Richard bray

Total Estimated Cost: $464
Tools:

• Reciprocating saw
• Angle grinder
• Jigsaw
• Box cutter
• Drill
• Small drill bit
• Sandpaper
• Tool to cut plastic/pipe/tubing
• Permanent marker
• Paint brush

Directions3
Step 1.
Using a permanent marker, draw a line around the top of the tote right under the second horizontal cage piece (See illustration).
System design from: https://www.howtoaquaponic.com/designs/ibc-aquaponics/
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Cut all around the cage right under this bar
Step 2.
Remove the top bars from the cage, and save them for your grow bed. Tip over the cage and remove the tote. Unbolt the cage from the bottom frame.
Step 3.
Using a reciprocating saw, cut off the top of the cage. Cut around the cage under the top row of squares.
Step 4.
Use an angle grinder to smooth out the top of the bars on the fish tank (bottom) portion of the cage. Spray the cut edges with Krylon Rust Protector spray paint.
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Step 5.
Cut off the top 14" of IBC tote with a jigsaw. This will become the grow bed. Cut around the IBC tote on the line that you drew in Step 1. This will leave a scrap piece of plastic, but it makes the fish tank easier to access and it lowers the grow bed to a manageable height.
Step 6.
Use sandpaper or a box cutter to clean the burrs off the cut edges of the IBC tote.
Step 7.
Flip the cage upside down into the base so that the painted rods of the cage set into the metal cage base. Cut out an access area for the fish from the short side of the cage (See illustrations).
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Step 8.
Use an angle grinder to clean up the cut cage edges, and spray with spray paint to prevent rust.
Step 9.
At this point, you should have the larger, bottom half of the metal cage sitting upside down on the metal base. The smaller, top end of the cage is the grow bed, and it should be with the top half of the IBC plastic tote.
Step 10.
Paint the outside of the fish tank (bottom half of the IBC tote] and the grow bed (top half of the IBC tote] with an exterior oil-based or marine-grade paint. This will prevent the tank and grow bed from heating up, which can cause an algae bloom.
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Step 10.
When dry, place the bottom half of the IBC tote inside the bottom half of the metal cage. This is the fish tank. The plastic tote should be lower than the edge of the cage. This will allow airflow between the fish tank and the grow bed.