Ian's Outdoor System

[bunya boy]

Hi All,
Just thought you may like to have a look at what an IBC system can look like with a bit of modification. I wanted a self contained, portable unit for Outdoors, covered Fish Tank and Grow Bed in Full sun that also looked OK. I think I achieved all the aims with this unit.
Gary . . . remember the IBC you kindly gave me at Xmas time? Well, this is what happened to it!

Have clad it in 75mm EPS core Colorbond metal panel, Grow Bed rolls to give top access to Fish Tank. Pipe work yet to be finalised but should be up and ready for cycling next W/E.
Original MegaBin system still powering along nicely with some Gold fish and Silver Perch with Herbs in GB.

Cheers IanK

[Shane]

Snazziest IBC I've ever seen, great end result Ian.

[GaryD]

Hi Ian,

Gary . . . remember the IBC you kindly gave me at Xmas time? Well, this is what happened to it!

Well, here's the thing. I need it back.

Seriously, it's an excellent conversion......and a great example of what can be done with recyclable materials.

The sliding grow bed is a nice twist

Gary

[Privatteer]

Nice job on tiding it up.
Just a little concerned about the weight when you have it in the open position. If the tops full and the water level low in the base could ?
1) top overbalance with a misplaced hand?
2) whole unit topple over?

[kellenw]

Nice craftsmanship!

[bunya boy]

Nice job on tiding it up.
Just a little concerned about the weight when you have it in the open position. If the tops full and the water level low in the base could ?
1) top overbalance with a misplaced hand?
2) whole unit topple over?

I have designed it so that the rear overhang still leaves the GB Centre of Gravity well within the Fish Tank footprint by about 150mm.
The unit will normally be handled from the front and will not be accessed from the rear when the GB is Open, so no extra pressure from handling to the rear edge.
The Gravel will be "banked" up towards the front half in the Grow Bed to provide more mass at the front to prevent toppling.
I'm sure the FT, even when half full (about 400kg), provides enough inertial mass to prevent overturning (GB when full should have a mass of <300kg).
I'm fitting the bristle curtains at the moment (just cutting up the 600mm wide broom head) and will test again when in final position.
The "middle" castors also provide some level of anti-topple, being rear of centre, held in place by the Angle track turn up, the worst I can see happening is that the GB may tilt backwards and lift the front castors off the track.

Let you know how we go when it is in it's final position.

Cheers IanK

[MarkEinOz]

Ian,

Hooley Dooley that is a sweet setup. You are quite a handy bloke to have around!! The only thing I can think of to improve the stability of the GB as it rolls back is to employ a swinging support stand like ambulance gurneys that auto drops down to support once you slide out far enough.

Apart from that - I want one!!

[Crusty]

Sign me up! How much are they? Is that some form of insulating panel? Ian, I really like that for a "out the back door herb garden". Would not push any density but what a cool set up and how good does it look? Can't wait to see it planted!

Well done mate.

[froggo]

Hi IanK,

looks great, interested to see how the system performs with the insulation.

God bless, froggo.

[bunya boy]

Mark and Privateer,
I have taken on board your suggestions about tipping, toppling and over turning and have come up with what I think is an elegant solution that will work.
HOLD DOWN CLAMP.jpg

Instead of moveable legs or bulky/operable or fixed external framing to hold "UP" the rear of the Grow Bed, I have used a simple sliding Angle Clamp system to hold "DOWN" the front of the Grow Bed! using the Cantilever principle.
This provides a solution that requires no intervention from the operator to come into action, is available at all positions of the Grow Bed and is unobtrusive yet perfectly safe. I will do it this w/e and show pics. I reckon I will be able to sit on the extended Grow Bed at the back and the unit will still be stable!

Crusty,
It cost me about $350 for all new stuff, I had a lot of left-overs! and yes the cladding is an insulation layer(75mm thick EPS).
The insulation won't Heat or Cool the FT, but will stop major fluctuations in water temp when the unit is outside in the ambient environment.

Thanks all for your kind words,

Cheers IanK