7 Ways Homesteaders Can Use Tote Containers
- By Cory Levins
- 25 abr 2019
Finding creative ways to repurpose materials can be a very enjoyable part of homesteading, and one material that sees a lot of use is the intermediate bulk container, often called an IBC tote. These strong, sturdy totes are used across many different industries for the transportation of liquid goods. But, as many gardeners, farmers and other independent living enthusiasts have learned, they’re good for much more!
Air Sea Containers offers used and new IBC totes for all kinds of customers with all kinds of needs, so we love seeing how these versatile containers can be put to great use. Here are seven awesome ways that folks have found to use IBC totes on the family homestead—for agriculture, entertainment and more.
Collecting nature’s bounty of rain is one great way to use an IBC tote. They have the advantage of being much larger than the 55-gallon drums typically used as rain barrels, allowing far more water to be collected. With a modest investment in materials and a little bit of DIY know-how, it’s fairly easy to convert one into a rainwater collection system—this handy guide can even show you how!
IBC totes are great for storing large amounts of potable water. Their stackable design means they occupy a smaller footprint than 55-gallon barrels while also holding considerably more water. Most also have the advantage of coming with a built-in spout to easily dispense the stored water.
For this one, you’ll want to ensure that you purchase one of our food grade totes—Air Sea cleans and reconditions all totes, but reconditioned totes are not FDA-approved for food or drinking water storage. You should also note that after the tote has been filled, moving it may require it to be emptied again first. Finally, you’ll want to ensure that you keep the totes away from light and change the water every few months to keep it clean and pure.
These ingenious systems use a tiered design to create a self-sustaining ecosystem for a garden and a fish “pond.” IBC totes’ stackability makes them ideal for aquaponic setups, allowing the garden tier to be placed on top of the fish pond and creating an all-in-one system from just one tote (or more, if you’re so inclined.) For larger aquaponic operations, it’s easy to string a system of multiple totes together. Again, you’ll want to make sure that you have food grade totes for this project since you may eventually be eating the final products.
IBC totes make a great home for raising rabbits, whether you’re keeping them as livestock or as pets. This DIY rabbit hutch uses an IBC tote to create a perfect two-level home for two rabbits. The coolest feature? How easy it is to turn the cut-out section into a hinged door to easily let your rabbits in and out!
Nothing beats composting for rich gardening soil, and an IBC tote compost bin is the perfect way to do it, particularly if you’re gardening on a larger scale and want a high-capacity composter. All that’s necessary are some holes drilled, a larger hole cut into the tote for easy access and a compost mixture given a shake every day or two. Voila! Rich fertile soil, perfect for gardening.
IBC totes also make excellent watering troughs for cows, horses and other livestock animals. They’re tough enough to stand up to being left out in the elements, and the metal cage helps further increase the durability. Since the tote has to be cut apart with a reciprocating saw, it’s recommended to use a sander afterward to smooth down any sharp edges—this will help to protect your livestock from injury.
Finally, we’ve got one that’s just for fun. With just a tote, a pool noodle, some zip ties and basic tools, you can create an awesome plastic kiddie pool to give the kiddos some wholesome summer entertainment. (For the grown-ups, there’s also these personal hot tub projects!)
These seven ideas are just the beginning of all the great and useful projects that can be made with IBC tote containers! From gardening and animal husbandry to old-fashioned family fun, it’s easy to get creative with these awesome and versatile totes. Contact Air Sea Containers today to find out how to get quality IBC totes shipped straight to you at a great price.
Air Sea Containers offers used and new IBC totes for all kinds of customers with all kinds of needs, so we love seeing how these versatile containers can be put to great use. Here are seven awesome ways that folks have found to use IBC totes on the family homestead—for agriculture, entertainment and more.
1. Rainwater Collection
Collecting nature’s bounty of rain is one great way to use an IBC tote. They have the advantage of being much larger than the 55-gallon drums typically used as rain barrels, allowing far more water to be collected. With a modest investment in materials and a little bit of DIY know-how, it’s fairly easy to convert one into a rainwater collection system—this handy guide can even show you how!
2. Potable Water Storage
IBC totes are great for storing large amounts of potable water. Their stackable design means they occupy a smaller footprint than 55-gallon barrels while also holding considerably more water. Most also have the advantage of coming with a built-in spout to easily dispense the stored water.
For this one, you’ll want to ensure that you purchase one of our food grade totes—Air Sea cleans and reconditions all totes, but reconditioned totes are not FDA-approved for food or drinking water storage. You should also note that after the tote has been filled, moving it may require it to be emptied again first. Finally, you’ll want to ensure that you keep the totes away from light and change the water every few months to keep it clean and pure.
3. Aquaponic Gardens
These ingenious systems use a tiered design to create a self-sustaining ecosystem for a garden and a fish “pond.” IBC totes’ stackability makes them ideal for aquaponic setups, allowing the garden tier to be placed on top of the fish pond and creating an all-in-one system from just one tote (or more, if you’re so inclined.) For larger aquaponic operations, it’s easy to string a system of multiple totes together. Again, you’ll want to make sure that you have food grade totes for this project since you may eventually be eating the final products.
4. Rabbit Hutch
IBC totes make a great home for raising rabbits, whether you’re keeping them as livestock or as pets. This DIY rabbit hutch uses an IBC tote to create a perfect two-level home for two rabbits. The coolest feature? How easy it is to turn the cut-out section into a hinged door to easily let your rabbits in and out!
5. Compost Bin
Nothing beats composting for rich gardening soil, and an IBC tote compost bin is the perfect way to do it, particularly if you’re gardening on a larger scale and want a high-capacity composter. All that’s necessary are some holes drilled, a larger hole cut into the tote for easy access and a compost mixture given a shake every day or two. Voila! Rich fertile soil, perfect for gardening.
6. Livestock Watering Trough
IBC totes also make excellent watering troughs for cows, horses and other livestock animals. They’re tough enough to stand up to being left out in the elements, and the metal cage helps further increase the durability. Since the tote has to be cut apart with a reciprocating saw, it’s recommended to use a sander afterward to smooth down any sharp edges—this will help to protect your livestock from injury.
7. Kiddie Pool
Finally, we’ve got one that’s just for fun. With just a tote, a pool noodle, some zip ties and basic tools, you can create an awesome plastic kiddie pool to give the kiddos some wholesome summer entertainment. (For the grown-ups, there’s also these personal hot tub projects!)
These seven ideas are just the beginning of all the great and useful projects that can be made with IBC tote containers! From gardening and animal husbandry to old-fashioned family fun, it’s easy to get creative with these awesome and versatile totes. Contact Air Sea Containers today to find out how to get quality IBC totes shipped straight to you at a great price.
