5 Creative DIY Projects Using Repurposed IBC Tanks

An IBC tote cut in half horizontally gives you two large raised garden beds, each roughly 48 inches long, 40 inches wide, and 18 inches deep. The steel cage holds everything together and provides a surprisingly attractive industrial-chic frame for your garden.

Materials Needed

• One used IBC tote (Grade B or C works perfectly)
• Reciprocating saw or angle grinder with a cutting disc
• Landscape fabric
• Potting soil or garden mix (approximately 15 cubic feet per half)
• Drill with 1/2-inch bit for drainage holes
• Optional: exterior spray paint for the cage

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Clean the IBC thoroughly. Even for garden use, rinse the interior with a pressure washer and a mild detergent. If the tote previously held chemicals, check our IBC cleaning service for professional decontamination.
2. Mark your cut line. Using a marker and a straight edge, draw a line around the entire IBC at the halfway point of the plastic bottle. The cage has horizontal bars that make a convenient guide -- typically the second horizontal bar from the bottom is close to center.
3. Cut the cage and bottle. Using a reciprocating saw, cut through the steel cage first, then the HDPE bottle. Work slowly around each side. Wear safety glasses and gloves.
4. Drill drainage holes. Flip the bottom half over and drill six to eight 1/2-inch holes in the bottom of the plastic liner for drainage. The top half already has the large opening, so you can drill drainage holes in what was the top panel.
5. Line with landscape fabric. Lay landscape fabric inside each half to prevent soil from washing out through drainage holes while still allowing water to pass.
6. Fill with soil and plant. Fill each bed with a mix of potting soil, compost, and perlite. Plant vegetables, herbs, or flowers. The depth is excellent for tomatoes, peppers, squash, and root vegetables.

Pro tip: Position the half with the original bottom valve facing down -- you can attach a hose to the valve for a built-in drainage system.

A 275-gallon IBC tote holds more than enough water for a small goldfish or koi pond. The steel cage provides structural support that eliminates the need for expensive pond liners or concrete work, and the entire setup can be partially buried for a more natural look.

Materials Needed

• One used IBC tote -- a Grade A food-grade tote is ideal for fish safety
• Reciprocating saw or angle grinder
• Pond pump and filter (rated for 300+ gallons)
• Pond-safe silicone sealant
• Decorative stones, aquatic plants, and fish
• Optional: pond liner for extra leak protection

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Remove the top of the IBC. Cut the cage and plastic bottle along the top horizontal bar, leaving the bottom roughly 36 inches tall. This gives you a deep, open-top tank.
2. Seal the bottom valve. Remove the butterfly valve and cap the opening with a threaded plug and pond-safe silicone. Alternatively, seal the valve in the closed position with silicone for a reversible approach.
3. Excavate and position. Dig a hole slightly wider than the IBC and deep enough to bury the lower two-thirds. Set the IBC into the hole, backfill around it with gravel for drainage and stability.
4. Install the pump and filter. Place a submersible pond pump on the bottom. Run tubing to a canister filter or a DIY biofilter made from a five-gallon bucket filled with lava rock. Return filtered water to the pond via a small waterfall or fountain.
5. Disguise the edges. Stack natural stones around the exposed rim to hide the plastic and cage. Plant ornamental grasses and creeping ground cover around the perimeter.
6. Cycle and stock. Fill with dechlorinated water, run the pump for at least two weeks to establish beneficial bacteria, then introduce fish gradually. Start with two or three goldfish and add more once the biological cycle is stable.

Pro tip: Paint the interior of the HDPE liner black with pond-safe paint to reduce algae growth and give the pond a more natural appearance.

Rainwater harvesting is one of the most practical and popular uses for repurposed IBC tanks. A single 275-gallon IBC captures the runoff from roughly 450 square feet of roof during a one-inch rain event. In the Omaha area, where annual rainfall averages around 30 inches, that translates to thousands of gallons of free irrigation water each year. Check out our rain barrel and IBC collection for tanks specifically suited to this purpose.

Materials Needed

• One or more used IBC totes (Grade A or B recommended)
• Downspout diverter kit
• Fine mesh screen or first-flush diverter
• Garden hose adapter for the bottom valve (2-inch to 3/4-inch reducer)
• Overflow fitting and hose
• Cinder blocks or a level pad for elevation
• Opaque paint or UV-resistant tarp to block sunlight

