Making An Aquarium Out Of A Plastic Bin?

[fry_forever!]

Hey guys. I got a couple mollies from the pet store, and I wanted to get them to heal any diseases they had. I don't have a quarantine tank at the moment, so I filled up a 1 gallon tank with some tank water from my 16 gallon fry tank. I monitored the water quality carefully, and though I did a 50% water change daily, the ammonia and nitrites shot up. (Obviously.) I decided that it was a stupid idea, so I grabbed a 4.5 gallon plastic bin from the basement, rinsed it out, and hooked up a 10-15 gallon filter on it. I again used some water from the 16 gallon fry tank.

So, here's my question, I know this was a stupid idea in the first place, so please don't get mad:
Will toxins from the plastic leech into the bin and kill the fish? It looks cloudy this morning, but I think that's because of a bacteria bloom. I'm getting some established filter media soon, (tonight) so I'm not too worried about it. I've had some fish survive quite a bit of crap. (Also the med I'm using makes the tank slightly cloudy...) Will carbon take any toxins out?

Also, the filter is at a big angle... Is that okay? It seems to be working great, it's just slanted a lot.

Okay, have to go to school. Will post a picture later.

Thanks for any help!

 

[aly_starh]

No, the plastic wont kill the fish, if the filter is working fine, it should be ok.

Pics please soon!

~betta_246

 

[bobross]

The plastic bins or plastic totes should be just fine. As a matter of fact, I've been using a 45 gallon plastic container to house all of my fish for a few weeks and everyone is doing alright. I'd take pics of mine but it's in a basement and sort of dark down there.

BobRoss

 

[fry_forever!]

Thank you very much.
Okay, here are some pics!
The "tank":

Above view:

Filter:

And the fish:


There ya' go, and thanks again!
BTW, are you SURE the filter won't break?

 

[keenonfish]

haha nice idea for emergencies!

 

[bobross]

No idea about the filter. If anything, could you rest anything underneath it? Like prop it up? Seeing that fish food container in the pics makes me think that, I guess.


BobRoss

 

[JoolsA2]

nice tank.

 

[aly_starh]

nice!!!!

 

[Jonty]

Think one of these could be used for a permanent Betta tank?

 

[fry_forever!]

Think one of these could be used for a permanent Betta tank?

Thank you very much!

Yes, this could be used for a permanent tank for any fish, as long as it is big enough. (Unless of course you guys are wrong about the toxins. You sure toxins aren't being released from certain plastics? Thanks!)

I'm actually thinking of leaving this tank up permanently. It's really pretty, and the bins come in big sizes.

 

[mbsqw1d]

HDPE (high density polyethylene)
PP (polypropylene)
polycarbonate are 100% good (food safe anyways)

http/www.hoax-slayer.com/images/plastic-code-detail.jpg

 

[mbsqw1d]

I'm gettin excited by this idea now fry_forever!!

http/www.solentplastics.co.uk/RUB145.jpg <- this is 145 Litres. Problem is that its not completely clear, but its £30!!

Anyone know how this is likely to perform when full of water?

 

[fry_forever!]

I'm gettin excited by this idea now fry_forever!!

[URL="http/www.solentplastics.co.uk/RUB145.jpg"]http/www.solentplastics.co.uk/RUB145.jpg[/URL] <- this is 145 Litres. Problem is that its not completely clear, but its £30!!

Anyone know how this is likely to perform when full of water?

I know! This is awesome! I am still very happy!

I AM STILL a little worried for some reason though. The recycling symbol is a 5, and I know 7 is not good, but I've heard 5 can be dangerous as well? (Most of these theories are just people over-worrying though.)

It will be perfectly fine with all the water in there. Just make sure you have something that can support the weight.