keeping fish in containers...

So, could you keep fish in a big plastic tub? I, as usual, am scheming to get more fishies ;D ;D So anyway, I was thinking like a mini-pond type of thing. I know you can get like 30 gallon clear plastic storage bins--would these hold that much water? I could make a lid out of somehting and get a strip light, and I'd have to see about what kind of filter would work, and forget a heater. I was thinking like Zebra Danios, White Clouds, Hillstreams, and Ghosties. Like, is this even possible?? I mean, I don't see why not as long as all the fish's needs were met...I guess the main consideration is if a plastic thing would support that much water...of course I could leave it only like half-full and make a river kind of habitat...what do you guys think about this? Just an impossible dream, or could it work?

 

I've thought of this before too... like an indoor pond. With maybe a little waterfall or something (my thoughts at least). I'm interested to see what others think.

 

I have a 55 liter plastic container that came with a lid. It's almost see thru. I used it for awhile to hold pre-conditioned water for water changes so I know it will hold the water. Would you be using lighting? The lid of mine is not that stiff or sturdy so you may have to rig up your own lid. Let us know how it goes. 8)

 

Yeah, if this ever happened I'd find some way to rig a light over it...you know how you can buy "strip lights", just the light fixture without the canopy/hood...I'm not sure how I'd rig it on though...

I know what kind of container you mean, I have a 19 liter one for my water changes (my tanks are small...). Anyway I've seen ones just like it except huge, I think I calculated one to be like 30 gallons. I'm using another 19 liter one (it's about 5 gal) for a q tank, but every time I pass the storage section at Target I can't help but imagine little fishies swimming in everything... ;D

 

I know what you mean. Sunday a made a trip to Tallahasseed Fl. It's about 50 miles from where I live. I wanted to find the Petco there cause I'd never been to one before. Well, I found it and ended up walking around and looking at EVERYTHING that had anything to do with fish. I spent two hours just looking. I was broke and riding my motorcycle so I couldn't buy anything. But I did spend three dollars on this cute little thingy that floats on the top of the water, it's got a big hole in the middle that you put the fish food in and it keeps it from being blown all over the tank when you feed the fish. My black male molly learned quickly that it was the food arena. Now he hangs out there all the time looking for more food.

 

I love food rings! It is all that keeps the pellets that miss the mouths from going all over and me having to go after them. Noel is the only one who is that messy of an eater, but he gets too excited by the idea of food. LOL

Back to the subject - the containers would probably be okay if they were the translucent kind or at least let some light in. If they were completely opaque, I am just afraid you would fight a constant brown algae problem. Those diatoms erupt whenever there isn't much light. Lighting will be the problem if there are any problems. Heating would work and so would filtration and as long as it is a new container, there shouldn't be a chemical problem. It should be really nice. It may not be able to much of a planted tank, even with translucent sides and a light over the top there is still going to be a real low-light setting.

Rose

 

someone on plantgeek did that on his Deck

 

Well, you see what a good problem-solver I would be...I think the problem is going to be getting a tub that will hold water, but it's actually the lighting! Good grief I don't even know what the problem is. :
The tub I am thinking of is almost completely clear. And of course since I would have to make my own hood, I could put as many lights over it as I need. Hmmm, this is not a bad idea! A half-price 30 gallon tank! ;D ;D Maybe I will be able to get my Neons after all! I wonder also if I densely planted it and understocked it if I could get away with less water changes. I will start another thread about that...

 

I think that I might do that on the patio with no hood or lights just natural day light and water

 

I can't do that cause I live in Minnesota...I don't think any heater could combat the -20 degree weather in the winter...