If you're new to aquaponics you can buy a ready made kit from an aquaponics supplier which will come with the fishtank,growbeds, pump and piping or you can go the DIY route and source the materials from second hand places or materials you have at home. The reason people would want to go the DIY route is you can potentially save yourself hundreds or even thousands of dollars especially if you can get the materials for free.
The easiest way to set up a system is to get hold of an IBC container. These are 1 metre cubed plastic containers that hold 1000 litres, and are used by companies to transport liquids. If you buy a second hand IBC container it is important to find out what was originally held in the container. There are different types of IBC Containers, some are food grade and some aren't. Some may have contained something non toxic that is easy to wash out of the container and some may have carried poisonous substances that even if you give a wash out may still seep into the water later and end up killing your fish. Obviously you want to purchase an IBC Container that is food grade and one that you have an idea of the history of what was in it.
Next post I'll start with the construction of the aquaponics system.
