convert freezer 2 live-well, fishtank

[OSCARLOVER]

I visted a friend that I have not seen in a while. He has a old deep freezer that he converted into a live well. It was huge, a good 180gallons. My friend works at a big chain grocery store and has the go-ahead to take all the freezer units that they decide to throw away when replaced with new ones.
He has 8 of them in his garage all different sizes. Most of them dont have lids on them, the ocassional one has lids on them- Bluebunny ice cream freezer. They all are in good condition and still work.
He said I could take a couple as I want a live well to set up for feeders and such.

He has his big one set up with a fountain pump and no filteration. He riged it up with some pvc. I would somehow want some form of filteration. He didnt seem to think that it was needed. So I came up with the idea of using one for the livewell and using a smaller one for some kind of sump or W/D.

Could you pros give me some ideas if this is possible. If you have any other ideas to use these freezers for, i'm all ears. One last thing, would it be possible to cut a hole in the side and put in a viewing glass like a DIY tank and hold water? Maybe use it as a fish tank?
Thanks

 

[BigRun]

Could you post a pic of the Deep freezer? So we are all on the same page as to what it looks like/is?

 

[Dr Joe]

OH YES!!! We have GOT to see this guys garage!!!!

As a minimum tell him to use sponge filters, DIY or store bought are cheap.

Yes you can put a window in the side, it's going to need framing between the walls, then seal the glass from the inside with a frame arounf it to support the glass held in by SS bolts.

A W/D would be great too.

COOL IDEA (i couldn't help myself).

Dr Joe

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[Chill-FAN]

i was looking for the cheapest possible way to turn any thing into a fishtank i got prices last night on 2nd hand door frames at R300 a pop with no glass...so reading about this is heaven sent i can find huge chest freezers in any reasonable condition for like R400...its mostley constucted from sheet metal an foam....the section for the gas bottle would be perfect for a wet/ dry....hope you dont mind but im kidnapping this idea....i was also thinking bout getting a free standing tub do the cutout on the side for glass but i cant find a 200g tub ......bet i could find a 200g freezer....

good luck with your project...

 

[thing124]

my old mechanic owned a live bait shop next to his shop and he had a freezer tank aswell i thought it was really cool good idea very plausable good luck with it

 

[gomezladdams]

I remember reading in a very old fish textbook,that chest freezers and refrigeraters flipped on thier back were pretty common for breeder tanks.the only drawback is the fish in it look washed out cause of all the reflected light.
But as a breeder tank or feeder growout it sounds like a great idea

 

[PMK]

and its a freezere like in a grocery store? I definately gotta see this . Next we'll be adding a section for "pimp my tank ". Taking indistrial equipment and making extravegant tanks.

 

[me_wee_todded]

this is perfect cause i have a deep freze that doesnt work any more.

 

[Taz2478]

Next we'll be adding a section for "pimp my tank ". Taking indistrial equipment and making extravegant tanks.

your in that section now...

For the freezer I'd say go with a simple foam for feeders but with actual collection a w/d or pond canister. you can use one or two for a R/O system for easy water changes.

 

[oddball_freak]

This is a really cool idea. I've been looking into "cheap" tanks and DIY stuff. This rules.