  A few of my friends use them currently and seem happy with them as well.

 

I would suggest contacting the manufacturer and asking if they add any algae inhibitors to the liner material.  That would be my primary concern.

 

I most likely would not use the pump if one is included.  They tend to be terribly inefficient, and some are just plain junk.  If you get one that includes a pressurized sand filter, that can be converted to a fluidized bed or bead filter fairly easily most of the time.  They are nice to have.

 

You will probably be patching a few holes after the first year or two, and I wouldn't expect the liner to last more than maybe 4 or 5 years total.  However, for the price, they are a LOT of fish tank, and 4 or 5 years of service would be pretty good, considering the cost.  The unfortunate thing is that a new liner is often as costly or nearly as costly as buying the complete kit again when it comes time to replace it.  If I chose to stick with my frame and only buy a new liner, I would go with something like a Firestone EPDM one rather than another pool liner.

 

Hope that helps.

[Karen Matus]

Hmm.  Never thought about the chemical aspect of the liner, whether it was treated or not to be anti-algae.   But the Intex swimming pool that I bought for the kids is new this year, and it doesn't seem to have much problem growing algae.    I have noticed that the swim pool does increase in pH as the chlorine levels drop and the algae starts growing.   I wonder, is that true of water in general?  Does pH tend to increase as algae grows?  

 

I appreciate your feedback.   I thought of the Intex pools as a possibilty if I ever decided to do an outdoor aquaponics in our rental home because it would be easy to move, if we had to move (I also considered the idea of one in the basement, as it's large, but was concerned about leak potential).   I think it might be worthwhile for someone just starting out with using a larger pool/tank, to see if it's for them, and in my case, I might consider the Intex pool, until I know more what I'm doing with a larger set up, and with the idea that after a few years, I could switch to a more hard-sided tank.    I still haven't set up my smaller scale aquaponics system yet (55 gallon fish tank), but I'm thinking ahead, so to speak.    I really would love to try growing Walleye, as it's my favorite fish to eat, and they require the bigger tanks... that's what got me thinking on the Intex pools.   But Walleye do have spines on their dorsal fins, and I wondered regarding punctures, if a fish were to swim up and strike the side of the pool for whatever reason (attempt to jump, fleeing a nibbling coinhabitant, etc).     Hmm... I wonder if an Intex pool could be lined with a thicker, black plastic like they use in garden ponds?  That could add some additional protection from the possibility of fish puncturing.      Just thinking outloud here.    I appreciate the comments.  Thanks, and I'd love to read more, if others have comments to add.

[Raychel A Watkins]

Hi I have had personal success and failure with intex pools.  I had a large intex pool we had used for swimming and I dumped it filled ir with water and raised asian catfish (before aquaponics ) and had great success except the air filled top would get holes easy.  Also the sun was hard on it.  Then I felt so good I bought several other smaller ones.  The first one I put up filled it and put 10 fish in it and it killed them.  I just let it set for months and tried again with no problem.  I had another friend do it at the same time I did.  He did not realize you should always test things with a few fish.  He lost 2000 baby asian catfish.  You really need yo age the pool like a fine wine and then test with 5 or so fish and save heartache.

A word to the wise  Raychel

[Kellen Weissenbach]

Hi Karen,

 

The Firestone EPDM liner I spoke of is garden pond liner.

 

Walleye are a very challenging fish for RAS and aquaponics.  They are difficult to pellet train and are extremely cannibalistic.  If you like the walleye taste and texture, go with walleye's smaller cousin, the yellow perch.  I bet you won't be able to tell the difference. :)

[TCLynx]

I've had good luck with the firestone EPDM pondguard pond liner.

 

I need to find the pages in my BYAP system thread that show the construction of my fence panel and pond liner fish tank

Ok it starts on around page 80 of my system thread over there.

So instead of trying to line an intex pool (unless you already have one of the frame ones that needs a new liner) I would say get some cattle panels from tractor supply and some tarp and a bit of insulation to protect the liner a bit and make your own.  Anyway go to the link to see pictures.

[Kellen Weissenbach]

Ahhh... I forgot about your stock panel frame tank TC.  It really is a great way to build a big tank for little cost relative to pre-made tanks.  Definitely worth looking into Karen.

[TCLynx]

Would be easier to line using a tank liner but I've only seen those in vinyl liners but you can get potable water grade.  The folded EPDM has some drawbacks. for a deep round tank.

[Tom OBrien]

I tried using a partially filled 8' intex pool and it worked well for a couple months, but then developed a leak. That probably would have been less of a problem with an outdoor system since it was a fairly slow leak, but our setup was in the basement. We got the Intex as an upgraded winter home for some goldfish from our pond after the cheap inflatable kiddie pool we tried first began getting stretched out of shape. The goldfish didn't cause any problems with the pool and I might try it again outside some day if I ever get enough grow bed space and fish for a 600 gallon fish tank.