Containers for storing fish during tank Rebuild

[Robert Moon]

Hi All,
First post on this forum. I have kept planted tanks for about 8 years but I am now just gearing up for a big rebuild so need some specific advice.

Basically I have a large 260 L tank with 2 external filters, which I would like to rebuild. I only have a small flat in London so, I dont have space to set up a full size tank to house my lifestock whilst I do the makeover and I want to take my time over it (like 3-4 days). So I was wondering if anyone could recommend a very large temporary container I could use. I have two external canister filters so I could easily transfer one or both of these across (its a thermofilter too). I was originally thinking of just getting a big dustbin but was worried about chemical leaching. Any suggestions? Cheap is good. Plastic is also good so I can throw it in my tiny garden shed after.

I have a million other questions about lighting planting suggestions but I will save them for now!

I have my tank and lifestock details below.
Thanks in advance for your help.
All the best,
Rob.

Tank details
Vicenza 260 (260 litre Bow fronted aquarium)
Filter 1:
Eheim 2076 professional 3e 450
Filter 2:
Eheim 2324 professional thermofilter
CO2 system- cheap JBL 500G canister system
Lighting:
2x 39W T5HO
Substrate: ADA Aqusoil Amazonia with powersand (now with more powersand on top than underneath....)

Lifestock (all fully grown)
Over the years it has become a bit eclectic, the underpopulated species are generally the veteran survivors (e.g. the pygmies and khuli loach etc. )
5 denizon barbs
8 Sterbai Cory
5 Bronze Cory
Pair of Kribensis
4 Otocinclus
1 Khuli Loach (had him for 7 years saw him about twice in that time)
5 Amano Shrimp
4 Platys + ~10 fry
1 Bolivian Ram
2 Pigmy Corys

 

[Edvet]

Any large container will do, small pond, children's bath,cement thingie

 

[ian_m]

When I converted my tank to planted I used numerous 40l tubs from ASDA (£3 each) to store water, fish and old substrate. Yellow water, blue substrate.


I kept the fish in one of these for a couple of days. Put a piece of wood across the top, hung the heater from it, so not touching the sides, ran an airstone and put plastic plants to act as shade. Didn't bother with filter or food. Had to cover with cloth as in the evening whilst watching TV we had a clown loach jumper !!!

Out of my 180l tank I kept over 100l of water.

When rebuilt, water and fish put back, did frequent water changes (25% every two days) and use Amquel+ for first couple of weeks as it will remove ammonia. Didn't test for ammonia, but as I was adding new substrate which could leach ammonia added it anyway.

 

[Robert Moon]

Thanks alot for that guys, I think I will buy a load of the tubs you suggested, I have a wilko nearby so that should work.

I plan to wash and reuse my ADA substrate and top up with a fresh bag, so ammonia may be an issue so agree regular water changes should help.
I think I might keep one pump running in one of the tubs as I am a bit worried about filters dying whilst I am messing with my layout!

Cheers,
Rob

 

[James O]

A waterbutt would be fine and could find a new life in your garden when your done

 

[Claire]

I have put mine in the kitchen bin (liner removed first of course and a cursory rinse out), in plastic cake boxes, and most recently one of those plastic storage boxes with lid. I have always used things with lids as I find as soon as the fish are stressed out then they start jumping, especially rasbora and rainbows. I put an internal filter in with some media out the big external to save having to do daily water changes to keep ammonia down and stuck a heater on the side. Fish were all fine for a long weekend, including some sensitive (and very expensive!) plecos. As mentioned, plastic plants, pieces of wood etc are good for a bit of cover.

 

[Robert Moon]

Great thanks a lot. I am now thinking I will go for a big bin as I need one anyway for outside . I think I was just being a bit precious about my fish, I was worrying that these plastics would harm the fish, but it's reassuring that no one has had problems, and it is only short term. Next on to more exciting problems- what stuff to buy!
Thanks for all the suggestions !

 

[harryH]

It depends how long you aim to keep the fish in the containers.

If I am doing such work and expect to have the fish back in the tank in say a day I usually bag all the fish and float them in a bin with a heater in it.
This way no worries about using food quality bin and no fish trying to jump out. If you had oxygen to inflate the bags you could of course quite easily keep them a couple of days.

Harry.