Can I Make A Aquarium With Plastic Container

You know the large plastic containers they sell at walmart? Yes if I get one of those and the water heater and the water filter and the gravel and the decor and set it up as an aquarium will my betta fish die due to the toxic chemicals the plastic releases after being in water?

 

It depends on the type you get. Sterilite containers are food safe, so they're fine for tanks, but once you hit 10 gallons, they run the risk of breaking. HDX tubs are supposedly safe too.

 

For a betta I would just buy a 10 gallon tank. When Petco has their dollar per gallon sale a few times a year, you can get it for just $10. Even Walmart has a 10 gallon for like $12-$15 if I recall correctly, which is honestly about what you’d pay for a food safe tub anyway and comes with the added pleasure of being able to interact with and see your betta through the glass.

Edit: if cost is the issue, keep an eye on Craigslist and Facebook marketplace for used tanks. Lots of people give away 10-20 gallon tanks or sell them for cheap once they decide the hobby isn’t for them, often with all the supplies included.

 

yeah you can probably do this
I found a giant vase (7 gallons) as a diy aquarium. You might find it more enjoyable to find a giant second hand vase

or the 10 dollar sale like FiscCyning said... they don't have that in Canada so I always forget lol

 

The one I have my eyes on is about 6 gallons, but I'm not sure what time is it I'll have to check. By the way I'm a beginner so I don't really no much stuff but I have been researching the past week all about these fighters.

For a betta I would just buy a 10 gallon tank. When Petco has their dollar per gallon sale a few times a year, you can get it for just $10. Even Walmart has a 10 gallon for like $12-$15 if I recall correctly, which is honestly about what you’d pay for a food safe tub anyway and comes with the added pleasure of being able to interact with and see your betta through the glass.

really? I saw a 2 gallon tank for 40 bucks. I'm Canadian if that changes anything.

yeah you can probably do this
I found a giant vase (7 gallons) as a diy aquarium. You might find it more enjoyable to find a giant second hand vase

or the 10 dollar sale like FiscCyning said... they don't have that in Canada so I always forget lol

ahh lol

 

ohhh yea ... I'm Canadian too
I've had a lot of luck buying things on KijijI and facebook marketplace
but I live in Ottawa so I don't know how great it would be in your area

I think 5 gallons are going for about 25 dollars right now at petsmart. I saw someone post about a 6 day sale in a betta group

 

ohhh yea ... I'm Canadian too
I've had a lot of luck buying things on KijijI and facebook marketplace
but I live in Ottawa so I don't know how great it would be in your area

I think 5 gallons are going for about 25 dollars right now at petsmart. I saw someone post about a 6 day sale in a betta group

Hmm, that's nice, I might get one of kijiji.

 

Hmm, that's nice, I might get one of kijiji.

just make sure you actually measure the tank... the first tank I bought on KijijI the lady said it was 20 gallons
me being stupid, didn't say anything. I got home and it was only 10 gallons
usually people include everything with their tank for sale but even if they don't, air pumps and sponge filters are pretty cheap are good for bettas
I have 2 air pumps people from KijijI just gave to me for free

 

just make sure you actually measure the tank... the first tank I bought on KijijI the lady said it was 20 gallons
me being stupid, didn't say anything. I got home and it was only 10 gallons
usually people include everything with their tank for sale but even if they don't, air pumps and sponge filters are pretty cheap are good for bettas
I have 2 air pumps people from KijijI just gave to me for free

aight thanks for the help

 

My experience with plastic bin tanks is you will never be able to keep the sides clear. They either get covered in diatomes or they get all scratched up trying to clean them off.
I would definitely recommend a glass tank or a very large glass container of some kind. Unless you don't mind only seeing in from the top
Hope you find one that works for you.

