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IBC Aquaponics System

A 275 gal IBC fish tank and a 14 in media grow bed on a heavy 4x4 stand beside it, with a bell siphon and a pump.

Draft plan, generated from the model. Not yet build-tested.
275 galFish tank
48 x 40 x 14 inGrow bed
52 x 44 x 30 inStand
12 to 20 hrBuild time
~$648.86Materials, part estimate

Drawings All dimensions in inches

3D viewfinished
3D view
3D view, framingsiding and roof removed
3D view, framing
Front elevation
Front elevation 108 in 46 in
Right elevation
Right elevation 44 in 46 in
Plan viewfrom above
Plan view 108 in 44 in

Cut list: lumber Long-point lengths; angles noted

QtyStockLengthPartCut
12x6 GC37End beam lefton edge, between the legs
12x6 GC37End beam righton edge, between the legs
12x6 GC37Mid beamon edge
22x6 GC20 3/4Beam fronton edge, between the legs
22x6 GC20 3/4Beam backon edge, between the legs
64x4 PT23 3/4Leg

Cut list: sheet goods

PartStockSizeNote
Deck 13/4 ply48 x 44cut 48 x 44
Deck 23/4 ply4 x 44cut 4 x 44

Lumber cutting diagram Lengths chosen for the lowest cost; 1/8 in kerf, 1/2 in end trim

2x6 GC x 10 ft
End beam left 37End beam right 37Beam front 1 20 3/4Beam front 2 20 3/4
2x6 GC x 8 ft
Mid beam 37Beam back 1 20 3/4Beam back 2 20 3/4
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Leg 1 23 3/4Leg 2 23 3/4Leg 3 23 3/4Leg 4 23 3/4
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Leg 5 23 3/4Leg 6 23 3/4

Sheet cutting diagrams Dashed = openings to cut out

Sheet 1: 3/4 in plywood, 4 x 8 ft
Deck 148 x 44Deck 244 x 4

Shopping list $506.86 checked / $142.00 estimated

ItemStoreQtyEachLineNote
2x6x10 ground-contact pressure-treatedHome Depot1$12.98$12.98see lumber cutting diagram
2x6x8 ground-contact pressure-treatedHome Depot1$9.78$9.78see lumber cutting diagram
4x4x8 ground-contact pressure-treatedHome Depot2$11.28$22.56see lumber cutting diagram
23/32 in (3/4 in) CDX plywood, 4x8 sheetLowe's1$46.57$46.57see sheet cutting diagrams
275 gal IBC tote, used, in a steel cageUG Jax or Container Exchanger2$110.00$220.00275 gal IBC totes, food-grade, used
Submersible pump, 250 gphHappy Hydro or Amazon1$28.95$28.95
Aquaponics fittings kit: bell siphon, bulkheads, 1 in plumbingAmazon or a hydroponics shop1$60.00$60.00bell siphon kit and plumbing
Clay pebbles, 4 L bagWalmart8$13.26$106.0810 in of media, about 32 L
Tilapia or goldfish stocking, 50 fingerlingsOnline1$45.00$45.00
Water test kit: pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrateAmazon or a pet store1$25.00$25.00
Exterior wood screws #9 x 2.5 in, 5 lb boxHome Depot2$29.97$59.94
Carriage bolts, nuts and washers, 12 packHome Depot1$12.00$12.00
Total before tax~$648.86
Filled dot: price read from a store listing on Oct 20, 2026. Hollow dot: estimate. Prices come from the master price list, so they change when it changes.

Build steps

  1. Pick a level site with full sun and a gravel or concrete pad at least 11 ft long and 4 ft wide. A full IBC weighs 2,300 lb; do not set it on grass.
  2. Build the stand: six 4x4 legs, 2x6 beams on edge between the legs, a middle beam, and a plywood deck. Set the legs on concrete pavers.
  3. Cut a used IBC tote at the 14 in line with a saw, to make the grow bed, and rinse both totes well. Use only food-grade totes that never held chemicals.
  4. Fit a bell siphon in the grow bed and a return line to the fish tank. Fit the pump in the fish tank with a line up to the bed.
  5. Fill the grow bed with 10 in of clay pebbles and the tank with water. Run the system for 4 weeks, with fish food, before you add fish, to start the nitrogen cycle.
  6. Add 50 fingerlings and a few plants, and feed twice a day. Test pH, ammonia and nitrate every week.

Before you start