Possibly painting Craftsman tub for quarantine tank.

[b33fsquatch]

I'm thinking of options for making a quarantine tank and I've seen in a lot of videos that some people use heavy duty plastic tubs. I found one that I like, but it's black and I'd like the fish to get at least a little light in there when the lid is on so my cats don't get to them. My first instinct is to paint it, but I'm not sure how go about it and if it will be safe for the fish. Can anyone advise me on this?

 

[cdr63corv]

Personally I don't think I'd paint a plastic tub. Paint gets brittle and most plastic tubs I've seen flex under weight. Bad combo, wouldn't think it could be good for fish.

 

[b33fsquatch]

This is why I ask. That never would have crossed my mind. Thanks. I just wish they made heavy duty tubs in lighter colors.

It also just struck me that I can just hot glue an led light to the lid, lol.

 

[FishDin]

If you haven't bought it yet, get a clear tub instead. Paint isn't going to provide light. If the tub is black and you put the lid on, it won't mater what color you paint it. Maybe use a clear lid or cut a large hole in the lid and hot glue a piece of glass or plexiglass over it.

If you hot glue a light to the underside of the lid, make sure it is rated for wet environments.

 

[b33fsquatch]

My big problem is finding a clear tub that can carry more than 75lbs. 30 gallons of water weighs around 300lbs.

 

[FishDin]

Got it.

Why do you need such a large QT?

 

[b33fsquatch]

It will be for two ranchu goldfish. Research tells me they'll need 30 gallons.

 

[b33fsquatch]

In addition to the light, I can also put a white dish on the bottom of the bin, which will reflect more light.

 

[Fishfur]

My big problem is finding a clear tub that can carry more than 75lbs. 30 gallons of water weighs around 300lbs.

You could put it on a plywood trolley to move it around or if it’s to be on a stand, fill it after it’s up there.

Some plastic bins need a little support to control bowing out due to water pressure. Usually a horizontal support across the middle will do that.

 

[b33fsquatch]

You could put it on a plywood trolley to move it around or if it’s to be on a stand, fill it after it’s up there.

Some plastic bins need a little support to control bowing out due to water pressure. Usually a horizontal support across the middle will do that.

oh I'm definitely getting a stand. It's rated for 450lbs. The black bin I'm looking at is the only bin I've found so far that can carry it's capacity in water.

Could you elaborate on the horizontal support? I'm an absolute newb to what you're talking about.

 

[John58ford]

With big plastic tubs, building a "belly band", usually with 2x4 sticks, is how we get them to keep shape. Before you fill out build a little frame to hold a ring of 2x4s around it, they only need to touch in the middles of the long sides. That frame could be attached to a wheel dolly or similar to make it so you can move the fish around as needed. I've seen these used a few times when huge tanks needed plumbing worked on. There are allot of fish that need the space of a large tote, stackable stock tanks tank up too much space and are pretty expensive but they're the best best option.

 

[cdr63corv]

Maybe I'm over thinking this but 2 x 4 braces etc are expensive add the tote. Lumber isn't cheap. If you can wait petco has sales on tanks often. Maybe use a tote on the floor for emergencies.

 

[b33fsquatch]

honestly with all the effort, I might as well just get a new tank for the $50 price difference. Thanks to everyone for helping me think this through before making a regrettable purchase.

 

[MasterPython]

I have not seen a clear plastic tub I would trust to be filled with water inside a building. And I don't know about the UV stability for outside.

 

[John58ford]

Maybe I'm over thinking this but 2 x 4 braces etc are expensive add the tote. Lumber isn't cheap. If you can wait petco has sales on tanks often. Maybe use a tote on the floor for emergencies.

An 8' 2x4 is about $6. To brace a tub that's 24" x 18" it would take 2 of them and a dozen lag screws (pre drill for big lags). Can be done for less than $15. A brute or Rubbermaid tub that size is ~$30, or less if you thrift it or happen to have one full of Christmas junk etc you can borrow for a week. When you're done, mark the 2x4 parts where they attach a-a, b-b, c-c etc and disassemble. Tape a bag with the screws to one of them and lean them on the wall in the garage, give the tub back to your significant other and thank her for her patience. A year from now you might need a quarantine, hospital tank or temporary storage for fish, while fiddling with plumbing; now it's both free, and has been out of sight out of mind for a year. Can't store Christmas junk in an empty fish tank if ya get me. That's why some of us use this method. The friends I have in saltwater have a few of these tubs nestled together to store their water changing stuff. When the stuff hits the fan next time, they are ready.

I agree if you wanted a real qt tank, all the time, it's better to just buy and set up another tank, but this really isn't that bad to have around if you blow a hole or break a bulkhead doing maintenance.