Wicking Beds. How to make IBC Self Watering Garden Beds MKI

How to make an IBC wicking bed.. An easy & water efficient gardening system for veggies & herbs.. Will be making up a few more of these for our front yard so we can maximize the food production from our plot..
The original Idea belongs to Colin Austin...
waterright.com....
Scarecrows garden blog is another place that sold me on the idea..
scarecrowsgarde...
Wicking Barrel MK II • Wicking Barrel... Self...
Feel free to pick me grey bits about how it has gone for us...

[@RobsAquaponics]

We tried that a few seasons ago.. We cut out little white plastic butterflies then put them up around the garden..They didn't work but the girls had fun making them & decorating the patch :D» I have seen little solar powered units that have a butterfly jiggling around that are supposed to work.. Koo really wants a net so she can hunt them down.. Her & her grandfather spent about an hour chasing them down with my fish nets last weekend.. Thanks for the suggestion & have a great one..

[@WanieB]

i live in the US and love your videos, thanks. i recieved my first IBC container couple of weeks ago and i think i will try your method. thanks for the videos.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Left a few bits out so going back to add annotations.. There is always something someone asks or you remember that jogs your memory after the fact.. Thanks for watching Larry & take it easy..

[@RobsAquaponics]

Not a recovering engineer but my farther is one so some of it probably rubbed off ;) The paint was to tie it in with the aquaponic beds but it also helps stop algae growth around the reservoir area in the base as there is always some moisture down there.. Hope that helps & have a great one Allen...

[@RobsAquaponics]

I found with the barrels that the water will overflow from the outlet pipe before the reservoir is full if it was situated beside the fill pipe.. Further away means the more likely the "res" becomes full before overflowing showing that the bed is full.. Thanks for asking the question as next few beds I make will have the hole situated on the far "long" corner of the fill pipe side if that makes sense.. Thanks again for asking & helping...

[@RobsAquaponics]

Probably should of mentioned that :D» During summer we tend to top them up weekly but over winter every week & a ½ to 2 weeks.. I have never **knocks on wood** had a large bed dry out to the point that the plants were wilting & collapsing.. I have missed filling up a barrel or 2 & they used to suffer a bit.. I changed the way the reservoirs were made up in the barrels & don't appear to have that problem now.. Shall add that info to the clip.. Thanks Brendan & have a great one...

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thank you & glad you find the clips useful.. Have a great one :)

[@NaughtyGoatFarm]

Awesome mate. My friends son has been earning a few dollars at my place sanding and painting my ibc's. Even with my thumb out of action I really don't want to miss spring!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks for watching & I hope the clip helps.. Hamish has some great clips on all sorts of things.. I am waiting to see how his barrel top bar bee hive goes as I think that is the next project I would like to get my teeth into.. Our youngest wants us to pay her per Cabbage moth so we might see a decline in numbers soon.. Take it easy & have a great one..

[@stormman8393]

Mate, what a great video. I've never gardened in my life but I'll have a crack at this.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi Ross. I'd suggest you check out some of the updated videos I've posted to this playlist, kzbin.info/aero/PLBcWprMIwYYgCL4xDq6qcTQqDfW2tSdxF Have made a few improvements since this build, in particular, I don't recommend the simple shade cloth drain hole configuration anymore. Hope that helps some.

[@RobsAquaponics]

I'm glad the clip has helped you out & hope they grow well for you.. Not many fish could handle -10 methinks.. Off to give Mr Magoo a driving lesson now ;) Have a great one..

[@TheFirstgoldking]

Great garden. im in alaska I built 3..8'×8'×2' beds their still Frozen 6weeks into farming season.. good video sir..

[@RobsAquaponics]

VN Dustoff Have a newer clip that has a few modifications that might interest you too.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHKpqnVpat6Jm6M Hope they help to give you a few useful ideas.. Cheers..

[@RobsAquaponics]

Certainly am in Australia, SE QLD.. I used Gumtree to find some & others were given to us.. Most I have paid in $150 for opaque ones intended as fish tanks.. Most that have been used for food stuffs go for about $100-120 around here if that helps.. Cheers, Rob.

[@RobsAquaponics]

It's called "slotted ag pipe" here... I think it is called "slotted drainage pipe" in the States.. It is a drainage pipe with holes along it that is buried behind retaining walls & the like to help take water away.. Landscape supply stores normally sell it over here...

