Hydroponic aquaponic aquaculture cheap tank, tray

Recycling is always at its best when it represents a free alternative to a commercial product. Reclaimed industrial plastic containers are usually free or cheap. However, it's important to know a little about what was in them to know how to clean them. If they're even worth cleaning. Some plastic items are too dirty or hazardous. I get my plastic drums from the water treatment plant. Pallet tanks are more of a here and there item. Landscape companies often get water-color shipped in them for wood mulch. It pays to ask around your local industries.

If you're going to build an aquaculture or aquaponics system, I've found that pallet tanks work great for fish. Hydroponics are easier and usually require only drums. Cut them with a handsaw, a power saw is not needed or recommended.  Fill the half-barrel trays with pea gravel as substrate for your plants, it costs around $20 a ton. Coco coir works well for some plant types and is a recycled product.

New tanks and trays for a recirculating system are very costly and many of them require drilling and installation of  fittings; just like re-purposing pallet tanks and drums. In addition, you're preventing more plastic from going to the land fill.