Resources
Most of what you need for aquaponics is available locally or on Amazon — no specialty suppliers required for the basics.
Containers & Tanks
IBC Totes
The workhorse of budget aquaponics. 275–330 gallon food-grade IBC totes work great for fish tanks, sump tanks, or cut-down grow beds. Used ones run $50–150 depending on what was in them — food-grade (juice, syrup, vinegar) is what you want. Avoid anything that held chemicals.
Where to find:
- Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace — search "IBC tote" or "275 gallon tote"
- Local food manufacturers and beverage distributors often sell empties
- Farm supply stores sometimes carry refurbished units
Stock Tanks
Rubbermaid or Tarter poly stock tanks are great for smaller fish tanks or grow beds. The 100–300 gallon range is most useful. Available at Tractor Supply, Coastal Farm & Ranch, Wilco, and similar.
Supplements
Most of these are at local garden centers but Amazon is often cheaper and more consistent for the aquaponics-specific stuff.
Chelated Iron
DTPA chelate is the right form for aquaponics at pH 5.5–6.5 — EDTA loses availability above pH 6.0 and EDDHA is overkill for most home systems. Look for 11% Fe DTPA.
Shop DTPA Chelated Iron on Amazon
Liquid Seaweed
Neptune's Harvest seaweed is what I use. Provides micronutrients and improves pest resistance. Most garden centers carry a seaweed product; Neptune's is easy to find on Amazon.
Shop Neptune's Harvest on Amazon
Potassium Silicate
Dyna-Gro Pro-TeKt or General Hydroponics Armor Si. Hydro stores carry it; most garden centers don't. Strengthens cell walls and improves pest resistance.
Shop Potassium Silicate on Amazon
Epsom Salt
Magnesium sulfate for magnesium deficiency — works well as a foliar spray. Available everywhere: grocery stores, garden centers, Amazon. Buy in bulk from a garden center if your system is large.
Oyster Shell / Crushed Limestone
Essential for rainwater systems with near-zero KH — provides buffering and calcium. Feed stores sell it cheaply in bulk as poultry grit supplement, which is far better value than garden center bags.
Where to find: Coastal Farm & Ranch, Wilco, Tractor Supply
Plumbing & Hardware
Home Depot and Lowe's cover 90% of what you need. A few things are easier to source online.
Standard PVC
Schedule 40 pipe and fittings, ball valves, and standard plumbing are at any home improvement store. Buy extra — you will make mistakes.
Bulkhead Fittings
Used to pass pipes through tank walls cleanly. Home Depot doesn't reliably stock useful sizes — Amazon or an irrigation supplier is easier.
Shop Bulkhead Fittings on Amazon
Uniseals
Rubber grommet fittings that grip PVC pipe through a drilled hole — simpler than bulkheads in some situations. Amazon only.
Grow Media
Expanded Clay / Hydroton
The standard choice — lightweight, pH neutral, and reusable. Good drainage and root aeration. Garden centers carry small bags; for volume, Amazon or a local hydro store is the better option.
Shop Expanded Clay Media on Amazon
Lava Rock
A genuinely cheap alternative available at yard supply and landscaping stores. Great surface area for beneficial bacteria, drains well, and is pH neutral. The downsides: it's heavy (expect 2–3x the weight of clay pebbles) and the sharp edges can be rough on hands when planting. Worth it if you're filling large beds on a budget.
River Rock
Another budget option from yard supply places, often even cheaper than lava rock. Smooth, so easier to work with than lava. The critical caveat: test before you use it. Some river rock contains limestone, which will steadily raise your pH over time. The test is simple: pour a little vinegar on a handful of rocks. If it fizzes, there's calcium carbonate present and you should skip that batch. Even with clean rock, the weight is significant, so factor that into your bed and stand design.
Amazon links above are affiliate links — purchases support this site at no extra cost to you.