[@lukedusina4319]

Hey Rob I bought 50mm slotted drain pipe but looks far too small compared to your one what size did you purchase can only find 100mm in a 20 metre length for $117 at Bunnings which is abit more than I want to spend! Thinking maybe get storm water pipe and cut my own holes for a cheaper alternative

[@RobsAquaponics]

@@lukedusina4319 I got the 100mm slotted ag 👍 Had a few beds to build so the bulk coil works for me. The 10m roll is $49 according to their site. www.bunnings.com.au/vinidex-100mm-x-10m-slotted-draincoil_p4770252

[@JimTcarver]

Thank you... the thought of aquaponics has been my focus for next spring. But these beds look like much less work and should do the job. You make gardening look easy.

[@lelechim]

I'm in the United States. Love your Aussie "Righty-o" :D I bought a used IBC tank that's still sitting in my driveway. I was going to use it for collecting rain water but I think I'll use it for this purpose instead.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Nice one mate. I have some updated video build versions of this bed that includes better drains & water reservoirs if you're interested. IBC beds with a few modifications that's similar to this one, kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHKpqnVpat6Jm6M IBC build with a lager water holding capacity, kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5-0iGpuaJ17qK8 Hope that helps some & the build goes smoothly. Cheers.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi Ian... We bought the IBCs from a guy that sells second hand ones he collects from beverage makers.. People often list them on sites like Gumtree (don't know if you have that in NZ) & Ebay.. Hope that helps some..

[@RobsAquaponics]

The end of the pipe is left open as the weed cloth covers the end stopping any sand in to clog it up.. I do like to put a cut bottle over the filling end to stop any mosquitoes laying larvae in there..Hope that helps.. Have a great one..

[@amyh1011]

What a great idea. We do self watering planters, and never thought of doing it with larger containers, but now I'm gonna have to try it. Cabbage butterfly - too funny!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi there Amy... Have found that they grow some great produce like the Aztec corn we have just started to harvest :) If your interested in trying a larger bed out have a look at the updated IBC clip... Have improved the reservoir a bit so it holds a bit more water.. Self watering Wicking bed, IBC beds with a few modifications.. Hope that helps some.. Found a few of the cabbage caterpillars on the daikon this morning :/ Made a nice snack for the fish ;) Cheers & have a great one..

[@RobsAquaponics]

No problem & thanks for watching.. :D» Have a great one Miss Doing..

[@RobsAquaponics]

I like to water them in for the first week or so, 2 weeks if sown from seed then let the beds take over John.. Glad you like the clips :) Have a good one John....

[@RobsAquaponics]

**waves back over the fence from Ipswich SE Queensland..** It certainly is glorious winter here for another week.. Thanks for watching :)»

[@RobsAquaponics]

A good straw would be fine I think Ian.. A lot of people also use shade cloth or weed matt/cloth as their divider between the layers.. Hope that helps :)

[@KaleidoscopeJunkie]

I mark the plastic for cutting before pulling it from the cage. I just run My marker along the cage. It misses 1 inch spaces at the perpendicular supports but that isn't a problem. :-)

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hey there.. I get a bit pedantic & place the IBC on a flat surface & measure up ½ way on the IBC & cage for my cuts as there isn't a bar where it's needed.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHKpqnVpat6Jm6Mm43s Have found that the cages do vary a bit.. For the aquaponic grow beds I use the cage though as the bars are where in the right spot fo the way I like to cut them.. Cheers & have a great one..

[@brianmorris8045]

Good one mate, I like your commonsense manner of explaining your project...keep up the good work.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Morning Brain & thanks.. Have an updated version of this build with a few modifications if you're interested.. Self watering Wicking bed, IBC beds with a few modifications.. Cheers mate & have a great one..

[@RobsAquaponics]

I don't think I would use them for a large bed but a smaller pot or container would be ok.. My big concern would be what they are made of.. We get pellets made from corn or other grains & think they would decompose in the reservoir.. Hope the beds are growing well for you... Sorry for the slack reply time too.. have a good one..

[@AussieAnnihilation]

Thanks, yeah i recognized instantly, im in bris. Thanks for the help, me and my partner are building a house soon and we're going to fill any available yard space with food crops.

