PET plastic

[Seed_Lord]

Not sure if this is the right forum, if not please move please

I've been using small PET plastic containers for guppies for a little while now with no issues (cheaper than tanks, for a breeding project)

I'm looking at trying to source a larger container to maybe buy small discus or koi to grow then sell on, not to make any major money just for a bit of fun really.

But how safe are using the PET plastic containers in reality? The guppies seem happy enough but I'm not sure with discus or Koi. Would I be better off buying one of those plastic pond liners which should be submerged underground? this will be going into a flat so obviously they would be free standing.

Any ideas welcome

Thanks

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Not sure if this is the right forum, if not please move please

I've been using small PET plastic containers for guppies for a little while now with no issues (cheaper than tanks, for a breeding project)

I'm looking at trying to source a larger container to maybe buy small discus or koi to grow then sell on, not to make any major money just for a bit of fun really.

But how safe are using the PET plastic containers in reality? The guppies seem happy enough but I'm not sure with discus or Koi. Would I be better off buying one of those plastic pond liners which should be submerged underground? this will be going into a flat so obviously they would be free standing.

Any ideas welcome

Thanks

Both koi and discus...and even the common goldfish, all have specific needs that really cannot be met on the cheap.

 

[Seed_Lord]

Both koi and discus...and even the common goldfish, all have specific needs that really cannot be met on the cheap.

Care to expand on that?

I kept discus in a 50 gal tank and they were happy and breeding. Im not looking to throw them into a small body of water or anything. Just some PET containers are cheaper than the pre-formed pond of the same volume.

Ive checked online and a 110 gallon pre formed pond was about £200 which can be free standing. That would what I would be inclined to use for koi. Keeping in mind id be putting tiddlers in there. My Dad keeps koi so im sure I can get advice from him on keeping them.

Reason I'm avoiding glass set ups is purely cos of cost, when I can use a cheaper plastic alternative. I said nothing about doing anything on the cheap bar the container theyre kept in

 

[Spyro]

Not sure if this is the right forum, if not please move please

I've been using small PET plastic containers for guppies for a little while now with no issues (cheaper than tanks, for a breeding project)

I'm looking at trying to source a larger container to maybe buy small discus or koi to grow then sell on, not to make any major money just for a bit of fun really.

But how safe are using the PET plastic containers in reality? The guppies seem happy enough but I'm not sure with discus or Koi. Would I be better off buying one of those plastic pond liners which should be submerged underground? this will be going into a flat so obviously they would be free standing.

Any ideas welcome

Thanks

I fail to see what the "safe" difference is?

 

[Seed_Lord]

I fail to see what the "safe" difference is?

I'm asking if PET plastic is safe for discus and koi. Coming from the carp family im sure the koi would be ok like the guppies but discus are a bit more sensitive from what I know. I came here for a bit of expert advice and all I've gotten is a bit of attitude. Its not hard to just give me an answer to the question I've asked. Sorry for being rude.

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Care to expand on that?

Sorry...got called away and posted my response prematurely.
Your idea has lots of merit, especially for the koi. I wouldn't know how PET would react to being warmed and holding potentially acidic waters.

I fail to see what the "safe" difference is?

PET plastics are wrongly accused of dissolving and passing on toxins to the consumer. This is essentially cobblers. They are used extensively (and safely) in both food and drink packaging.
However. they can grow brittle over time, depending on the type of PET plastic used. I'd also be wary of their unknown interaction with varied treatments/medications used in fish care, (although perhaps a glass quarantine tank would serve, if such substances were required).
There are pros and cons for using opaque containers, (obviously, clear PET is available), so may not be appropriate for Discus, where you want to see the sides of the fish. Koi maybe less of an issue.*

A mate of mine grew koi upto a size in his bath, with bunches of weed and a bank of air stones! He'd grow up to two or three at a time. It became a problem when he had to sell them on, because he'd grown attached to his 'babies'.

(He also had a shower for his own hygiene).

 

[Spyro]

I'm asking if PET plastic is safe for discus and koi. Coming from the carp family im sure the koi would be ok like the guppies but discus are a bit more sensitive from what I know. I came here for a bit of expert advice and all I've gotten is a bit of attitude. Its not hard to just give me an answer to the question I've asked. Sorry for being rude.

I'm asking you what difference in being "safe" between the plastic container and lining set up do you perceive?
They are both made of plastic and both will be as strong as you make them be. Or is does 'safe' mean something different in your mind?
If it's not a top secret, maybe you could elaborate instead of giving us the attitude

 

[Seed_Lord]

Sorry...got called away and posted my response prematurely.
Your idea has lots of merit, especially for the koi. I wouldn't know how PET would react to being warmed and holding potentially acidic waters.

PET plastics are wrongly accused of dissolving and passing on toxins to the consumer. This is essentially cobblers. They are used extensively (and safely) in both food and drink packaging.
However. they can grow brittle over time, depending on the type of PET plastic used. I'd also be wary of their unknown interaction with varied treatments/medications used in fish care, (although perhaps a glass quarantine tank would serve, if such substances were required).
There are pros and cons for using opaque containers, (obviously, clear PET is available), so may not be appropriate for Discus, where you want to see the sides of the fish. Koi maybe less of an issue.*

A mate of mine grew koi upto a size in his bath, with bunches of weed and a bank of air stones! He'd grow up to two or three at a time. It became a problem when he had to sell them on, because he'd grown attached to his 'babies'.

