New Idea For Tank Keeping

[Brundrake]

I have raised guppies before - in a 20 gal tank in my home and I have to say I got hooked back then. But sadly now in my new household - which I share with other university students there is NO room inside the house for any means of raising guppies inside


So I'm thinking of doing this a little differently, and please pay attention to the facts before you start jumping about saying that no this isn't a good idea.

Equipment
1 90-180 gal tank - it is deeper than it is wide... 180 gal tank is 70" X 58" X 24"
2 heaters
2 aerators - one in each corner - there is a connection allowing for up to three air stones to be powered by ONE aerator.
2 filters - one in each corner
plastic covering - protection against elements and birds/cats/other things
plastic dividers - to separate fry and different varieties of fish

Now here is a little more information about what is going to be this "different" project.


The tank is going to be outside, covered by the plastic covering as a means of protecting it from the elements and any creatures that would seek to make a meal of the fish.

There are two aerators, two filters, and two heaters. There will be one of each device in either corner of the tank as a means of ensuring that heat and filteration/aeration will be accessful for the entire tank and for all of the fish present.

The plastic dividers as stated before are going to be a means of dividing the fry and the parents as well as the varieties.

The backyard is fenced off so the only people that can get at the tank are myself and my roommates... and they are more than willing to leave the tank to me since it isn't taking up room inside the house... so someone putting something in the tank is unlikely.

As for the location, it will be getting sun during the later hours of the day from about 12 pm to 6 pm during the summer time. I'm not going to be adding the fish right away, first the tank's got to settle and cycle... but also I can use that extra time as a means of figuring out what temperature to set the heaters to ensure that the tank doesn't happen to get too hot.


I am of course going to be beginning with walmart/store bought fish as a means of ensuring that it works before I put some real money into some seriously bred guppy fish.

By the way, where I live it RARELY snows. It's entirely snow-free outside now and the only snow we had for the entire season lasted for about 2 days at the most




By the way, does anyone have a table to indicate the # of gals per Watt used in a heater? I am pretty positive on the size heaters I will need, but want to make sure

 

[Teelie]

My real concern is the temperature outside being too different from the heated water. Warm or hot water against glass on one side with cold or even freezing air on the other side is a disaster waiting to happen. Ideally you don't want a large difference between the temperature on the glass sides to avoid stress or cracking.

 

[Brundrake]

The tank isn't glass though, it's plastic...

So that should help to retain more heat



It's a see through thick plastic that my housemate - whom works with the stuff as a part-time job - has arranged into an oval shaped "tank"

 

[Durbkat]

Well in my opinion its not a good idea because when the sun hits it, it will raise the temp up high and then it will go back down to what ever temp the heater is set at at night which would be huge temp flucuations and that will harm the fish. Also why have a tank outside covered up when you can't even see it all the time like you could if it was in the house? If you really want a tank with guppies work out with your room mates if you can have a simple 20g in your bedroom that way it won't get in there way?

 

[Brundrake]

Actually, the covering is removeable... and see through so you would be able to get to see the fish quite well.

As is the tank itself - its see through plastic as mentioned above.


And I can't have a 20 gal tank in my bedroom - which I share with another person - because of these facts:
1) I share with another person
2) The bathroom is on the bottom floor
3) My roommate's a mess the likelihood of her knocking the tank and/or unplugging something is HIGH



By the way, keep adding suggestions...

I'll consider them all.



Mind you, I'm setting up the tank in the middle of summer - after my university courses end - so if the tank overheats before the fish are even added then I'll know that that will be a major danger/threat/obstacle for this project

 

[bogwood]

By the way, does anyone have a table to indicate the # of gals per Watt used in a heater? I am pretty positive on the size heaters I will need, but want to make sure

5W per gallon ie: 5g=25W, 10G=50W, 20G=100W... but that is based on 'normal' use...

 

[Durbkat]

Well no matter if its made of glass, plastic, or wood it will still have temp flucuations which is harmful for the fish. You could just get a 2.5g that would only need a light and get 1 male betta and place it in the living room or in your room, it doesn't take up much space and if your room mate unplugged anything on it, it would only be the light which wouldn't harm the fish. I wouldn't do it if you really want my opinion.

 

[riverman444]

Sounds like you will be making an algae farm to me.

 

[Jeff000]

Sounds like you will be making an algae farm to me.

lol, I was thinking more a money pit.
Seems it will cost a good amount to keep 1000 + watts of heaters going, plus the cost of "show fish" and upkeep.
Why not save your pennies to move out and then do things properly.

 

[Brundrake]

Move out... you've got to be KIDDING me.

I'm in university, I've got to pay for my courses, my books and also help a little with the rent in the household where I live with my roommates.

I move out, I'll barely be able to do that by myself and will have NO time for fish.



As for the last two posters, unless you've got some SERIOUS advice please don't post making it seem like I'm some sort of a fool

 

[rEvolution27]

just get a betta.
and what riverman said about the algea is true.

i'm not saying it's impossible but the time, effort and expense put into it may outway the rewards.. especially seeing as it's outdoors and your not gonna be sitting on a chair in the middle ow winter watching your fish.

You can get a small tank, an african dawrf frog or a betta, some shrimp maybe...
Guppies can live in small tanks. as for an outdoor tank... i don't heve too many ideas for that one except maybe a koi pond made out of an old bath tub.. that may have possibilities

 

[dwarfgourami]

Whereabouts in the world are you, Brundrake? If somewhere in the tropics, this idea might have possibilities; if in northern USA or England, I think it is taking too much of a risk.
Even plastic is not necessarily proof against big clashes of temperature, and if you are talking outside temperatures around zero, then there is no way an ordinary tank heater could cope with that: they are designed to raise tank temperatures a few degrees, starting from ordinary room temperatures. Of course there are people who have outdoor heated ponds, but then we're talking bigger money, powerful heaters and hardier fish than guppies.
If you live in Thailand of course it's going to be a different matter.

But if there is any risk of real winter temperatures, then I would do as a previous poster suggested and get a small betta tank or some frogs for indoors. And spend boring lectures planning your dream tank for post-university (Hey, I shouldn't have said that! I'm a university lecturer for goodness sake! Take that baaaack!)