[@RobsAquaponics]

They are easy to make up yourself.. We built them to conserve water so it is just a matter of whether you have a decent enough rain fall.. 2 of our recently flooded with a storm that was the result of a dying tropical cyclone.. Hope that helps some..

[@RobsAquaponics]

Shall go check out your duckponics set up.. Can't fit one in here but love the idea.. Have a great one Gordon..

[@willytaylor4792]

nice job rob,i am figuring out a practical way to manage the wicking bed to the aquaponic setup and have it fill automaticallly

[@RobsAquaponics]

+Willy Taylor Hey Willy. Search online & on YT for Earthan beds ;-) Paul van from Earthan group has been using them in same small display set ups for a few years now. Cheers mate.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Very easy to maintain as well.. Have great one :)

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks Steve..

[@Timodeus]

Nice video! I wonder if an air bubbler were added in the reservoir if it would help bring lots of air into the soil.

[@RobsAquaponics]

+Tim Burrows Hey Tim. A lot of O2 is drawn into the soil mix as it dries out like what would happen in normal in ground beds. Would be interesting to see if air stones in beds that have float vale auto top up units connected would benefit from the extra O2 though. Cheers mate.

[@RobsAquaponics]

I think that maybe the nutrients in your tubs might just need a boost with some castings & other fertilisers rather than getting a complete change out.. Maybe you could decrease the coconut coir in the mix to a 25:75 mix & see how they go then.. Hope that helps some... Have a great one.. Rob..

[@MrPilcher1]

Hi I had the thought of doing this as I’d tried with old fridges, but then thought why not combine the Aquaponics principal with wicking so what I’m imagining is water being pumped in to the bed at just below top of the through the gravel and having it flow then allowing the water to through bed in sleeved AG pipe to the should no dirt get into my water and back to my sump

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope that helps.. Have a good one Trevor..

[@k.j.o1314]

Thank you for the video mate! Will be doing this at home! 😁

[@RobsAquaponics]

Nice one mate. 👍 I changed the way I did the drains after this so you might want to suss out these 2 clips, kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHKpqnVpat6Jm6M & this one isn't an IBC but features a better drain system that will allow you to raise the water level, kzbin.info/www/bejne/nn2agZqlidF8o6c Hope they help some. Cheers.

[@johnsmothers1268]

this is a great video thank you for your time.

[@shadowofjuniperhill]

Best directions I have seen, thanks!

[@jwheat65]

Does the moisture in the bed wick up to the level of seedling roots or do you have to supplement with surface watering for a period of time? Thanks for your excellent videos Rob.

[@helenchen2446]

Hi! Thanks for showing us how to make the wicking bed. Lovely. I am going to make 4 garden beds . I am wondering whether we should put the bases under the wicking bed? What is your suggestion please? Thanks.

[@RobsAquaponics]

You don't need to if the ground is firm & flat Helen. I have a few more recent wicking videos that might give you a few other ideas to play with, kzbin.info/aero/PLBcWprMIwYYgCL4xDq6qcTQqDfW2tSdxF I'd recommend the top 3 in this list. Hope that helps some.

[@ruthragless3076]

thanks for these videos. Why is the ag pipe open at the other end (assuming it is)?

[@RobsAquaponics]

The end was covered by the weed cloth (from memory) so didn't need to be sealed off. I had issues with the drainage in these so went back to using the drain pipe. I show it in another clip if you want to check it out. This link will take you right to the spot I talk about the drain pipe to save you some time. 😉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHKpqnVpat6Jm6Mm49s Also just posed an updated version that includes a larger water reservoir if that interest you. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5-0iGpuaJ17qK8 Cheers & happy growing.

[@RobsAquaponics]

I can see where in your climate they may just turn into an artificial bog.. I could start on a mini sun project.. I think the anti terror laws may prevent the purchase of the material needed for a mini star so might need to power it with gasses from manure.. Parliament would give me the best quality me thinks... Stay Warm Mr Brendan...

[@andrewhanlon9473]

Another way to 'draw' a cutting line at mid-height: take a length of sewing elastic, join ends by knotting, slip over cube and adjust on all 4 faces to same height - can check by eye, or by set square - then cut by eye, adjacent to the elastic band. Or use a texta-maker, then cut.

