Plastic Tub Plants?

[RRaquariums]

So I have a shortage of tanks for the number of things I'm doing right now just like all of you lol but what I'm wondering is if I could grow plants in clear plastic tubs?
What I'm thinking of is to do the bottom of the tub in dirt just like a dirt tank then I will add plants heater a air hose for water aeration and a 4 foot fluorescent light above.
If anyone has tried this or has advice/comments I'd love to hear it

 

[KirkyArcher]

I've done it, not for growing more as a long term home for plants while doing tank swaps. Needn't even use heaters room temps will suffice for most "tropical" plants, would be good to add a sponge type air line powered filter in there just to help keep any debris off the leaves (not that there are going to be many) just reduces chances of algae getting established.

 

[RRaquariums]

Yeah I'm more doing it for propagating my existing plants and for resale to my LFS so they won't be in there for a huge amount of time just to get to a good size.
I will build a sponge filter for it like you said.
Thanks for the input

 

[DrRob]

I've got some emmersed eleocharis growing in a propogator on the windowsill (it's not doing all that well but it is winter and the light isn't great, it'll pick up in Spring). I've also got some hydrocotyle growing in a bucket by the back door. I don't do all that much with that, it just grows. I do switch some of it's water out occasionally for the waste from water changes but otherwise it's left to it's own devices. It's a refugee from a breeding project that left a growing tank full of plant eating fish.

 

[coolie]

They're growing ok without ferts and co2?

 

[DrRob]

Ahhh, now the ferts are a kinda cheat, the tanks are EI, so the waste water from changes is almost certainly fertilised. As for CO2, I'm guessing the light is low enough to allow them to grow slowly with enough from a fairly wide surface area to water volume ratio, and the cat drinking the water occasionally provides surface agitation.

 

[coolie]

Nothing like a bit of "cat"-ionic exchange!

 

[RRaquariums]

I'm also going to be using a dirt base so plenty of nutrients there.

 

[DrRob]

Overall, yes, you can grow plants like that. Not a problem at all. Just think of it like a tank, so long a the light, flow, CO2 and nutrients balance up for the plant in question then you're onto a winner.

 

[RRaquariums]

I've never used Co2 but I may try to do a diy set up with it this time.