Building a 3–4 IBC Aquaponics System on a Budget 💧🌱 Cheb, Czech Republic 🇨🇿 Outside: -6 to -15°C ❄️ Building: not yet Planning: full speed ✅ Since winter won’t allow construction yet, I’m using this time to prepare everything properly for my spring aquaponics pilot. The goal: A small but scalable system that I can later adapt for Mindanao conditions. Local sourcing (Cheb / Karlovarský kraj): • 3× IBC tanks (1000L): $70–75 each → $210–225 • 2× 200L barrels (filter + sump): $15–20 each → $30–40 • Water pump: $70–75 (BOYU FP-4000) • Air pump: $95–100 (Resun LP-40 / Hiblow HP-40 / Aquaking Q2007) • Grow media: $200–220 → 600kg basalt 8–16mm (lava rock is too expensive here) • Fittings & plumbing: $25–50 (hopefully 😅) Estimated total: 👉 $630–710 for a complete pilot system Sources: Bazoš.cz, Facebook Marketplace, local garden shops. 🔎 Important note: Always check what the IBCs were used for – food-grade only. Why I like this setup: • cheap to build • easy to expand • realistic to copy later in the Philippines 👉 Your turn: • What aquaponics budget are you aiming for? • Any hacks or cheaper alternatives you’ve found? Let’s compare and learn together.

At the beginning, I assumed that finding cheaper materials would automatically keep the system budget under control. On paper, it made sense. But once logistics, availability, transport, and compatibility entered the picture, the “cheap option” started getting expensive — fast. What I’m learning is this: • Planning beats improvisation • Access matters more than price • And “low cost” depends heavily on your local reality I’m building here to learn what actually works — before scaling this mindset further down the road.

I’ve added a beginner guide PDF to the Classroom under Start Here: Aquaponics for Beginners (EU Reality). If you’ve read it, comment READ below. If you have questions or disagree with something in the guide, ask here — it helps everyone.

Before buying more parts, I mapped out the entire system flow based on the materials I plan to use and the type of crops I want to grow. This post is not about results yet — it’s about design logic. _________________________________________________________ 🔁 Water Flow Overview 1️⃣ Fish Tank - 1× IBC tank - Dedicated only to fish Water exits the fish tank by gravity. _________________________________________________________ 2️⃣ Mechanical Filter Tank (200L) First stop after the fish tank. Designed to: - capture solid waste - reduce debris before water reaches the grow beds This keeps the grow beds cleaner and easier to manage. _________________________________________________________ 3️⃣ Grow Beds (4 units, single row) Built from 2× IBC tanks, cut horizontally. Each IBC provides two grow beds (top + bottom). Grow bed configuration: 🟩 Grow Beds 1 & 2 - Styrofoam raft system - Used for lettuce - Lightweight roots, minimal clogging 🟫 Grow Beds 3 & 4 - Lava rock media - Bell siphon system - Suitable for heavier crops (cabbage, kale, etc.) Water flows sequentially through all four beds. _________________________________________________________ 4️⃣ Sump Tank (200L) - Final collection point for all returning water - Positioned at the lowest level - Ensures stable water level in the fish tank _________________________________________________________ 5️⃣ Pump Return - Water is pumped from the sump tank back to the fish tank - System runs in a continuous loop _________________________________________________________ 🧠 Why This Design Makes Sense (for me) - Efficient use of IBC tanks - Clear separation between: - Simple gravity flow - Easy to adjust or scale later Nothing is built yet — this is the thinking stage documented honestly, before spending money or locking myself into mistakes. _________________________________________________________ Does this layout make sense to you, or would you approach it another way?

Today’s update is a classic beginner mistake — but worth documenting. I miscalculated the grow media volume. Because of that error, the total media cost for 4 grow beds turned out to be almost 4× higher than my original estimate.Not a small difference — enough to force a rethink. What I’m changing 👇 Instead of filling all 4 grow beds with the same media: • 2 grow beds → Styrofoam rafts (DWC) for iceberg lettuce • 2 grow beds → Lava rock for cabbage & kale This hybrid setup keeps the system functional while significantly reducing upfront cost. Media numbers (important part) For 2 grow beds with lava rock: • Total lava rock needed: ~500 kg • Cost range: 12,000 – 15,000 CZK • That’s roughly $500 – $630 USD If I had filled all 4 beds with lava rock, the number would’ve been painful enough to slow the whole project down. What I’m doing next • I’m actively researching cheaper IBC tank and Media (lava rocks) sources • Looking for better local suppliers and logistics options • No purchase yet — documenting before locking decisions Lesson learned 🧠 • Small calculation errors scale fast • Grow media is not a “minor” cost • Hybrid systems = flexibility for beginners No panic, no rushing — just adjusting the plan and moving forward. More updates soon as I finalize sourcing.