At IBC Kentucky, we sell IBC totes for liquid storage every day. But some of our most interesting customers are the creative DIYers, farmers, and makers who transform these industrial containers into something entirely new. Here are ten of the most creative IBC tote projects we've seen — with enough detail to get you started on your own.
1. Aquaponics System
This is probably the most popular DIY IBC project on the internet, and for good reason. An IBC tote can be cut and configured into a complete aquaponics system: the bottom section becomes the fish tank, the top section (inverted) becomes the grow bed, and a simple pump circulates water between them.
The fish produce waste that bacteria convert into plant nutrients. The plants filter the water for the fish. It's a closed-loop food production system built from a recycled container. One IBC tote can support a grow bed of about 12 square feet and a fish tank holding roughly 150 gallons — enough to raise tilapia, catfish, or trout alongside lettuce, herbs, and tomatoes.
2. Mega Rain Barrel
Standard rain barrels hold 50-60 gallons. An IBC rain barrel holds 275 gallons — nearly five times more. Connect the top opening to a downspout with a mesh screen (to filter debris), add an overflow port near the top, and you have a massive rainwater collection system for about the same price as two standard rain barrels.
Pro tip: paint the exterior of the bottle black or wrap it in opaque material to prevent algae growth from sunlight.
3. Raised Garden Beds
Cut an IBC tote horizontally at any height you want, drill drainage holes in the bottom, line with landscape fabric, and fill with soil. The steel cage provides structural support for the soil pressure, and the HDPE bottom ensures durability. A half-height IBC planter gives you about 13 square feet of growing space at a comfortable working height.
4. Backyard Fish Pond
Remove the top of the bottle, leave the cage for structural support, and you have an instant fish pond. Add a small pump and filter, some aquatic plants, and you can keep koi, goldfish, or mosquitofish. Sink it partially into the ground for a more natural look, or leave it above ground for easier maintenance.
5. Outdoor Shower
Mount an IBC tote on a raised platform (the higher, the better water pressure). Paint it black to create a solar-heated water supply. Run a hose from the bottom valve to a showerhead, and you have a gravity-fed outdoor shower with 275 gallons of solar-heated water. Perfect for pool areas, beach houses, or camping properties.
6. Compost Tea Brewer
Compost tea is a liquid fertilizer brewed by steeping compost in aerated water. An IBC tote is the perfect vessel — the large capacity allows you to brew enough compost tea for a serious garden or small farm. Add an aquarium air pump and air stones for aeration, a mesh bag to hold the compost, and a bottom valve for easy dispensing.
7. Dog Wash Station
Cut an IBC tote to about 18-24 inches high, smooth all cut edges with a heat gun or rubber trim, and add a drain fitting to the bottom. Connect a hose to the drain and route it to your yard drain. The HDPE is easy to clean, chemically resistant (no staining from shampoo), and the cage walls prevent your dog from jumping out.
8. Chicken Waterer
A single IBC tote can gravity-feed water to a large flock of chickens for weeks without refilling. Mount the tote on a raised platform, connect poultry watering nipples or cups to a line from the bottom valve, and your birds have a constant supply of clean water. The enclosed design keeps the water clean and prevents algae growth.
9. Emergency Water Storage
For preppers, homesteaders, and anyone concerned about water security, IBC totes are the most cost-effective way to store large quantities of water. A single 275-gallon tote holds enough drinking water for a family of four for over two months (at one gallon per person per day). Use food-grade totes, treat the water with appropriate purification, and you have a serious emergency reserve.
10. Biogas Digester
For the truly adventurous, IBC totes can be converted into small-scale biogas digesters. The airtight HDPE bottle is an excellent anaerobic digestion vessel. Feed it organic waste (food scraps, animal manure), and it produces methane gas that can be captured and used for cooking. This project requires more engineering knowledge, but the IBC tote provides an ideal starter vessel.
Getting Started
All of these projects start with a clean IBC tote. For food-contact projects (drinking water, aquaponics, edible gardens), use a food-grade tote. For everything else, a standard industrial grade works perfectly. At IBC Kentucky, we can help you select the right tote for your project and even do initial modifications like cutting and drilling if you need them.