PET plastic

[itiwhetu]

Always build tanks out of glass. Teach yourself how to do it. Pick up second hand 6mm glass from your local glazer they usually have to pay to dump it so are happy for you to take it away. Cutting glass is easy with practice. I had one glazier that was happy to cut my glass to size as long as I would take it away. Don't use plastic.

 

[Seed_Lord]

Always build tanks out of glass. Teach yourself how to do it. Pick up second hand 6mm glass from your local glazer they usually have to pay to dump it so are happy for you to take it away. Cutting glass is easy with practice. I had one glazier that was happy to cut my glass to size as long as I would take it away. Don't use plastic.

If I had a go at building my own tank I think the flat downstairs would be getting free showers I'm getting a 55gal from my Dad, which will do me, as we discussed in the other thread. Its not even that old and comes with stand, light etc.

So far with the plastic ones I'm keeping the guppies in they seem happy as anything. So I'm not too worried about that. Just I can pick up 4 5 gallon PET tubs for a tenner, as opposed to whatever the cost is for glass tanks...I think I paid £60 for a 8+ gallon tank from Maidenhead, came with built in lights (which arnt very good) and a filter which I didn't use as I use sponge filters, and I think that tank was on offer...

I'd obviously much prefer glass but with the outlay for potentially 10+ tanks for the guppies I just can't justify spending the money on glass tanks when the PET seems to be doing the job. If any problems arise I'll have to fork out for some glass tanks.

EDIT: P.S I'm coming to NZ once isolation stuff stops, whenever that will be. North Island though Looking forward to making the trip to Middle earth

 

[itiwhetu]

I take it that you don't need to use heaters on your tanks

 

[Seed_Lord]

I take it that you don't need to use heaters on your tanks

Yes of course I do.

 

[itiwhetu]

Yes of course I do.

Watch out heaters will melt plastic causing all sorts of problems.

 

[Seed_Lord]

I've had one plastic tank set up for about 2 months now and not had a problem but will keep an eye on it

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Watch out heaters will melt plastic causing all sorts of problems.

As long as it has a silicon suction cup with a bumper on it, it should be fine.

 

[noobfish]

Watch out heaters will melt plastic causing all sorts of problems.

Aquarium heaters don't get anywhere near hot enough to melt plastic. They're submerged in water which prevents the temp from rising to melting temps. You can put a plastic bottle of water over open flame and boil the water inside without melting the bottle.

 

[AbbeysDad]

PET and HDPE are considered safe for fish however they should be cleaned well prior to use as they will often contain remnants of silicone mold release from the molding process. I scrub using Dawn dish soap and rinse well.