Thinking of getting this for outside...

[connorlindeman]

With warmer weather on the way, I wanted to move some of my aquatic plants business outside.
I found this 300g stock tank.
It should be ok for plants, but should I want to add some fish later in the future, would the galvanized steel harm them?

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/countyline-oval-galvanized-stock-tank-3-ft-w-x-8-ft-l-x-2-ft-h-300-gal-capacity

 

[10 Tanks]

With warmer weather on the way, I wanted to move some of my aquatic plants business outside.
I found this 300g stock tank.
It should be ok for plants, but should I want to add some fish later in the future, would the galvanized steel harm them?

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/countyline-oval-galvanized-stock-tank-3-ft-w-x-8-ft-l-x-2-ft-h-300-gal-capacity

Hello connor. Excellent question. The galvanizing process to seal the tank and protect it from rust, includes the use of zinc. Zinc is wonderful for plants, but quite toxic for fish. If you use such a tank, you'll need to use a small sander and remove the inside galvanize coating. Then, you'll need to recoat the inside with a non toxic sealant like "Pond Shield". It's a bit time consuming, but the sealant lasts indefinitely.

Rubbermaid makes a heavy duty plastic trough, but I've never seen them larger than 100 gallons. You wouldn't have to do any prep work with this type of trough. Check your local farm supply store.

10 Tanks (Now 11)

 

[connorlindeman]

Hello connor. Excellent question. The galvanizing process to seal the tank and protect it from rust, includes the use of zinc. Zinc is wonderful for plants, but quite toxic for fish. If you use such a tank, you'll need to use a small sander and remove the inside galvanize coating. Then, you'll need to recoat the inside with a non toxic sealant like "Pond Shield". It's a bit time consuming, but the sealant lasts indefinitely.

Rubbermaid makes a heavy duty plastic trough, but I've never seen them larger than 100 gallons. You wouldn't have to do any prep work with this type of trough. Check your local farm supply store.

10 Tanks (Now 11)

I like the idea of the plastic trough.
Found this one on Tractor Supply.
$100 cheaper as well.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/rubbermaid-structural-foam-stock-tanks-300-gal-capacity?cm_vc=-10011

 

[JuiceBox52]

I’ve heard galvanized steel is toxic for fish. Plastic should be good, especially if you get food grade (not sure if they make food grade ones that size)

 

[Fishmanic]

you could just add a liner to the tub

 

[JuiceBox52]

I like the idea of the plastic trough.
Found this one on Tractor Supply.
$100 cheaper as well.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/rubbermaid-structural-foam-stock-tanks-300-gal-capacity?cm_vc=-10011

I’d go with the plastic

 

[connorlindeman]

Thanks for the input guys.
Better safe than sorry.
I like the look of the metal one, but the plastic one would be safer and easier.

 

[AquaBarb]

Seem to be doing well with your aquatic plants business

Well done and congrats hope it keeps on the up for you

 

[connorlindeman]

Seem to be doing well with your aquatic plants business

Well done and congrats hope it keeps on the up for you

Thanks! The business is definitely growing faster than I thought it would. I feel super blessed.

 

[jaylach]

Thanks! The business is definitely growing faster than I thought it would. I feel super blessed.

While I understand what you mean by blessed I think it more that you put out quality and care about what you do. If I end up setting up my scud tank I will need some plants and will give you a try. Do you sell wood/rock (preferably pumice rock) with Anubias and/or Java ferns already attached?

 

[Archerfish]

Rubbermaid makes a plastic 300-gallon stock tank. I have used their stock tanks for many years (some are 27 years old) and can attest, they are durable and great for plants, fish and reptiles.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/rubbermaid-structural-foam-stock-tanks-300-gal-capacity?cm_vc=-10011

Do you currently purchase plants from a supplier and now wish to propagate them? Have you considered using an area 51 extraterrestrial disk, sliced in half?

 

[connorlindeman]

While I understand what you mean by blessed I think it more that you put out quality and care about what you do. If I end up setting up my scud tank I will need some plants and will give you a try. Do you sell wood/rock (preferably pumice rock) with Anubias and/or Java ferns already attached?

I do my best and God does the rest
My supplier has Anubias and Java fern attached to either driftwood or lava rock.
Don't have pumice rock, unfortunately.

 

[connorlindeman]

Do you currently purchase plants from a supplier and now wish to propagate them? Have you considered using an area 51 extraterrestrial disk, sliced in half?

Yep, I purchase from a wholesaler and get in shipments twice a week.
I figured with warmer weather coming soon, I could cut down some costs and grow some of the faster growing plants myself.

 

[davros]

Does it need to be that deep? Strikes me a harder to work in/with than something shallower

 

[Sgooosh]

you could just add a liner to the tub

yep, a liner is helpful and made for fish as well.
i used a liner for a leaky wine barrel and it looks great.

Does it need to be that deep? Strikes me a harder to work in/with than something shallower

sometimes its better to be deeper, because at least over here, the sun is directly shining with no clouds and it gets to around more than 100 degrees, so the water could be a buffer to the heat