[@JimTcarver]

Do they need to be painted? Also does the water in the bottom freeze in the winter? One more question ....do you put worms in the beds?

[@SteveNVegas]

nice job

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope your not out of action for long.. I would like a minion to do some work in the yard but school work always becomes a major priority when I ask... Take it easy Hamish..

[@RobsAquaponics]

Sound great Charles... Does he deliver to Ipswich ;) ? Have fun playing with them..

[@MrPilcher1]

With the IBC's my young fella got a heap of insulation rap and rapped my IBC's left overs from jobs work great on the fish tanks , the Duck now have a new pond, mainly because I was having to clean the pump filter out every couple day but hey worked a treat grew peas and they hit maturity in about 4 weeks with the root mass I've ever seen so back to the fish idea now, BTW fridge are pointless don't waste your time with them

[@JimTcarver]

I now have 3 wicking beds thanks to your videos...and they are doing great! I am considering a larger bed and wanted to pass a thought by you. Would packing pellets... the little foam kind. be an acceptable replacement for the sand or stone thats used in the bottom?

[@anpham89]

Hi just wondering, is there a happy medium between an IBC having a small wicking bed and also topping up with a soaker hose on a timer from the top?

[@RobsAquaponics]

I top water ours with liquid fertiliser but that's about it An. I do know others that also top water but I don't think it's really needed once the seedlings are established & their roots hit the damp layer below. My father overwatered his first beds from the top (2-3 times a week😕) & ended up with fairly compacted soil. Am not sure if soil selection could have had something to do with it as well though. Cheers & have a top one.

[@rickyready]

Great video Bob.... and thanks for the link to Hamish's channel, just subscribed him too :D I wonder how long its going to be before you get some bees, lol.

[@CGDBiz]

Thanks for another great video. Just one question though, Is the reservoir hose at the bottom of the bed closed at the looped end or is it just left open?

[@lionfan9518]

Thanks for the good info 👍

[@RobsAquaponics]

No problem Lion Fan.👍 Some of the videos in this playlist may give you other ideas as I've set these beds up a few different ways. kzbin.info/aero/PLBcWprMIwYYizRYZra6RRbe_mrPdnXu4G Hope that helps some.

[@lionfan9518]

@@RobsAquaponics i was wondering. Do you think your most recent design is the best or do they all work about the same? 🤔

[@RobsAquaponics]

@@lionfan9518 I like the most recent using the bread crates as it increases the water holding capacity a lot. 👍👍

[@trevorsmith7953]

Hi Bob, just wondering what your thoughts are on adding the waste from a radial flow filter to a wicking bed (poured over the surface not down the fill pipe), cheers mate

[@treesagreen4191]

Why don't you link the beds so that you only have one entry and exit point? It would cut down on manual intervention. I'm wondering if you could rig up a ball valve to automate the flow. Might require an intermediary cistern to trigger the supply but it would mean the reserves would never dry out

[@RobsAquaponics]

I have done that to the smaller barrel wicking beds but not these larger ones. ► kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaHXYZt8i7GYgc0 Will be something I'd like to do to the 8 beds along the front fence. Cheers.

[@Tristami]

Hi Rob, really enjoying many of your clips. I use a lot of smartpots in my garden in Miami, Florida Zone 10b subtropical and I am wondering if you think that they could be set up as wicking barrels by lining the bottom part for the reservoir with a waterproof material of sorts? Also I am wondering if you could recommend some perennial edibles that do well in this zone. I currently have some Katuk and Ceylon Spinach but would like some more greens. Your garden is very inspiring, thanks so much for sharing. Bianca

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hey Bianca. I have tried to nut out a way to turn the base of the root pouches we use into reservoir.. I'm thinking a bowl or lining it with builders plastic might be one option.. They could be set up just like the wicking beds/barrels in the base with a fill tube of some sort.. I'm also trying the ***** style kids pool system with a few bags & so far they look to be working well.. I show that set up quickly here if you're interested kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpCsg3inhsipickm32s Some of my favourite plants we grow here would be the spices like ginger, turmeric & galangal.. Have also found that Okinawan spinach, luffa, lemongrass, sweet potato, corn, snake beans & eggplants all do very well for us.. Hope that helps some. BTW Bianca said "Cool name" ;-) Cheers & all the best for 2015..