 

The one I have my eyes on is about 6 gallons, but I'm not sure what time is it I'll have to check. By the way I'm a beginner so I don't really no much stuff but I have been researching the past week all about these fighters.


really? I saw a 2 gallon tank for 40 bucks. I'm Canadian if that changes anything.


ahh lol

I live In Canada and I went to my local pet smart and picked up a top fin 10 gallon kit for my brother witch includes filter heater and a hood with a build in light it’s was only 40 dollars so I would go with that

 

I live In Canada and I went to my local pet smart and picked up a top fin 10 gallon kit for my brother witch includes filter heater and a hood with a build in light it’s was only 40 dollars so I would go with that

WHAT? That’s a mad deal, I got a 0.8 gallon tank with lighting and filter for 45????

 

WHAT? That’s a mad deal, I got a 0.8 gallon tank with lighting and filter for 45????

Yea that’s such a good deal, if I had the space I’d upgrade my 5.5g for sure
Your bettas going to be so happy going from 0.8g to 10 if you end up doing this that’s wild

 

WHAT? That’s a mad deal, I got a 0.8 gallon tank with lighting and filter for 45????

Oof, that's rough. Definitely not worth it for a tank that can't even hold a single fish.

 

I have a sterlite container I have been using off and on for years as a grow out tank. It holds about 12 gallons of water. Twelve gallons fills it to within 3 inches of the top so without support it would bow out on the sides.

I made braces to fit across the top of it out of some heavy wire from wire clothes hangers. I bent the ends to where they would fit under the outside top lip. With 2 of these installed the sides of the container stay perfectly straight.

Algae does grow in it but that is mainly because I have it set up in front of a window. Some algae is a good snack for some fry. Right now I have my molly fry in it but since they are now pretty much full grown I will soon re-home them and will next put some cory fry in there.

All of this to say, yes a plastic tote can be used but if at all possible it would be better to get your little guy a proper home with filter, deco and heater.

 

I have a sterlite container I have been using off and on for years as a grow out tank. It holds about 12 gallons of water. Twelve gallons fills it to within 3 inches of the top so without support it would bow out on the sides.

I made braces to fit across the top of it out of some heavy wire from wire clothes hangers. I bent the ends to where they would fit under the outside top lip. With 2 of these installed the sides of the container stay perfectly straight.

Algae does grow in it but that is mainly because I have it set up in front of a window. Some algae is a good snack for some fry. Right now I have my molly fry in it but since they are now pretty much full grown I will soon re-home them and will next put some cory fry in there.

All of this to say, yes a plastic tote can be used but if at all possible it would be better to get your little guy a proper home with filter, deco and heater.

That’s cool, thanks for the help.

 

I posted yesterday that Petsmart has all their Topfin Kits on sale this weekend for 50% off. If you buy online, you can also add on an extra 10% off by using the promo code PETSUPERFAN at the checkout. Apparently this is not available Canada wide, so it will depend on where you are. You can get a great deal right now on various sizes of tanks!

 

My experience with plastic bin tanks is you will never be able to keep the sides clear. They either get covered in diatomes or they get all scratched up trying to clean them off.
I would definitely recommend a glass tank or a very large glass container of some kind. Unless you don't mind only seeing in from the top
Hope you find one that works for you.

I agree, the side usually have texture to make it look good, I would just buy a 10 gal. For my betta. You could do that, but you would never really know if it was 100% safe or not!! Good luck!!

 

I posted yesterday that Petsmart has all their Topfin Kits on sale this weekend for 50% off. If you buy online, you can also add on an extra 10% off by using the promo code PETSUPERFAN at the checkout. Apparently this is not available Canada wide, so it will depend on where you are. You can get a great deal right now on various sizes of tanks!

Omg it has to be in Ontario

 

HI I kept a Blackmoore in a 30 gallon storage tub for a while and he was fine just make sure to support the sides to help prevent bowing and also it does not look as nice as an aquarium but if your ok with that I would go ahead

 

HI I kept a Blackmoore in a 30 gallon storage tub for a while and he was fine just make sure to support the sides to help prevent bowing and also it does not look as nice as an aquarium but if your ok with that I would go ahead

Ok thanks