Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

When it's done It'll be a greenhouse IBC system.

Looks like a good start Chris .

Looks like some solid equipment. Measure twice and cut once!! I'm really good about not following my own advice. Learn from me haha.

Can't wait to see how the build goes.

Chris,

Any updates on the system?

not yet, cut an IBC in half for GB's but not certain what it was used for before, it has a white chalky substance in it, I think it was used for cement. I just finished a rabbit hut today, the AP greenhouse is next on the list (if nothing else breaks, HA!)

I had the same problem with an IBC tote I used in a previous system of mine. It was a crystallized substance, but came right off with a good scrub and all water tests came back with good results so I continued on. Cut in half? What GB depths are you going for in your system? Nice, hope the hunt went well. I hope the rains hold off so I can get out on a dove hunt next Saturday.

not hunting built a small tin building to house rabbits, I cut the IBC sideways in half right side left side instead of top and bottom, I think it will give me larger surface area and I cut them as deep as I could without cutting the drain valve on bottom, they will be at least 12 I may can go 13-14. I've scrubbed it with dawn and bleach, should be good.

not hunting built a small tin building to house rabbits, I cut the IBC sideways in half right side left side instead of top and bottom, I think it will give me larger surface area and I cut them as deep as I could without cutting the drain valve on bottom, they will be at least 12 I may can go 13-14. I've scrubbed it with dawn and bleach, should be good.

Haha I knew it sounded a little too early for rabbit season. Will you be using the rabbits as a food source or to breed? That's a great idea on the GBs I never thought increasing the volume by cutting IBCs long ways. Sounds like everything is coming along nicely.

Yes we will be raising rabbits for meat, the poo for worm beds worms for gb and fish. may even try feeding the rabbit crap to some fathead minnows. I've read the warnings about warm blooded fecal but it's tempting

Very nice. Seems like you have a nice little homestead going there. I've had the idea once my GB gets a little more seasoned over the next few months I'm going to add in some red wrigglers. My idea is to then once they start multiplying, chop them up and use as a food source for my fish.

I'm not sure on the idea to use the poop as a direct food source. It may be better if it were at least once removed from being 100% fecal wastes. For example, I've read in a few places about using fecal wastes to cultivate a sort of gnat farm. Then using the gnats and gnat larvae as a food source.

I may be completely off here, but that's just some more ways of looking at it I suppose.

-Tyler

todays progress. here's how I cut my IBC for the most planting surface.

What's the difference between using an SLO and just plumbing out the valve at bottom of IBC? pro's and con's. plumbing out the bottom should give more flow of solids with less restriction but how to keep fish from being sucked into the 2" hole? any thoughts.

Todays progress.

Those photos remind me a bit of American Gothic (the painting that is) . Good start on the greenhouse



Either way works pretty well but SLO's are much more common. I haven't seen anyone's method of restricting fish access to the bottom drain. It's likely you'd have better solids collection from the bottom drain from what I've heard.

The main concern is that if there is a leak out the bottom plumbing that you'll have no water left in the tank for the fish to swim in. With a SLO this doesn't happen since you've gone through the wall higher up. If you don't glue the SLO up, you can remove it to clean pretty easily as well. Short stainless steel screws are good for keeping the pieces together.