[@Tristami]

RobBobs Backyard Farming Hey Rob, thanks for the reply. I did see the clip with the kiddie pool. I am afraid of creating a lot of breeding ground for skeeters with that. You did mention pond liner in one of your clips and I thought that might be a good option to line the bottom of the smartpots. I did have a great crop of sweet potatoes this year some in ground and some in bags. Dying to try some ginger, turmeric and galangal because, just like you guys, we love our curries :) Definitely will try Luffa and Okinawan spinach. Thanks for the suggestion. My focus has been more around creating the first layer of a small urban food forest. Trees are mostly in the ground now and thriving so I can start with some other stuff. This is my lineup for the trees: Mango, Avocado, 2 Mulberries, Macadamia Nut, Peach, Banana, Starfruit, Papaya, Canistel, Lychee, Guava, 2 Lemons. All the obvious tropical offenders aside from the peach ;) Happy growing and "cool name" back at you, Bianca.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Bianca Pratorius Sounds like a nice garden you've got planned.. Would be great to get a slightly larger block so we could plant out a food forest.. We went & visited a mates aquaponic cafe in a small town west of here yesterday.. Bianca liked the area so much she came home & started looking up land prices out there so I might just get that food forest yet ;) Cheers..

[@michellewolfson2086]

@@Tristami I live in Arizona and even though it is hot and dry we still get plenty of mosquitoes. I’ve done a couple of gardens using kitty pools and my solution is to just take a drill and drill holes along the sides to make sure that any excess water drains out properly and there’s no water sitting in the bottom.

[@faridagrewal1684]

Great beds! Do you need to water from the top? How does the water go up to the higher soil if you have it running off?

[@RobsAquaponics]

+Farida Grewal Hi there. I water from the top to establish seedlings or when I add compost teas to feed the plants. The water that sits below the overflow wicks up through the sand into the soil. The overflow is only there to stop the whole bed becoming waterlogged if there is a torrential downpour. Have posted an updated clip showing a few modifications that might help explain it better. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHKpqnVpat6Jm6M Hope that helps some, Rob.

[@redartisanwolf6716]

wonder if I could cut 1 I to 3 sections and only use soil and drainage and skip the gravel and sand and have shorter beds?? gunna work on it tomorrow

[@RobsAquaponics]

Would work as garden beds surrounds. 👍 Happy building.

[@craigschuler4392]

Is painting the totes necessary?

[@RobsAquaponics]

It does help to protect them from UV damage Craig. In saying that, I've had a few still look fine after being in the sun for almost 10 years.

[@Watsamadoing]

cheers for the insight :) looks like a great way to do it :)

[@samualiam9981]

Hi Rob. At 7:45 you said you use sugar cane mulch. Do you think wood chips/mulch would work as well or do you think they could become a fungal playground of sorts? Thanks.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hey Samual.. Fresh wood chips might tend to use up a fair amount of nitrogen to break down the carbon as I understand it but could be wrong.. If the soil mix was rich enough it may not be an issue though.. Have seen folks use old semi rotted wood as the reservoir medium with no problems though if that's any help.. Makes the beds into a hybrid hugelkultur/wicking system.. Hope that helps some..

[@samualiam9981]

That advise does help. Thanks Rob. Oh and be sure to tell the "Wombatcorn" to watch out for the cabbage butterfly LOL. Cheers.

[@jacquescasino7381]

Hi Rob, great videos. I’ve gone from looking up aquaponics to now wanting to start other projects. Question, do you need to water seedlings in the wicking beds due to their root system not being large enough to reach the water seepage?

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hey Jacques. Is great to hear the clips have inspired you some. 👍 I top water the seedlings & seeds for a few weeks until I think their roots are around 15cm/6" deep & can take water from the damp zone. Cheers & all the best with your up coming projects.

[@marinetrax]

Hi Rob, another two questions. How do you place the top of the IBC pod on the bottom. I mean like the two metal bars that are on top of the IBC pod (after you cut it in half) do you remove these and just put it on its top or take the two bars out and sit on its top with the frame sitting on the sand with no other supports? Second question was where are you buying your IBC tops/lids? As all mine are cracked and probably would not hold water. I have just bought them but they are 5 years old. Thanks so much.

