Can storage totes be used instead of an aquarium?

[Sgooosh]

I’ve actually heard that strawberries do EXTREMELY well with aqua phonics, I will look more into the raspberries though. I want to do herbs too! And kale and spinach

oh cool! i saw foo the flowerhorn's video and the strawberry was tiny lol
raspberries might be spiky....
i think alliums do well and are good for fish too unless fish will eat

I saw some of these totes/tanks that are made by fiberglass.
They are stronger than the normal plastic though I have never used them before.
They are good as fish ponds for fish like Guppies, Koi, Goldfish, etc..

If I'm not wrong, some of these fiber glass tanks are now being used even in the bathrooms.

Some fiber glass tanks even have a window but will be more expensive.

Keep some fast growing plants to absorb any toxic(if there is) but I'm not sure how effective.

Some info about fiber glass tanks:

Top 8 Advantages of Fiberglass Tanks for Storing Fish

Are you searching for tanks to store fish for a longer period of time? Know about Fiberglass Tanks and it's advantages for storing fish.

www.gsctanks.com

Fiberglass Fish Tanks & Aquariums: Read This BEFORE Buying

Learn everything that you need to know about Fiberglass fish tank aquariums. Titan Aquatic Exhibits has over 50 years in fiberglass aquariums!

www.titanaquaticexhibits.com

How Long Do FRP Water Tanks Last? Belding Tank Technologies Inc.

What is FRP tank and what are the different factors to keep in mind when assessing the potential lifespan of your underground fiberglass water storage tanks?

www.beldingtank.com

There are many sizes from 39 gallons to 500 gallons.

Fiberglass Tanks

These tanks are used all over Southeast Asia in hatcheries and farms raising tilapia, shrimp, tropical fish, etc.

pentairaes.com

From other country. Just for your information.

Fiberglass Aquarium Fish Tank: Limitless Design Shape Colour - N30 Tank

N30 Tank customises fiberglass aquarium fish tanks of different shape, size, colours. Fiberglass is strong, durable, and makes for beautiful fish tank designs.

www.n30.com.sg

Fiberglass Tanks with Window

These models are gelcoated and have thick sidewalls. Raise tilapia, shrimp, tropical fish, etc. Rigid, 5-mm fiberglass is easy to clean. The tanks are sturdy and nestable for economical shipping. Add a filtration module to instantly turn the tank into a quarantine, holding or growout system...

pentairaes.com

Fiberglass Larval Tanks

These rugged, circular fiberglass tanks are ideal for Artemia/rotifer culture, hatcheries and small holding system larval growout. Made of reinforced fiberglass with a smooth, gel-coated interior. Flat bottom with vertical sides and a center drain port. PVC couplers are molded into the base of...

pentairaes.com

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/rubbermaid-structural-foam-stock-tanks-150-gal-capacity

By the way, don't forget your studies...LOL

wow thats expensive lol

Oooooooo very nice. I will look into those!



Hmm ok… so I would be better off choosing something that is made to hold up to regular sunlight or glass?


I am looking for anything 40 gallons or more. What would be a good price to pay for a used 75 gallon tank? Tank only, holds water. Minor scuffs that only detract from the appearance.

horse troughs? i'm sure they won't break down, but they might get hot...

 

[GaryE]

Oooo ok. And they held up? I had some cheap 55 gallon totes once and they bowed sooooo bad, almost cracked.

There is a huge difference between a 20 gallon and a 55 - I would expect a larger tote to bow and fail.

The only non flowers I've grown aquaponically have been herbs. I'm aiming for basil this summer, to carry over into winter. My set up is indoors though.

Used tank prices are really regional. And I was unable to grow daphnia in tanks because if they get sun, they heat up fast. For some reason, the thick black plastic tubs did well, while 33 gall tanks right beside them did poorly. I phased the tanks out. I was looking into plastic water reservoirs, but decided for my fishroom to use 3rd hand drilled glass tanks - I got 4 25s to do that job. I can get 50 gall totes locally, but as sturdy as they look - that's heavy.

 

[Stan510]

Haven't read all the comments but I have in decades past set up summer pools and they really do wonders for tropicals health and colors. The best were in the 8-12' diameter. But I have also set up the 4' blue plastic pools sold at Walmart. With those,watch out for predatory animals.
Home Depot does sell a large tote in heavy duty black that would make a great sump..but as a fish pool it could work. None of these are meant to have sunlight beat on them and you have to watch the plastic getting brittle.

