It's pretty much how it sounds. Top containers cascade into tier below and below then water collects in a sump that is pumped back to the top. There are lots of variations possible.
The best cheap insulation is the earth if you can dig down. The colder the weather, the deeper you need.
You can keep fish in almost anything. I've used plastic sheet in box trailers, vegetable garden beds, waterproofed wooden boxes, joined plastic barrels etc. Just use what's available to you, a bit of imagination and lots of effort/enthusiasm.
I ended up owning 10 aquarium shops, an import facility and aquarium/pond maintenance business before I decided to retire and breed interesting fish for fun instead.
The best cheap insulation is the earth if you can dig down. The colder the weather, the deeper you need.
You can keep fish in almost anything. I've used plastic sheet in box trailers, vegetable garden beds, waterproofed wooden boxes, joined plastic barrels etc. Just use what's available to you, a bit of imagination and lots of effort/enthusiasm.
I ended up owning 10 aquarium shops, an import facility and aquarium/pond maintenance business before I decided to retire and breed interesting fish for fun instead.