[@RobsAquaponics]

I take the top bars out & let the plastic sit on the soil. I do make a bit of a mound in the soil it sits on to match the shape of the top of the tank. I will be showing this in more detail in an upcoming clip when I do a build from cutting the tank all the way through to planting it out. The lids can be hard to come by themselves. You could as the place where you got them from or other recycling mobs to see if they have any spare. You can also buy them off Ebay as well if that helps. BTW, I have a few more up to date build clips that work better than this one if it interest you, kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHKpqnVpat6Jm6M kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5-0iGpuaJ17qK8 Hope that helps some.

[@marinetrax]

@@RobsAquaponics Thank you so much Rob. Really appreciated. I have seen all those movies and many more that you have posted. I have been making mine with used 10 ltr drums cut in half with a cut down security screen to size to give me a massive water storage holding. I have also decided to connect my outlet directly into this water storage so as to not ever get any blockages. I can get the security screens and drums for free so using what I have ;-). Regards and thanks once again .Keep up the good work. Look forward to the new clip ;-).

[@billytmatthews]

Hey rob I was wondering if you have any idea about how far water can wick in these wicking beds. If I had a 50 cm flooded section with sand + aggregate and 50 cm of soil on top would the water be able to wick this distance? Or do these systems rely on the distance not being to far? Hope you can help. Thanks!

[@RobsAquaponics]

+Billy Matthews Hi Billy. How far the water will wick depends on how much organic matter/compost is in the soil blend you use I've found. Generally it's only around 300mm/1'. Some plants have very deep roots so they would do OK in a deeper beds. I have had eggplants & tomatoes that send their roots down right to the base of these beds. Shallow rooted crops like some salad greens may not do as well though. Hope that helps some mate. Rob.

[@14Whiz]

I'm in Miami too, can you tell me where you found your IBC tank? Enjoyed your video. Thanks

[@RobsAquaponics]

14Whiz Hi there. Is that Miami at the Gold Coast Australia? If so I've been told that there are a few that come up for grabs on Gumtree from time t time on the south side of Brisbane & the top of the Gold Coast. If it the Florida Miami I'm not much help then sorry. A lot of the folks I've chatted to in the States said they bought theirs from Craigslist or from food producers directly if that's any help. Soft drink/soda & alcohol producers would be a good place to start as they get a lot of ingredients in IBC's. Hope that helps some & have fun with the build when you get the tanks.

[@markelious]

hey is it not winter there? from the looks of it.. your in my back yard.... hello neighbor! Melborne Florida here love your posts! ʘ‿ʘ

[@dannybrunskill489]

Hi Guy's, can I put sugar cane mulch on top of the Geo-Textile before adding the soil, or will this effect the wicking action

[@arthurbuie2823]

Thanks for the video, I would like to know the name and color you painted your ICB's? Thanks in advance. Art.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi Art. I'm sorry but I have no idea mate. Was far too long ago.

[@jerrewassenberg2913]

Sugar Cane mulch is not available in my area of Kansas. Is there another type of mulch you would recommend?

[@RobsAquaponics]

Sorry I missed this. You could just use straw if you wanted to or some weed barrier cloth. 👍 Hope that helps some.

[@princessann9285]

Rob, Does it make any difference to the system, once the mulch has been eaten by the worms and the soil starts to mix with the top of the sand?

[@RobsAquaponics]

+Annemieke Pieters Hi Annemieke. I haven't found any issues in the older beds where this has happened. The water comes out of the overflow clear so I don't think the soil settles into the reservoir too far. Hope that helps some & have fun with the build. Rob.

[@joelhardeman9156]

Did you turn one IBC into two beds? If so, how did you do that with only one base?

[@RobsAquaponics]

I get 2 beds from 1 IBC 👍 You just need to make sure that the top is water tight by sealing it with silicone or sikaflex. It also helps it sit better on the ground if you can build up the centre where the lid is with some soil. Hope that helps some.

[@joelhardeman9156]

@@RobsAquaponics Okay thanks will do. What about the issue of only having one base for two half cages?

[@RobsAquaponics]

Sorry I missed this. I just sit the plastic on the soil.

