10 gallon gecko tank as fish tank

[BlackMolly99]

I just got a 10 gallon gecko tank. Would that work as a fish tank?
I got it for free so I can't lose anything off of it.

 

[kattiq]

I would think so as long as you do a leak test and make sure it's clean
Does it have a lid too?

 

[00MagicKarp00]

Did you fill it up with water to check for leaks or cracks?

 

[BlackMolly99]

I haven't filled it up with water yet. I'm still cleaning it out( there's a reason it was free lol).
It sort of has a lid. The screen was broken so I tore it off, but it still has the sliding part.

 

[kattiq]

I haven't filled it up with water yet. I'm still cleaning it out( there's a reason it was free lol).
It sort of has a lid. The screen was broken so I tore it off, but it still has the sliding part.

Free tanks are sometimes the best for sure! I think as long as it doesn't have any leaks it would be good. As for a lid you can always get another screen for cheap. Some fish like to jump, or in my case, my cat would be dipping his toes in for a little snack. haha

 

[BlackMolly99]

I've heard that the glass is to thin, and it will bow eventually. Is this true? Or will I just have to test it out myself?

 

[kattiq]

I've heard that the glass is to thin, and it will bow eventually. Is this true? Or will I just have to test it out myself?

I've never really heard of a glass lid bowing per say, but I would just test it out and see what happens?

 

[BlackMolly99]

I've never really heard of a glass lid bowing per say, but I would just test it out and see what happens?

Sorry, I meant the actual tank. Not the lid.

 

[kattiq]

Sorry, I meant the actual tank. Not the lid.

Ohh, hmm that I am not sure about. But could possibly be an issue since it's technically not made to hold water? I guess look at it closely while doing a leak test, I would fill it to the brim and let it sit for a few days and see what happens.
If it doesn't work out, I do know that Petco/Petsmart do a $1 per gallon tank sale. And a 10g basic tank isn't all that expensive either anyways if you wanted to be on the safe side.

 

[BlackMolly99]

Ohh, hmm that I am not sure about. But could possibly be an issue since it's technically not made to hold water? I guess look at it closely while doing a leak test, I would fill it to the brim and let it sit for a few days and see what happens.
If it doesn't work out, I do know that Petco/Petsmart do a $1 per gallon tank sale. And a 10g basic tank isn't all that expensive either anyways if you wanted to be on the safe side.

OK. Thank you, I'll try that I'm in Canada so we don't actually have the dollar per gallon sales! I wish we did!

 

[mattgirl]

Sometimes tanks that have housed reptiles don't work out well for fish. You may want to read This thread. I can't swear the problem is being caused by what was previously in the tank but it is very possible.

 

[Nataku]

Can you post a pic of the tank? Odds are good that a basic 10 gallon was indeed actually a fish tank they just put a gecko in. The 'thin glass wall reptile tanks' people are talking about are usually exoterras which are not shaped at all like a normal fish tank anyhow - doors on the side obviously isnt going to hold water. So the thin glass is something of a moot point. The only 'thin glass for reptile tanks' I've ever seen that were shaped like normal fish tanks were 125 gallons, and yes they had notably thinner glass that an aquarium 125 does, but thats5 also not a 10 gallon. I doubt they even make different tankbwith different thickness glass at that size.

 

[BlackMolly99]

Ug sorry, I can't get a picture, because I'm using a desktop computer.
I've been cleaning it out, and I've done a bit of a test to see if it holds water, and so far so good
I also think Nataku is right, and the glass isn't thinner.

 

[kattiq]

Ug sorry, I can't get a picture, because I'm using a desktop computer.
I've been cleaning it out, and I've done a bit of a test to see if it holds water, and so far so good
I also think Nataku is right, and the glass isn't thinner.

Awesome!! Hopefully it’ll continue to hold so you can get your aquarium started sooner rather than later

 

[BlackMolly99]

It's taking a lot of time and elbow grease to clean it out!

 

[kattiq]

I've used the "magic eraser" its melamine foam and wow does it work wonders on water stains and stuff! Plus it is safe for aquariums. I don't know if they have it in your stores in Canada but it should be in the cleaning section if you don't want to wait on amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...6fb612a7b79d245f4481a0d5a76d6c&language=en_US

 

[BlackMolly99]

Wow, thanks! I'll definitely try that

Does anyone have any ideas on what I could do with this fish tank? I have a 20g without fish in it, because all the stores are closed. I'm kinda looking for ideas more out of the box.

It doesn't have a lid, light, filter or really anything but the tank. I might be able to get some of those things though

 

[kattiq]

You could swap plans and use the 20g to house more fish instead of the 10g?
Can use the 10g and make a shrimp/invert only tank if you wanted.

 

[BlackMolly99]

You could swap plans and use the 20g to house more fish instead of the 10g?
Can use the 10g and make a shrimp/invert only tank if you wanted.

Sorry, reading my post I saw I wasn't very clear. I'm planning on using the 20g for fish ( after stores open up), and the 10g for something a bit more unusual.

 

[kattiq]

Sorry, reading my post I saw I wasn't very clear. I'm planning on using the 20g for fish ( after stores open up), and the 10g for something a bit more unusual.

Oh okay that makes sense now!
Unusual as in not fish/aquarium related?

 

[BlackMolly99]

Oh okay that makes sense now!
Unusual as in not fish/aquarium related?

I'm open to anything really
Preferably not fish related. Although it can be.

 

[kattiq]

I'm open to anything really
Preferably not fish related. Although it can be.

Ahh ok, I mean I still stick by the invert tank personally, they are so cute and fun to watch.
I also have a smaller tank (5g) and I am going to start researching of doing just a single pea puffer tank for my work desk since I am working from home now.
Or you could get a gecko since that was what it was used for initially

 

[BlackMolly99]

I might set it up as a shrimp tank once the stores have opened up.
Thanks for the ideas!

 

[Imcrayfishareawesome]

you could do an axolotl growout tank. they can be kept with nothing but water and a tank.

 

[00MagicKarp00]

you could do an axolotl growout tank. they can be kept with nothing but water and a tank.

Not to be mean but axolotls are very messy and will definitely need a filter. They are also usually going to need some sort of way to cool the water.

 

[BlackMolly99]

Thanks for the ideas, but I think an axolotl would be a bit out of my budget!

 

[Imcrayfishareawesome]

Not to be mean but axolotls are very messy and will definitely need a filter. They are also usually going to need some sort of way to cool the water.

I've seen people keep them without a filter and do 80% daily water changes. said axolotl did not like filter flow. and in the average house, at least in our house, no chiller is needed for an axolotl