Newbie here - can I keep my fish in a bathtub?

I'd second the rubbermaid storage container suggestion.
Any big plastic container - aslong as its stabil enough - would work. Farm supply stores sell big heavy plastic containers too - for various purposes and not expensive - and that way you can give the guy easily 50 Gallons.

I just dont think a bathtub is a very suitable - after all its huge - oddly shaped and there might be problems with the thing draining.
 
If you feel the 15 gallon tank you currently have him in is large enough, why not formulate a plan to get a larger tank? I think he'll be happier and so will you, if he's in a proper tank instead of a bathtub.

Check out Craig's list (http://craigslist.org) in your area, and see if anyone is giving away a tank, or selling one very inexpensively. I have found some great deals on Craig's list, including an entire 55 gallon set-up (tank, stand, filters, etc) for $50.

Keeping the fish for a long period of time is going to take money. If you've got a home he's happy in for the moment, I'd use it. When you're able to move up, then I'd start to consider what else you might consider adding and do it. For now, he's happy... leave him that way.

Joe
 
Sounds like a pain in the butt to me. And he'd only be visible from the top. What sort of light source are you going to use? Its tough to beat the convenience of an aquarium light hood.

Keep his current tank in good shape and he'll be happy. If he's digging around in the rocks, he's probably content. Remember, don't drastically change anything if the tank is very very old. If it needs a good cleaning, you can do it gradually over the course of a couple months. That way if the ph had dropped low, it will slowly raise to the level of your tap water. Also, fish can get used to high nitrate concentrations, so you don't want that to change too quickly.

My Oscar tries to intimidate me through the glass. I imagine another cichlid might do the same thing. As they get older, they seem to get wiser and more sociable.
 
I agree with jmattingly. It is very easy to find a really cheap setup if you keep your eyes out. Craigslist is especially good, also check local papers and garage sales. I found my 30 gal at a garage sale for 10 bucks, I also just recently got the complete setup for an 85 gallon tank, all I added was water and sand/rocks, for 150 bucks.
 
I love that you call him "fluffy"....

my thing is, if you can't afford the new tank, you surely can't afford a new filter that's big enough to support the water in the tub so my first choice would be to get a bigger tank. If you can't afford the 55 as suggested, try a 20 or 30...

what size filter are you working with right now.... how about a heater? If you have one, how many watts is it?
 
I would clean up the tank he was in and keep that until you could afford a bigger one or find a used one. I agree if he is rearranging his furniture he is probably content. Well maybe he's bored? Try adding some new plants, or a bubble wand.
sometimes you can get just a tank with out the hood/light combo and they are MUCH cheaper. Then you go to your local Glass repair store and get a piece of 3/8 plexiglas to fit it and find a used strip light on ebay. That's what I did and it didn't cost much. Looks good and my fish are happy.
With only one fish you could probably get by with a filter that is smaller than what you normally would need, saving some money. On the other hand if you keep him long you will fall in love and sooner or later be adding more LOL.
 
wow! i had no idea this board was so active... thanks for all the responses.

what you say makes sense. i seems that it COULD work, but that creating the new set up might be just as expensive as getting a bigger tank etc. and i hadn't thought about heat - it's an old clawfoot tub, and i bet it would get cold. a rubbermaid-ish tub is a thought...

thanks very much for your ideas, and for not laughing me out ;)

i've got a few more questions about general care and consideration... but i guess that would belong in another thread?
 
nchips said:
....i've got a few more questions about general care and consideration... but i guess that would belong in another thread?
Click to expand...

Probably - with a descriptive title you will get the best results that way.
 
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