[@franciscoborges3137]

Excelente vídeo. Gostaria de saber qual é a altura da mangueira de irrigação e qual foi a altura que ficou a camada de areia? Grato pela atenção.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Olá. O tubo tinha 10 cm de diâmetro. Descobri que uma camada de areia de 5 cm funciona bem. Desculpe, perdi sua pergunta, Roubar. (Google Translate) Hi there. The pipe was 10cm diameter. I've found that a 5cm layer of sand works well. Sorry I missed your question, Rob.

[@chancherao.9406]

Hi Bob.. I live in QLD. I am wondering if you could recommend where to get veggie net to keep pests. Try to search from the Internet but did not get what I look for. Thanks

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi there :) I bought the "Vege net" directly through NetPro out at Stanthorpe.. www.netprocanopies.com/pest-protection.html Prices for shade cloth are better than than the big "B" store as well ;) Was able to pick up some 30% at a great price as well.. Hope that helps some :) Have a great one, Rob :)

[@Superwalter2222]

Hey Rob, been watching your vids and I really enjoy them. But I was wondering how the mushroom compost worked out for you? I live near a mushroom farm and they give way the compost for free so I wanted to know if I should use it or buy a different kind of compost. And ya I've been by there and it dose have a strong smell.

[@RobsAquaponics]

***** Hey Walter. I found it went well but does need to be mixed with a bit of top soil & other compost I've found. Think I'd make up a small batch using one third of each just to see what it looks like. A wheel barrow is a good size for that purpose & the small volume will make it easier to adjust the amounts until you're happy with the ratios. Is a lot easier to adjust a small batch than a whole beds worth as I've found out a few times. I ran out of top soil in one of the IBC beds out the front so used a lot of aged horse manure & mushroom compost, about 2 parts of each to 1 part soil. Ended up with a massive worm farm that grew a few so so plants for the first 18 months as the worms chewed through all the manure & compost. It's growing some great broccoli at the moment now that it has aged a bit. Sorry for taking a few weeks to get back to you. Cheers.

[@VegaChastain]

Wombat Incorporated!

[@RobsAquaponics]

They have their tentacles everywhere.. Which is rather strange considering they are a marsupial :-/ ;-)

[@lwiggo]

Where do you get the IBC containers from

[@RobsAquaponics]

Places like Gum Tree & also looking around different aquaponic forums as many folks use them as fish tanks. 👍 This is a more up to date clip that shows a few modifications that may help some. ► kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHKpqnVpat6Jm6M&index=4&list=PLBcWprMIwYYgCL4xDq6qcTQqDfW2tSdxF

[@joshuasmith5257]

Question: Wicking vs. Drip Irrigation, which is more efficient/effective/water conservation?

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hey Joshua.. Wicking would beat drip hands down I think.. There is very little evaporation from the surface if any, excess water doesn't soak away into the ground & the plants have access to water all the time.. Another bonus is that rain water &compost teas are captured for use later by the plants in the bed.. We get a few 40°C+/104°F+ days here during summer & see little to no wilt on any of the plants, even vine crops like cucumbers & pumpkins that are grown in the beds under 30% shade cloth.. Having the water available to the plants at all times makes a HUGE difference from what I've seen.. That's just my observations But have read & seen similar from others that use the beds as well.. Hope that helps some & have a great one, Rob..

[@antinsanwo]

are those plastic barrel things BPA free?

[@kweenslandspearo1981]

Why do you paint them?

[@RobsAquaponics]

It helps top protect them from the UV light which can break the plastic down over time.

[@thuNguyen-dp4be]

What IBC stands for? Where can I buy IBC tank? How much for one?

[@RobsAquaponics]

Intermediate Bulk Container👍 We get them second hand from online trading sites mainly thu. They are normally used by food manufacturers to move liquid ingredients. You can also use other food safe containers like the tanks I used in this build, kzbin.info/www/bejne/nn2agZqlidF8o6c Hope that helps some.

[@cogaussie]

How did they go after 10 years?

[@RobsAquaponics]

They were moved about 6 months after building them. They were altered slightly in the reservoir design as well. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHKpqnVpat6Jm6M One is still in operation as an asparagus bed out the front but it will be removed soon to make way for some native bushes to attract wildlife. They still work fine, you just need to make sure that the soil is fed up regularly so it can keep the plants happy.

