Plastic Bins?

[kevinthecow]

Could I use it? would it work with a heater/filter, anything else? What are the pros/cons? I'm trying to get a cheap way to set it up, for my science fair project.

So, what are the pros/cons? (This will be used for a betta, + maybe a frog, or so.)

 

[Colin_T]

I gather you want to house a fish or frog in a plastic bin/bucket that contains 5 gallon or more. If so then yes you can do that and I often use buckets (2-5gallon) for holding and rearing up baby fish during their first month of life. You can use a filter in it and a heater but some plastics can melt when the heater touches the sides or bottom. Therefore you should have some gravel or sand on the bottom so the heater doesn't melt the plastic. Heater suction holders work well too.

Pros
cheap way to get a large water container to keep fish in.
easy to clean and disinfect. Plastic won't be damaged by bleach whereas silicon (the glue used to hold glass tanks together) will.
lightwieght so can be easily moved by one person if the need arises. Obviously the container needs to be empty before moving. Glass tanks can be heavy and if dropped will break and leave glass everywhere.

Cons
most plastics are not UV stabilised and break down after a couple of years, even inside under fluorescent lighting. The plastics also break down with heat, again from the lights.
you can't see into the container from the sides and it makes looking at your fish more difficult. It is also more difficult to identify and diagnose diseases in a bucket compared to a glass tank.
the plastic bends out of shape with the water pressure

 

[kevinthecow]

Colin, you're a huge help! I'm just worried about the first con, you talked about. I can get gravel, probably a sponge filter, but no heater. ):

 

[Colin_T]

you will notice when the plastic starts to degrade. It will change colour and fade. It also starts to crumble and release a gritty substance, a bit like salt or sand. Then over time it becomes weaker and then one day you pick the container up and it breaks. They usually break around the top where the lights have been. But if you empty them every year and flick them with your fingers, you will quickly see which ones need replacing and which ones are fine.
I used them outside and simply replaced them every couple of years. They were great for pond plants and raising fry and infusoria.

 

[Jazzzz]

ihad a plastic tank break the other day split from the top about 5" down I knew it was on its last legs though.

Short term or temporary i think they are great but long term i wouldn't bother

 

[Jdubz]

hmmm sounds interesting what sort of bin are we talking about here? normal black waste bins or a different type?
"Thinks" could be on to something!

 

[Colin_T]

I use plastic storage containers. Usually the 60, 90 or 120litre ones. They are semi-transparent and come with a lid and have plastic rollers under them. I cut a hole in the middle of the lid and fit the lid to the container. That stops fish jumpin out and reduces evaporation.

 

[kevinthecow]

If not plastic, is there any other material I could use instead of glass? At my lps, 11 dollars (CAN) for half a gallon. -__-;

At walmart, 30ish dollars for 3-2 gallons. Seems like a waste, since I can get a 5 gallon for that much. I'm looking for a $20 and under tank.

 

[Colin_T]

you can use any container that is waterproof and won't rust. You could line a metal can with plastic and use that, tho it doesn't look very neat.

 

[kevinthecow]

ill try waterproof.