Rubbermaid instead of tank?

[LiveMermaid07]

Hi!
Would there be any problems with using a rubbermiad or sterlite (clear) container in place of a tank? (At least till I can get a proper tank.)

Thanks!


opcorn:

c:

 

[sushiray]

Hi!
Would there be any problems with using a rubbermiad or sterlite (clear) container in place of a tank? (At least till I can get a proper tank.)

Thanks!


opcorn:

c:

I'd say wait. what size, what type of fish, how many, etc.

 

[vampie]

Should be fine. I know some people who use them for container ponds with fish, or for raising live food like scuds and daphnia.

 

[mel_20_20]

:welcome: Hi, LiveMermaid... welcome to AC!

Sterilite containers from Wallyworld are cheap and great! I'm using one right now as a temporary tank. You can actually see in there pretty good, especially if there's a light over it.

Just be sure to use adequate filtration. Check the size of the container and make sure how many gallons it holds, then get the right filter. For that matter, if you think your going to get a 55 then get the filter for that. Actually, over filtering is a great thing, so if the filter is rated for a 50 gallon but the container is holding 10 gallons that's OK. (that's my situation)

Also, you want to get a good heater. One that automatically keeps it at a set temp is good, and also cuts itself off when the water level drops, don't want to cook your fishies.

I have a Visitherm Stealth 200 watt. It is awesome. You just set the temp on the dial and it does the rest. Another heater I had, you had to keep turning the dial and then seeing what the thermometer said. I had to keep trying to adjust up or down until I finally hit on the right spot on the dial.

Thermometer... yup... need one of those. One of those glass ones with a suction cup is good, but I moved up to a digital that is so cool, has an LED that shows the temp.

If you get one of those containers with a translucent lid you can even adapt it to accept the filter and such. You will have to cut out sections for the HOB. If you don't have fish that are jumpers, you could do with out the lid. If you do have fish that are prone to jump then you have to have something over the top. A screen or the lid or something.

I have a tank light that I lay across the top, though it's very important that you secure it well so it doesn't fall into the tank. With the light on, especially, I can see surprisingly well in the tank. Not as clear as glass or acrylic, but it really works pretty good.

Long winded answer to your question, sorry, Yes sterilite is an excellent tank. Oh, don't ever use any soap to clean any of your buckets, containers, siphons, etc. Just rinse with tap water really well.

Again, welcome to AC!:thm:

 

[benzjamin13]

I actually use one to house my Frog

 

[cam191919]

yup, just be sure to brace it, those things sure do bow out when full of water

 

[kyryah]

I use a big tub as a QT. The only draw back is that you can't quite get a really good side view of the fish.

If you stretch a bungee cord across the top it will help brace the tub against the weight of the water. My mother used ropes to tie around a smaller (18 gal) tub to brace it also.

I use a HOB filter and an air stone and it works pretty well.

Kristina

 

[blue2fyre]

I used one for a while to grow out some fry without any problems.

 

[customdrum]

they have tupperwares about 90% see thorugh now and they work fine for temp. tanks. alot of people use them for fry, i used 1 for snails for months with no problems so no worrys!!

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I use them for all sorts of fish stuff. I have a 16 (or so) gal. sterlite I have been using for excess plants for several years now. It is always full of water and has never been braced in any way.