Need help on DIY tank

[remme]

We're moving so I need to pack my tanks up to simplify my room for selling purposes. Sooooo I need a temporary holding tank for my cichlids. I have a pvc 20" high pool with an 8' diameter, 2 aqua clear 500, 2 penguin 330's and a pool filter from on of those inflatable pools kits, never been used I think the flow rate is like 600gph. my question is if I set this up in central jersey come maybe the end of april how will it hold up weather wise/ water temp wise etc. What else do I need? etc etc etc...I did a search and couldnt find any info. Its only temporary for the summer. The new house should be ready by sept. '05. Please any personal experience or even found websites would greatly help. Thank you! Ive been posting this everywhere possible!
Mike

 

[Cat]

Is this being kept under cover in anyway from rain? otherwise that could be a problem.

 

[N8DOGG]

What does the rain do? Lower PH? other than maybe acid rain what are other problems with outside ponds and rain?

 

[Bmeasure]

I don't see a big problem unless there is drastic weather during this time. I've kept several fish outdoors for the summer (even a bit long into fall) and had little to no problems. The only problems would be from predatory Herring birds, or other animals with access and the will to catch fish.

You don't need to have acid rain to lower the pH from what the fish have been kept in. Normal rain is generally lower in pH than ground water, simply because they get mineral residue on land. It really depends on what your tapwater is like. The rain is awesome, though, for the reason that if it rains enough, the pool will overflow and drain some nutrients from the water. I did one water change on my 30 gallon buckets in 4 or 5 months, but in Georgia we get quite a bit of rain. My fish ended up breeding!

 

[remme]

Its being kept under neath a covered deck thats completely gaurded from the outside predators, only way in is thru a locked gate. So you think itll work, it wont get to hot in the central jersey summer?

 

[DHR]

My guess is it'd be OK unless there's an unexpected cold snap.

 

[Cat]

and even then worst case and you have a cold snap get a couple of heaters from your lfs. and look out for any neighvours cats going fishing, or herons! (not such a problem if its under cover.)

As for rain water, I have a Vat of it outside and wondered about using it for my tank thinking it would be better than tap water, but rain water carries a lot of pollutants and a certain degree of acid apparently, if you look at a large body of rain water the colour is quite greeny brown. its not enough to harm a large body of water like a river but its not good for a tank.