I have a Crackpot idea!!

[esoxlucius]

I had no idea those totes were so big!

Yes, they're a good size. Internal dimensions are 44" length x 36" width x 22" height, so whatever gallons that is.

Not the most pleasant things to look at, they'd be great in a fish room, garage or basement where aesthetics weren't a primary issue.

They're made of heavy duty HDPE and will withstand extremely cold temps. Because of this attribute my idea was to sink one in the garden and maybe run some decking around the top so it would be completely hidden.

The one you see probably isn't ideal for a viewing window because of the central vertical supports you can see. You'd have to fit two smaller viewing windows either side of the vertical.

But they also come without the vertical supports and those would be perfect for a single viewing window. Easily drilled for plumbing too.

Something like this, in numbers all lined up, would be absolutely perfect for someone like F fishdance or thebiggerthebetter who have both gone way past the fish room stage!

 

[MultipleTankSyndrome]

Forget about those flimsy little stackable storage crates you get from the home DIY stores. They're thin walled, I wouldn't trust their longevity, plus they're too small anyway to even make it a worthwhile project.

But if you went the industrial route, ie big old thick walled heavy duty totes then it can be done, I've seen a few threads over the years on here.

The main problem you have, as mentioned, is silicones inability to adhere to plastic. But you'd get round this by using the silicon as a gasket only. The structural integrity of the viewing panel would come from actually bolting it to the actual crate/tote/box, whatever you want to call it.

At work we have all manor of large totes coming and going regularly. Heavy duty with thick walls so bowing is of little concern. I've toyed with the idea in the past of doing something with them, but never got round to it. You can pick these type of totes up on line from salvage places and such.

Below is an example of one of the many types of totes we get in. As you can see they also make great paddling pools for when there's a heatwave, lol.

View attachment 1501312

Going by how much you and your son(?) seem to be enjoying it in a water filled tote, maybe you 2 should be the stocking for FINWIN 's lol.

 

[esoxlucius]

Going by how much you and your son(?) seem to be enjoying it in a water filled tote, maybe you 2 should be the stocking for FINWIN 's lol.

I don't think she'd be able to keep up with the water change schedule, my son is a poop machine, her nitrates would be sky high! Lol.

 

[MultipleTankSyndrome]

I don't think she'd be able to keep up with the water change schedule, my son is a poop machine, her nitrates would be sky high! Lol.

Come to think of it, duanes was always toting the importance of a high ratio of live plants to fish to reduce the NO3, usually 10-20 times the weight.

So what do you think you'd need for your son the poop machine if you were to go that route? 1000x the weight, lol?

 

[fishdance]

The IBC cage containers can have viewing windows but they do look quite ugly. I used glass windows but threw mine away many years ago.

Those big plastic totes are called Megabins in Australia. Approx 800L capacity and cost about AUD$300 new. Two small 6mm thick acrylic plates, thread tapped the acrylic itself and screwed through a slightly thick silicon bead gasket. Leave a couple of screw turns until the silicon cures then fully tighten to form a compression seal. I don't normally post photos but had these old images on my phone. There is another double stack of tubs hidden behind.

 

[FINWIN]

Those look like cryogenic body chambers from a horror movie...

I did find these, though. Nice! They come in gray, green, and natural wood tone. Either 172 or 185 gallons depending on who you ask. Other sizes might be available.

 

[MaximoCraig]

Sounds like a very good idea, but I'm not sure if you will succeed or not?

 

[FINWIN]

Sounds like a very good idea, but I'm not sure if you will succeed or not?

Dunno, I may have to scrap the idea. I'm leery of leaks and whatnot, plus I have limited tools. Might try a test on a small scale.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

I've been thinking along these lines for 10+ years.

My only thought so far about the most simple and cheap way involves a round PE water storage tank (rectangle and square tanks are MUCH more expensive vs rounds gallon for gallon) of large diameter to which a window is bolted, either a flexible or oven-curved or casted rounded with the same diameter as the tub, polycarbonate or acrylic. This is highly analogous to how Dolphin Fiberglass make their tubs with windows (I mean their round tubs and small-ish windows). They use polycarbonate.

One can score HUGE water storage tanks on classifieds, in the thousands of gallons for cheap. They have to be free standing, not in-ground.

Of course, one would have to mull thoroughly how not to compromise the structural strength of the tank with a large curved window. Perhaps some kind of support on the outside, on the window ends, to take some load away from the tank and window might be desirable.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

The cheapest option might be an above ground pool / pond where the liner is clear on one side - these recently came on the market it seems to satisfy a similar itch.