Diy Betta Aqurarium: Good, Bad, Even Possible?

this may be a stupid question, but I'm wondering if a diy aquarium is possible. I've seen people use clear totes as a cheap, inexpensive aquarium/ pond/ tank for their fish. I'm partially interested, as this might save me a few bucks, and I can get more item for my future betta's care & enrichments. but I'm also worried about it being bad for them, possibly toxic.

any idea? is it ok for them, is it bad, and what else should I know before making this decision?

 

Any food safe plastic is fine and really most plastic totes are good to. Loads of people use them with no ill effects.

 

When I impulsed bought some bettas I used ice cream pails ( Was washed out and used many times before for holding fish gravel and stuff.)

 

MAKE SURE THEY ARE BRACED! I had one and the sides busted after a month.

 

I’ve had a few of my bettas in 4 gallon plastic storage containers for about a year with no issues.

 

You can use any of the options above, build your own with glass and silicon, or a few dozen other options. Many betta are farm-raised in soda and wine bottles (with daily water changes, NOT RECOMMENDED!!). But if you want something inexpensive, keep an eye out in thrift stores or on craigslist/other online classifieds for people giving away setups. Might take some elbow grease to get clean again, but sometimes you can get a really great deal (even free), for decent tanks.

 

My LFS sells old tanks for very little. I think a lot of them are old display tanks - looks like they had tags on the front and so forth. Just got a ten-gallon to grow plants up in. Two dollars. Got it filled halfway now, going to fill it up all the way and leave overnight if it shows no signs of leaking. These are sold as “no guarantees” and are not the handsomest tanks - ugly blue paint job on three sides and the sloppiest silicone I ever saw - but, two dollars. Could be worth asking.