(He also had a shower for his own hygiene).

Thank you for explaining. I'll keep that all in mind.

 

[Spyro]

Sorry...got called away and posted my response prematurely.
Your idea has lots of merit, especially for the koi. I wouldn't know how PET would react to being warmed and holding potentially acidic waters.

PET plastics are wrongly accused of dissolving and passing on toxins to the consumer. This is essentially cobblers. They are used extensively (and safely) in both food and drink packaging.
However. they can grow brittle over time, depending on the type of PET plastic used. I'd also be wary of their unknown interaction with varied treatments/medications used in fish care, (although perhaps a glass quarantine tank would serve, if such substances were required).
There are pros and cons for using opaque containers, (obviously, clear PET is available), so may not be appropriate for Discus, where you want to see the sides of the fish. Koi maybe less of an issue.*

A mate of mine grew koi upto a size in his bath, with bunches of weed and a bank of air stones! He'd grow up to two or three at a time. It became a problem when he had to sell them on, because he'd grown attached to his 'babies'.

(He also had a shower for his own hygiene).

Yeah, that makes sense.

 

[Seed_Lord]

I'm asking you what difference in being "safe" between the plastic container and lining set up do you perceive?
They are both made of plastic and both will be as strong as you make them be. Or is does 'safe' mean something different in your mind?
If it's not a top secret, maybe you could elaborate instead of giving us the attitude

Sorry. Just safe in general to keep the fish in. Id make sure they were strong enough.

Ive had bad experiences on this forum years ago from a couple of select users who gave vauge ratty answers to maybe what they percieved to be stupid questions. So I apologise for snapping.

 

[Spyro]

Sorry. Just safe in general to keep the fish in. Id make sure they were strong enough.

Ive had bad experiences on this forum years ago from a couple of select users who gave vauge ratty answers to maybe what they percieved to be stupid questions. So I apologise for snapping.

As far as cheap plastic container goes: I'd make sure to not keep it in direct sunlight. They lose elasticity and crack fairly quickly when exposed to direct sunlight. (after 6 months or so, I wouldn't be confident they wouldn't crack)
That's the only thing I'd suggest. (plastic lining seems to hold up a lot better and for longer with sunlight)
+ whatever Bruce said up there.

GL

 

[Seed_Lord]

Cheers mate. Will keep all in mind thanks for responses

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Discuss are extremely sensitive creatures that shouldn’t be kept in plastic, regardless of how “safe” the plastic is. They need a large, clean, and well established tank.

 

[Colin_T]

There's no money in discus, don't waste your time on them.

If you want fish that sell, common livebearers (guppies, platies, swordtails and mollies), angelfish and some of the tetras. Rainbowfish can be worth breeding if you get good quality fish. Angels are the best bet tho.

Any food safe plastic container is fine.

I kept my fish in plastic storage containers. Avoid using coloured plastic (blue, green, black, red, etc) because the coloured plastics sometimes leach toxic chemicals into the water. White or semi transparent are the best.

 

[Seed_Lord]

Discuss are extremely sensitive creatures that shouldn’t be kept in plastic, regardless of how “safe” the plastic is. They need a large, clean, and well established tank.

Yeah I was weary of this. I have a 55 Gallon tank my Dad no longer needs which I'm going to use for them now It will come with 2 internal cycled filters and I have 2 large cycled sponge filters that will go in and add another and phase out the internal ones.

There's no money in discus, don't waste your time on them.

If you want fish that sell, common livebearers (guppies, platies, swordtails and mollies), angelfish and some of the tetras. Rainbowfish can be worth breeding if you get good quality fish. Angels are the best bet tho.

Any food safe plastic container is fine.

I kept my fish in plastic storage containers. Avoid using coloured plastic (blue, green, black, red, etc) because the coloured plastics sometimes leach toxic chemicals into the water. White or semi transparent are the best.

Its not so much about money I guess, just a hobby, any money would be a plus point. I really love discus so want to keep them again so planning on buying some 3-3.5 Inchers then growing them on. Hopefully get some pair off too. If I don't get too attached then will sell them on, even if any small profits cover the cost of keeping them I'd be happy.

I'm currently breeding guppies, wanted to try a cross of red dumbo mosaic males with green snakeskin females, results have been interesting. Currently setting up more tanks to play around with some other strains.

for the guppies I'm using these PET clear containers I've picked up from B&M which are perfect. Just set up another two tanks this morning, got some filters that have been cycling so fish will go in in a few days maybe. I've had to be lax with saving fry due to lack of space, but the male I've chosen to continue breeding with has I think 4 females with him, 2 have a more blueish/purplish tail and the others more green, all mosaic. Male has this cool kinda solid part to his upper body then the rest is like the snakeskin. Lovely tail on him too.


Thanks for the replies guys