Plastic tanks

[GaryE]

I keep reading references to clear plastic tanks being used because they are easier to drill than glass, and can be put onto sump or easy water change systems. Most of the references come from European killifish discussions. The need there is for small tanks for breeding pairs, in the 20 to 40ltr range.

This seems sensible and interesting, but all I can find are semi-opaque bins. I don't expect glass-like clarity from plastic, but is anyone in North America finding such boxes to be made into tanks? I'm thinking of a drilled system for quick water changes, with the breeding results still highly visible in regular showtanks. The boxes I see in local hardwares are for storage, and I would like a good grade of safe plastic. I can drill 5 gallon tanks, but hope springs eternal that there's a lazy way forward...

 

[gimme30]

Maybe they're referring to the little tanks marketed to kids?

 

[Magnum Man]

I have a clear plexiglass 55 gallon, and got with my 250 gallon, a few white blow molded plastic tanks, for building a sump system, that type of plastic is not as brittle, and easier to drill and cut, but it is not clear, translucent enough to see the water level, but not clear enough to see a fish... my 100 gallon tank I use for RO storage is the same blow molded plastic, not clear... I'm not aware of that moldable plastic being clear... I've seen clearer plastic on gallon jugs, but assume it's just thinner, and not any clearer...

 

[GaryE]

Maybe they're referring to the little tanks marketed to kids?

I don't think so, because of the size (5 to 10 gallons) and 'drillability'. The hard plastic would be fragile. They seem to have a source of less brittle plastic, or they're simply more accepting of limitations. It'd be nice to turn a tap to drain a bank, and turn another to fill. I have big hands and I hate water changing 5s.

 

[gimme30]

Does it have to be clear? It's easy enough to install a float valve. Some of the big supply houses like Uline probably carry food-safe tubs that would work.

 

[Magnum Man]

I did a little looking, and for the clarity you sound like you're looking for, you'll need acrylic, which is more brittle, but is drillable... lexan is a little less brittle, while still clear, but harder to find, and more expensive...

with the proper drill bits, and it dremel bits, acrylic can be cut and drilled successfully...

 

[Magnum Man]

after I posted that last post, I found this... maybe it's just small enough that it appears clear... and maybe it's as brittle as acrylic???

Aquarium Tank, Large - Molded Plastic - 1.75 Gallon Capacity - 10.25" x 6.5" x 6.25" - Eisco Labs

Durable and transparent molded plastic Aquarium Tank by Eisco Labs with a 1.75-gallon capacity. Ideal for terrariums, aquariums, and insect habitats.

www.geyerinstructional.com

 

[GaryE]

after I posted that last post, I found this... maybe it's just small enough that it appears clear... and maybe it's as brittle as acrylic???

Aquarium Tank, Large - Molded Plastic - 1.75 Gallon Capacity - 10.25" x 6.5" x 6.25" - Eisco Labs

Durable and transparent molded plastic Aquarium Tank by Eisco Labs with a 1.75-gallon capacity. Ideal for terrariums, aquariums, and insect habitats.

www.geyerinstructional.com

I've found that size, but that isn't a tank size fit for fish. With heavy water changing you could keep them alive in it, but what life? I'm going to talk to a local store owner today, and see how he sets up his drill, etc. Once it warms up, I'll risk the destruction of my 5.5 gallon glass tanks. I've stood around while friends drilled tanks, but that was many years ago. If my quest for easy fails (it isn't looking good) I'll go with difficult!

 

[emeraldking]

It's true that many European killifish breeders use plastic containers and tanks for breeding purposes. Our national society of livebearers cooperate frequently with the national killifish society. I myself have kept killifish besides my livebearers as well. But at some point I wanted to stick to where my heart was. So, mine were donated to the killifish society. And we have this annual international event which is shared by KFN (Killifish Netherlands) and PN (Poecilia Netherlands). So, in some way I'm still connected to the killifish world.

 

[GaryE]

It's true that many European killifish breeders use plastic containers and tanks for breeding purposes. Our national society of livebearers cooperate frequently with the national killifish society. I myself have kept killifish besides my livebearers as well. But at some point I wanted to stick to where my heart was. So, mine were donated to the killifish society. And we have this annual international event which is shared by KFN (Killifish Netherlands) and PN (Poecilia Netherlands). So, in some way I'm still connected to the killifish world.

One of these years I'm going to get to a KFN/PN convention. I'm a member of the club in France, and would like that too. When I read the European journals, the innovation and seriousness are so far ahead of what I've seen over the past decade or two on this side of the ocean. Canada's population is too small and spread out for strong national clubs, even if the sense of working together and common purpose hasn't fallen apart as it seems to have elsewhere, it's cheaper and faster for me to fly to Amsterdam than it is to fly out west.

I used to be a member of both the ALA and AKA, but I reversed your process. I stopped with livebearers and went to killies, and then as the AKA changed into regional groups, switched out there too.

 

[emeraldking]

I'm a member of the club in France

I'm in contact with the national livebearer society overthere "Association France Vivipares" but unfortunately not the French Killifish association. There are multiple livebearer socieities within Europe which cooperate with killifish societies. The main reason is that most livebearing tootcarps and killifish belong to the Poeciliidae family. Not everyone knows that the Poeciliidae family has got livebearers (ovoviviparous) and egglayers as members. There are also livebearers (viviparous) which doesn't belong to the Poeciliidae family. Some are goodeids, halfbeaks and anableps anableps to mention a few...

 

[Back in the fold]

I have a little acrylic aquarium I inherited from my Daughter . Top Fin brand . It’s as clear as glass is except at the bends where it becomes a bow front .

 

[gimme30]

If my quest for easy fails (it isn't looking good) I'll go with difficult!

I have a little experience with this having done the same for my salt tanks. Although you may want to ignore me entirely because my success rate wasn't all that great.
Use tape on both sides, a wood backer on the side you're drilling into, a new or sharpened diamond or tungsten bit, and the lowest speed your drill will go.
But first sacrifice a chicken while dancing nekkid 'round the fire.

 

[GaryE]

I need to create a structure to hold my cheap little drill steady. I don't know about the ritual though - the cost of sacrificial chickens has gone through the roof. Can I just get one at Costco and pretend it was sacrificed?

 

[gimme30]

Expensive chickens, etc etc,...but no issue with the dancing nekkid 'round the fire part, eh? (that's Canadian)
Your neighbors must be very understanding. Or waiting for that perfect tik tok moment.

I was going to recommend a press but most people don't own them. This is going to sound janky but before I got mine, I got good results with 3 roofing squares duct taped to a piece of scrap with a cutout large enough to accommodate the chuck. Tape that to whatever you want to make holes in and voila!