 

[OliveFish05]

Thank you all for your help! Predators… ah. My little garden space to be is behind my garage… there’s probably a 30’x30’ space between the garage and 8 acres of field and woods. That’s my garden space. I will be fighting deer and raccoons mainly. Snakes are a possibility… we have possums too. Possums can fit through a 2” gap! I will have to look more into predator proofing… we have 2 rough coated collies who roam our property, nothing really comes inside their space. My garden space is just outside their underground fence… of course… I have loads of welded wire mesh, 1/2 inch. Could I make something of a cage to go around each thing?

 

[Stan510]

That's why a medium kiddy pool- 8-15' I think are the most common sizes are safest. They have a really narrow edge and at 18" - 4' deep that keeps out everything but bears. Those true fish ponds with a ledge and no cover? Are like donating your valuable fish to the Egret and Raccoon Gods.
If you go to the 4' and less than a foot? Plastic mesh is a must and even then Racoons might get the fish someway. With them mesh AND a fence around your collection of shallow pools is a start for good protection.

 

[OliveFish05]

That's why a medium kiddy pool- 8-15' I think are the most common sizes are safest. They have a really narrow edge and at 18" - 4' deep that keeps out everything but bears. Those true fish ponds with a ledge and no cover? Are like donating your valuable fish to the Egret and Raccoon Gods.
If you go to the 4' and less than a foot? Plastic mesh is a must and even then Racoons might get the fish someway. With them mesh AND a fence around your collection of shallow pools is a start for good protection.

Mmmm ok.

 

[Eejaybee56]

Are fish able to live in plastic storage totes? Would they leech harmful chemicals into the water? I am considering setting up some plastic storage totes and wading pools to grow aquatic plants this summer, and hoping to have some Pygmy sunfish and guppies in the totes and wading pool. I could get stock tanks, they are animal safe, but more expensive.

I use them to keep my fishys in when I do major tank changes and they can be in there for few hours. But if you are going to use them out doors, make sure they are on something so the base doesnt get damaged, and also they aren't weather proof, so over a while, the plastic will get brittle and break.

 

[OliveFish05]

Alright, I think I am going to go with horse troughs/stock tanks instead of totes. The stock tanks are just meant to be outdoors and last, it would be a better investment in the long run I think. Stock tanks and wading pools it is then!

That's why a medium kiddy pool- 8-15' I think are the most common sizes are safest. They have a really narrow edge and at 18" - 4' deep that keeps out everything but bears. Those true fish ponds with a ledge and no cover? Are like donating your valuable fish to the Egret and Raccoon Gods.
If you go to the 4' and less than a foot? Plastic mesh is a must and even then Racoons might get the fish someway. With them mesh AND a fence around your collection of shallow pools is a start for good protection.

I think I am thinking about something very different. This is what I am talking about. 4 feet wide, 8 inches deep. I am only considering this for floating plants and Pygmy sunfish, floating plants and guppies.

 

[Colin_T]

Yes you can use totes (plastic storage containers) for fish. Food grade safe are fine and most others are fine too. Avoid red, blue or black containers that aren't food safe because they sometimes leach chemicals into the water and if you don't do regular water changes, the fish can die.

I cut a section out of the lid and glued some plastic strips to it. Then put it back on the lid. I kept the lid on the containers to stop evaporation and stop fish jumping out. The lids also helped stop the containers bulging out at the top. They still bulge out are the sides but not as bad when they have a lid on them. The plastic bit I cut out of the lid is used to feed the fish and check on them. I had an air operated sponge filter in each container to aerate and filter the water. Plants were grown in pots and trays. There was no gravel or soil on the bottom of the containers.

You can glue or just rest some shade cloth on top of the containers if you live in a really hot climate. Or put up shade cloth sail over the containers to help stop them over heating.

The bigger the container, the better. You can bury them partially or compeltely in the ground to help keep the water temperature more stable. I never bothered tho and the fish and plants were fine.

Rain water tanks can be used but are expensive. Aquaculture supply stores do large above ground ponds but they are expensive.