A Community and Forum For Aquaponic Gardeners

Hooray for IBCs

When I first got started I wasn't 100% sure what kind of tanks I'd be using. The more I read about IBCs I knew they were perfect.
1) Easy to find
2) Cheap
3) Come with built in drains
4) Come with their own support structure
5) Because of their size and shape makes it easy to add more modules to your system.
6) Can be moved around with a pallet jack if you want to move them

7) They have a gauge on the side so you know exactly how much water is in the tank.

The list goes on and on. Any downside other than the square shape which isn't as great as round?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by RupertofOZ on September 17, 2012 at 1:13am

The square shape isn't as optimum as a round tank... in creating a degree of circular flow..

Which both generates the solids into a central collection area.. and provides a current in which the fish can exercise...

The biggest "downside" factor of the use of IBCs... is the limited surface area...

Not a big problem if the system is lightly stocked... but in higher stocked systems... it's a major factor in growth variations in stock...

And perhaps explains why some people suggest that fish stocks grow at varying rates...

Fed correctly... fish stocks shouldn't exhibit any great variation in growth rates at all...

A restricted surface area though.. can result in fish jostling for the feed... with the more dominant stock procuring most of the feed... hence a greater variation in growth rate/size...

IBCs are fine for most backyard aquaponic systems... but I would certainly not base any "commercial" aquaponics concept on them... not as fish tanks, or grow beds...

Permalink Reply by Jim Fisk on September 17, 2012 at 8:11am

Good stuff Rupert, thanks.

I get the round fish tanks for current flow but square gbs are a huge space saver over the commercial round kiddy pool gb systems I have seen and was very skep.. of.

Permalink Reply by RupertofOZ on September 17, 2012 at 9:00am

Yep, I certainly wouldn't use the "kiddy pools" as grow beds...

But be aware... most IBCs... are NOT UV stabilsed... and will become brittle quite quickly in high sunshine, and/or high UV areas... sometimes even within 12-18 months...

Painting them can prolong their life...

Permalink Reply by Jim Fisk on September 17, 2012 at 11:48am

Point well taken. I've been trying for years to warn all the mech shops that store waste oil in them out in the bright sun for years. A disaster waiting to happen! I know where about 100 ibcs are sitting with all the tops sun rotted and worthless. They want 10.00 ea

Permalink Reply by Bobby McGovern on September 17, 2012 at 9:23pm

Hey Rupert...hope you're doing well.

I should have prefaced my discussion with "why IBCs are great for beginners". Not a huge cash outlay and they don't take up a whole heck of a lot of space.

It's a whole heck of a lot easier convincing others in the household about the pros of Aquaponics with an IBC system.

"Look, we just have to cut it in two right here, add some pipes and some rocks and we have instant fish and vegetables AND it doesn't take up that much room"......Once everyone sees for themselves how amazing Aquaponics it won't be so difficult to convince the doubters.

RupertofOZ said:

The square shape isn't as optimum as a round tank... in creating a degree of circular flow..

Which both generates the solids into a central collection area.. and provides a current in which the fish can exercise...

The biggest "downside" factor of the use of IBCs... is the limited surface area...

Not a big problem if the system is lightly stocked... but in higher stocked systems... it's a major factor in growth variations in stock...

And perhaps explains why some people suggest that fish stocks grow at varying rates...

Fed correctly... fish stocks shouldn't exhibit any great variation in growth rates at all...

A restricted surface area though.. can result in fish jostling for the feed... with the more dominant stock procuring most of the feed... hence a greater variation in growth rate/size...

IBCs are fine for most backyard aquaponic systems... but I would certainly not base any "commercial" aquaponics concept on them... not as fish tanks, or grow beds...

Permalink Reply by RupertofOZ on September 17, 2012 at 10:04pm

Absolutely Bobby.... using an IBC as a starter system for a backyard aquaponics system... is a very accessible andcheap option...

I just threw in the "cons"... because they're aspects that either aren't particularly known... or thought about... in relation to IBCs...

Hey I use an IBC for one of my home systems...

Permalink Reply by Jim Fisk on September 18, 2012 at 9:24am

Yes, Ibc's are the place to get your feet wet for sure. I have started many successful businesses over the years by starting small and learning "the language" before expanding commercially and totes are an amazing place to start. Personally once I get the kinks worked out I plan a 16 x 16 addition to the gh for a round fish tank. That should jump things into high gear for our situation.

And Rupert I love your pics. Nice operation. I am trying to keep everything "under glass" as I am still very wary of "chemtrails" as I see them heavy in our area and I just don't trust what's in them until we know more. Bad enough that the sheep and dirt garden are exposed to that crap. That is one reason that I got into ap but that is another discussion.

Bobby McGovern said:

Hey Rupert...hope you're doing well.

I should have prefaced my discussion with "why IBCs are great for beginners". Not a huge cash outlay and they don't take up a whole heck of a lot of space.

It's a whole heck of a lot easier convincing others in the household about the pros of Aquaponics with an IBC system.

"Look, we just have to cut it in two right here, add some pipes and some rocks and we have instant fish and vegetables AND it doesn't take up that much room"......Once everyone sees for themselves how amazing Aquaponics it won't be so difficult to convince the doubters.

RupertofOZ said:

The square shape isn't as optimum as a round tank... in creating a degree of circular flow..

Which both generates the solids into a central collection area.. and provides a current in which the fish can exercise...

The biggest "downside" factor of the use of IBCs... is the limited surface area...

Not a big problem if the system is lightly stocked... but in higher stocked systems... it's a major factor in growth variations in stock...

And perhaps explains why some people suggest that fish stocks grow at varying rates...

Fed correctly... fish stocks shouldn't exhibit any great variation in growth rates at all...

A restricted surface area though.. can result in fish jostling for the feed... with the more dominant stock procuring most of the feed... hence a greater variation in growth rate/size...

IBCs are fine for most backyard aquaponic systems... but I would certainly not base any "commercial" aquaponics concept on them... not as fish tanks, or grow beds...