RPE (reinforced polyethylene) liner is an excellent liner for aquaponics projects. It can be used to line fish tanks that are installed in-ground or in a container above ground. Large, repurposed tanks from any number of sources can be a great way to save money on your initial setup, but if you’re not 100% sure exactly what’s been stored in them previously, that can be a safety issue. Fortunately, use of a high quality RPE liner, NSF rated for potable water, will provide the protection and confidence you need. RPE can also be used to ensure water retention by lining grow-beds, channels, and other water storage or transport systems throughout your system.
When you’re selecting your liner, RPE is an excellent choice because it is so highly durable, resistant to both tears and punctures, and resistant to chemicals that might have been stored in those used tanks. Your system is set up to last for years of production, and interrupting operations every few years to reline everything will be costly and frustrating. Since you’re using sunlight or artificial lights that are designed to reproduce light in the UV spectrum, you’ll need to look for a UV-resistant product that won’t degrade with exposure, even if you’re operating out of a basement. An excellent source for RPE liners designated NSF potable, and also available with industry-leading UV protection is BTL Liners. You can start by checking out their AquaArmor products at https://www.btlliners.com/aquaarmor.
