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Category: Aquaponics | Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 3:38 pm

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Went to the scrape yard and got myself committed this morning, it is getting real exciting.


The commitment ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
Those drums filled up the Old Chariot.


The Hardware ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
I have no idea what the content of the 200litres drum was but it didn't have any foul smell and it is really clean inside. The 25litres drums were used for orang and apple cordials...... they smell pleasant.

It is nice to see the hardwares physically as it really take away lots of the guessing work. I laid them out on the area that they were supposed to be and they fitted well. Now I have to start looking for lumber for the racks to support the grow bed and keep the 200litres drum in place.

Next I'll have to modify the drums so that they are useable for the purpose. I have never modify a plastic drum before so I am wondering what would the best tool to cut it. A powered jig saw .... good choice but mine is broken, a blade???? These are heavy duty drums so i guess a blade is out of the question. I guess my best choice now is to Google it.





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Sjoerd wrote on Tue Jan 18, 2011 11:41 pm:

Well KK-- your load of goodies looks very interesting. It looks like you are committed now, for sure.
I was wondering what you would be using to cut them with....I was also wondering IF you had to cut them at all, or perhaps run the tubing through a small hole in the sides near the top. Less possibilities for mozzies to get into your water system and less evaporation...just a thought, I don't know if this is feasible or not.

Say KK--what kind of auto is that that you have there? I have been casually looking for one in that general style.

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toni wrote on Wed Jan 19, 2011 4:19 am:

My Hubby made my compost barrel and a rain barrel out of blue 55 gal drums like yours.
He used a jigsaw to do the cutting of the lid on the compost barrel and the water entrance on the rain barrel. He says you could also use a reciprocating saw.

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KK Ng wrote on Wed Jan 19, 2011 2:39 pm:

Yes I am and it is always exciting to see an idea becoming a reality. Didn't had much time today to explore what I can use to cut them yet but I think I can make use of a hacksaw blade holder kind of thingie which I saw in the hardware shop a couple of years ago. If I can I'll go and look for it tomorrow. I have to cut them to make them usable for the project. Mozzies will not be a problem because the fishes will make a meal of the mosquito larvas, it's a delicacy for the fishes ..hehe!! Right now I am still thinking how should I cut them, it is really important to know how excatly to cut them because if they are wrongly done then guess who will have to make another trip to the scrape yard!!

The auto is a 1997 model Nissan Serena MPV. It has a 2litres petrol engine with automatic transmission. I bought it new for my wife and it had really serve us well with no major problems. Been through the whole of Malaysia and Singapore in it without a problem.

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KK Ng wrote on Wed Jan 19, 2011 2:53 pm:

Thanks for the info Toni, I think what I had in mind that I mentioned in reply to Sojerd works in the same principle as a reciprocating saw but it is manually powered. If I can I get it tomorrow, I'll post a picture of it. Keeping my fingers crossed.

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Jerry Sullivan wrote on Wed Jan 19, 2011 9:19 pm:

Looks like a hole saw the right diameter and a power drill would work. The flange on the PVC fittings would have to be large enough to support the water weight and still have the threads fit through the hole. Gaskets for the fittings etc. Looks easy enough. Putting the PVC together without the glue will assure that there are no design problems. Glue one and test it for unseen issues. Looks like you are well on your way to a nice interesting spectator project. I know I can't wait for the next installment. Good luck.

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Sjoerd wrote on Thu Jan 20, 2011 1:39 am:

Sounds good, KK.
Of course the fish will eat those mozzie larvae. I saw that some losmen had fish in the mandi's and I presume it was to eat the larvae.

Good luck with cutting. Be careful, mate.

Thans for the auto type. I shall have a look.

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