IBC Aquaponic totes purchased

Just picked up two IBC (Intermediate Bulk Container) totes. Going to start fabrication of the first one today. The two IBCs that I got are used and labeled as previously having food grade material in them. This is important so no unwanted chemicals that the plastic picked up are leached into my system once I get the fish and plants in there.

Specifically, the totes stored dipotassium phosphate (K2HPO4) in them. It is a common food additive, fertilizer and buffering agent. The two ingredients used to make K2HPO4 are phosphoric acid (H3PO4) & potassium hydroxide (KOH). Both are commonly used in aquaponics. H3PO4 is used to lower pH and KH and KOH is used a to buffer your pH back up to counter the acid effect of the nitrification process as well as give your plants a lovely K boost!

Anyway, Im going to get started fabricating the first one tonight. I want to do something different then what I have seen others do with IBC totes. It seems as if most people who put together their own aquaponic system either have no concern with making one which is aesthetically pleasing or they lack the skills to do so. Either way, having a system that I can proudly display in my backyard is a major concern of mine. As important as that is, it is still number two on my priority list when fabrication a system.

The number one concern when Im fabricating a new system is functionality. Theres a plethora of things that go fall under system functionality, but in my opinion, the areas that are paramount to a successful system are reliability & automation. Even if you are a mad scientist and have discovered a way to grow tomatoes from seed in a week in an aquaponics system, it wont matter one bit if your pump stops working; if your siphon stops working; if your aerator stops working........ I like to enjoy my system and reap all the benefits of growing my own produce and fresh fish. Having a system that is reliable and works how its supposed to when its supposed to and looks good doing it, now that is  what an aquaponics system is all about.

I dont want to be one of those guys who gets all excited that he just bought an IBC tote and he plans on making an aquaponics system and posts 10 pictures of the IBCs sitting in his backyard or garage. We all know what an IBC tote looks like, no one cares about your unmodified totes! :) If you would like to see some regular IBC totes please google them. Having said that, I will possibly upload some progress pictures of the fabrication detailing key components of the system. I will definitely upload all the finished product photos I can. Ill get some videos up too showing the operation of the system and a general overview.

-Ben

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