Storage Tote As Tank?

My bettas are in tanks ranging from 2.5-5 gallons. I can get a 16-17 gallon storage tote from Walmart for $5. If possible, I would like to divide those totes to use as permanent homes for the bettas. I'm running out of outlets, so being able to use 2-3 outlets for heaters, filters, and lights for say all the females would be great. Is it possible to use a clear storage tote as a permanent tank? If so, what should I use to divide it?

 

So a couple comments here.

1. I would actually use multiple. They are dirt cheap.
2. I would recommend just getting a larger power strip with surge protection.
3. Killifish people keep killis in plastic shoe boxes from walmart all the time. I personally keep daphnia in one.

My unvarnished thoughts.

 

At one point I had just under 20 bettas in 8 of those, and then some singles in shoe totes. Yes. You very easily can.

You can use 1 filter and heater for up to 3 fish in divided totes, but I would recommend no more than 2 per tote because nothing will be consistant in each cell.

USB LED strips are like 3$ on ebay, a USB 4-way splitter with off switch is 2$, so you will need just 1 outlet for 4 lights.

If you get an air pump, sponge filters and a splitter, you can double up the filters, and you will save a lot of filer outlet space.

 

All my outlets in the fish room have power strips with surge protectors. I'm at the point where I would need battery operated air pumps in order to run them. As of lights, I can get LEDs for free that are battery operated or regular from a friend.

 

I use them all the time to grow plants and excess guppies, they work great except the only good viewing is from the top. I don't know how to divide them.

 

All my outlets in the fish room have power strips with surge protectors. I'm at the point where I would need battery operated air pumps in order to run them. As of lights, I can get LEDs for free that are battery operated or regular from a friend.

I want more tanks again... you are not helping my MTS. LOL

You may want to go for a larger central air pump.

 

I think you should be fine using it as a tank, just make sure you get food grade plastic so it won't leach harmful chemicals.

 

My current fish room has at least 4 main electrical outlet panels. Each has a 6-8 outlet power strip with surge protection. Granted, this is my current fish room, there will either be another fish room or larger fish room in a new house soon. My husband got tired of me complaining about running out of space in my fish room, so a new/another one it is! I guess you could say I have a bad case of MTS.

 

Get as clear as possible. I think most fish appreciate a bit of light for some of the day. I have some non-clear tubs on the porch but they get some fairly strong light from the top a few hours a day.

 

Any ideas on dividing it? The divider would have slits to allow air flow, a sponge filter would be in each compartment, or both with an HOB in the middle compartment. I woul also like it to be planted, so any ideas on low light plants are more than welcome. I know I would like Anubias Nana as it's by far my favorite and seems to grow well under LEDs. Substrate will either be gravel, gravel with root tabs, gravel capping dirt, sand with root tabs, sand capping dirt, dirt, or plant substrate. Dirt would be potting soil. Which would you recommend?

 

I'm thinking about making DIY dividers. This first attempt will be with my female bettas. Well, some of them. For the dividers, I'm considering the plastic canvas/mesh with bindings or straws. I can get 7 proper sized plastic mesh sheets for under $2. I'm not sure about bindings, but I have straws lying around. Could I get by with this? What would you suggest for males? I considered leaving them separate, but dividing would be easier for me.

 

I'm thinking about making DIY dividers. This first attempt will be with my female bettas. Well, some of them. For the dividers, I'm considering the plastic canvas/mesh with bindings or straws. I can get 7 proper sized plastic mesh sheets for under $2. I'm not sure about bindings, but I have straws lying around. Could I get by with this? What would you suggest for males? I considered leaving them separate, but dividing would be easier for me.

Dividing is fine for most males as long as they can't jump over the top or wiggle through the sides. Just make sure you get black mesh and use most decor around the mesh so sight lines aren't much.

I used these sliding bards for my plastic mesh dividers:

 

I maintain three "fish tanks" of this style: one 20 gallon tote, a 28 gallon tote, and a 40 gallon cattle trough. I would recommend finding a heavy duty tote if you're considering something 20 gallons or more. The typical plastic storage tote will warp and bow due to the volume of water.

 

I hate to divide my males as in a divided tank they can sense each other and will be stressed. I considered a low light carpet over the mesh to block out sight.