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare a level pad. Place cinder blocks or pour a small concrete pad next to the downspout. The pad must be level and strong enough to support 2,300 pounds (the weight of a full 275-gallon IBC). Elevating the tank by 12 to 18 inches improves gravity-fed water pressure.
2. Position the IBC. Set the tote on the pad with the bottom valve facing outward for easy hose connection.
3. Cut and connect the downspout. Install a downspout diverter at gutter level that redirects water into the IBC when the tank is not full. Cut a hole in the top cap of the IBC to accept a standard 3-inch or 4-inch downspout.
4. Install a mesh screen. Place a fine stainless-steel mesh screen over the inlet to keep leaves, debris, and mosquitoes out. A first-flush diverter is even better -- it discards the first gallon of dirty roof water before filling the tank.
5. Add an overflow outlet. Drill a hole near the top of the IBC and install a bulkhead fitting connected to a hose that directs overflow water away from your foundation.
6. Block sunlight. Paint the exterior of the HDPE bottle with an opaque, UV-resistant paint, or wrap the tank in a tarp. This prevents algae growth inside the tank.
7. Connect to your garden. Attach a garden hose adapter to the 2-inch butterfly valve. For drip irrigation, connect a pressure regulator and drip tubing directly to the valve.

Pro tip: Daisy-chain multiple IBCs by connecting the overflow of one tank to the inlet of the next. This multiplies your storage capacity while keeping each tank independently accessible. For more on Nebraska water conservation strategies, see our guide on Nebraska water conservation with IBC tanks.

Standard backyard compost bins hold 10 to 30 gallons -- barely enough for a small household. An IBC-based compost bin holds up to 275 gallons of organic material, making it perfect for serious gardeners, small farms, or households with large yards. The enclosed design retains heat, speeds decomposition, and keeps pests out.

Materials Needed

• One used IBC tote (Grade C is fine for composting)
• Reciprocating saw
• Drill with 2-inch hole saw bit
• Black spray paint (optional, for heat absorption)
• Hardware cloth or chicken wire for ventilation covers

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Remove the top panel. Cut the top of the IBC bottle and cage off completely. This becomes your loading opening. Optionally, hinge the cut panel back on with zip ties so it can serve as a lid.
2. Drill ventilation holes. Using a 2-inch hole saw, drill 12 to 16 holes evenly spaced around all four sides of the IBC, starting about 6 inches from the bottom. Cover each hole with hardware cloth secured with screws and washers to allow airflow while keeping rodents out.
3. Paint the exterior black. Optional but recommended. A dark exterior absorbs solar heat, raising the internal temperature and accelerating decomposition. This is especially effective in Nebraska's sunny summers.
4. Keep the bottom valve. The original butterfly valve at the bottom of the IBC drains compost tea -- the nutrient-rich liquid that seeps down through decomposing material. Place a bucket under the valve periodically and use the tea as liquid fertilizer.
5. Position and fill. Place the compost bin on a level surface in a sunny area. Begin layering green (nitrogen-rich) and brown (carbon-rich) materials. Aim for a ratio of roughly 3 parts brown to 1 part green by volume.
6. Maintain the pile. Turn the compost every two to three weeks with a pitchfork through the top opening. The enclosed IBC design retains moisture well, so you may not need to water the pile as often as an open bin. Expect finished compost in 8 to 12 weeks during warm months.

Whether you need a rinse station by the pool, a post-gardening cleanup spot, or a rustic campsite shower, an IBC tank makes an excellent gravity-fed outdoor shower. The 275-gallon capacity provides dozens of showers before needing a refill, and in summer, the sun heats the water naturally through the translucent HDPE walls.

Materials Needed

• One used IBC tote (elevate for gravity pressure)
• Shower head with hose attachment
• 2-inch to 3/4-inch valve adapter and garden hose fittings
• Privacy screen or pallet-wood enclosure
• Gravel or paver base for drainage
• Black spray paint for solar heating

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Elevate the IBC. Position the tank on a sturdy platform at least 4 to 6 feet above the shower area. A reinforced wooden platform, concrete block tower, or hillside placement all work well. The higher the tank, the stronger the water pressure.
2. Paint the tank black. Spray the exterior of the HDPE bottle with flat black paint. This transforms the IBC into a solar water heater. On a sunny Nebraska summer day, the water inside can reach 80 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Connect the plumbing. Attach a 2-inch to 3/4-inch reducer to the butterfly valve. Connect a garden hose from the reducer to a shower head mounted on a post or wall at your desired height.
4. Build a drainage pad. Lay a 4-by-4-foot gravel pad beneath the shower area to absorb water and prevent muddy puddles. Slope the gravel slightly away from any structures.
5. Add privacy. Build a simple three-sided enclosure from reclaimed pallets, cedar fence boards, or outdoor fabric panels. A circular curtain rod with a shower curtain also works for a quick solution.
6. Fill and enjoy. Fill the IBC with a garden hose. The sun will warm the water throughout the day. For cold-weather use, you can add an inline tankless water heater between the IBC and the shower head.

Pro tip: Install a simple float valve connected to your garden hose inside the IBC so it refills automatically whenever the water level drops below a certain point.