[@two16rcp]

Hey Rob, I LOVE the videos bro. In a large enough wicking bed, do you think it could be benifitial to add earthworms and food plant matter scraps on top of the mulch layer? My theory is that they will continue to increase soil fertility as time goes on, like a time release capsul of nutrients in the bed... Your thoughts?

[@manjichromagnon5480]

Go for it

[@evonekent3126]

Sooooo Rob... Can you somehow connect this to Aquaponic's? Have you ever done it?

[@RobsAquaponics]

+evone kent Hi Evone. There is a system set up similar to wicking beds called Earthan beds that are irrigated by aquaponic water. 👍 Paul does a great run through of a system he designed & built here in Australia that uses Earthan beds as well as traditional hydroponic growing beds in a aquaponic system. kzbin.info/www/bejne/opy2fp6Kpcmnbbc I'm yet to try my had at one but may do so in the future. Hope that helps some. Rob.

[@belltower338lapua]

is there any maintenance that you have to do down the track and how long should one of these last for?

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi Bryce. You only really need to feed the soil & keep the water topped up as far as I can see mate. 👍 Not sure if you've seen it but I have an updated version of the build with a few extra ideas if that helps any. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHKpqnVpat6Jm6M Cheers mate.

[@claudiagamino6499]

Could you please recomend me the best pace to buy tilapia food

[@RobsAquaponics]

Whereabouts do you live Claudia ? Not too sure on tilapia food as they are illegal to grow in Australia with huge fines for anyone caught with them..

[@goforgreenliving]

They love plants like duck weed its high in protein. My fish produce their own food. Sorry to throw my 2 cents worth in

[@RobsAquaponics]

goforgreenliving Is all good Daniel & thanks mate :-) Hope all's well with you & yours :)

[@goforgreenliving]

All is well brother my fish plants and Anna are growing like weeds!

[@RobsAquaponics]

We paid $100au which is about the same US delivered.. They come from an Ebay like site called Gumtree over here.. The guy gets a few different types & sell a lot to people for Aquaponic systems.. They only get used once so are brand new.. HTH give you an idea of the cost...

[@honeybacres]

It would be alright if they were the ones who were going to paint them. :)

[@user-yn1cb2di5n]

How often do u refill?

[@RobsAquaponics]

Depends on the size of the reservoir, the type & number of plants & the season. Through winter only once every 7-10 days but in summer it can be every 4 days. This newer version kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5-0iGpuaJ17qK8 had me topping up every 7+ days through summer as it holds a LOT more water. Hope that helps.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Ha ha ha... Not too certain when I will get around to bees.. Would like a hive but I can't see it firtting in anywhere at the moment.. Was thinking about getting a small native bee hive, more for the bees than for the honey though..

[@annamacdonald8589]

Here's a great tip for white cabbage butterflies.......they hate the taste of lettuce.....so blend up some lettuce and spray on plants getting attacked!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks Anna. I've never heard that before. 👍

[@RobsAquaponics]

:)» Hope it's useful..

[@popo5413]

mate have you contact info for the supplier of the IBC's you buy :) thanks

[@RobsAquaponics]

Shall PM you the details Charles :)

[@popo5413]

Hi rodidy bob lol i just found some ibc's here for $60 each i have told the guy what i need them for and he said that one held molasis and the other liquid fertiliesrer if i have spelt any thing wrong sorry :)

[@RobsAquaponics]

I think they work well... Ha ha ha ha.. I think my back may disagree with your last comment.. :D have a great one...

[@claudiaoctavia6340]

I wish IBC were more available where I live, they want $150+ usd for them. :/

[@torpa15]

Wow Rob, i just clicked on this old video of yours. I didn't know you use to be part of Hell's Angels :O

[@RobsAquaponics]

:D Closest I ever came to joining a club was scouts mate ;-) Cheers and have a great one mate.

[@ramoneoliveira5851]

Like

[@claudiagamino6499]

I live in mexico...

[@RobsAquaponics]

I really don't know of anyone in North America personally that I would recommend sorry.. I do know that the Aquaponics Source sell fish food but am not sure if they would send to Mexico.. www.theaquaponicstore.com/AquaOrganic-Organic-Fish-Food-s/126.htm Have you thought about growing your own fish food as they are vegetarians?

[@honeybacres]

lol yes maybe some nice flowers painted on the side might convince her.