ideas for quick indoor pond

[2songbirds]

If you put some kind of temporary isolation in your garage and cover the pond really well it shouldn't cost too much to heat it to room temp I'd say

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I was thinking of this as well-I don't think he went for it though-as I mentioned to him one of those rubbermaid type storage sheds you can buy, then put the pond inside there. I know it would be weird to "visit" the fish in, but at least they would be safe, as well as our place from any water damage (and this would alleviate some electric usage from heating).

 

[2songbirds]

Rubbermaid stock tanks are available at Tractor Supply Stores, Ace Hardware Stores, Sears, etc. Do a google search. They come in 70, 100, 150 and 300 gallon sizes.

Thanks, like I said earlier, I came acrossed a website that sold 300gallons for under 200 dollars, but I couldn't find that website again. I need ideas on where to find these online as I myself am immobile for another month-I had a grand mal seizure in July and can't drive by law for 6 months...so, I can't go to stores looking for these and rely on my hubby for taking me everywhere now...therefore the internet has become my best friend for situations like this. As we work opposite schedules and time is limited, I'm doing what I can for our "crisis". I will check online at those stores you mentioned and see what/if they mention for what I need. I did do an online search but couldn't find it again. Maybe I didn't put the right words in, or whatever in the search engine. Idk. Thanks though

 

[2songbirds]

As for the garage insulation issue- half of it is insulated (walls and ceiling). There's no heating ductwork/vents to it. The floor is concrete with the slope towards the drain. We laid carpeting down on top of the concrete floor, not the outdoor type but it's also not permanant. Again, this is my husband's department. The remaining (uninsulated) garage is concrete slabs/bricks; ceiling is aluminum where the garage door opens (manual) and water drips all along the aluminum. The garage door itself is about 10 years old, but has many drafts as the wooding around it sucks. Hubby's going to use some kind of foam stuff in and around it, then we're going to put up plastic over the door to keep out the draft. I'm not sure after that as it has to be a temporary fixture. It's going to take a lot more of money to insulate and build the "mancave" in the garage with the indoor pond, but we were planning on staying put for awhile longer, obviously.

Aside from having a storage unit inside my garage to house the indoor pond, which would help shelter the pond from the leaks (contaminated water) and the drafts, what can I use beside space heaters to heat the indoor ponds for the cats? I don't mean to sound naive on this one either...My hybrid cat in my 125g is also trying to eat parts of the fluval, so I know a heater won't hold up to a 2 foot cat....

 

[2songbirds]

As far as I can tell from online, none of the stores carry a rubbermaid stock tank bigger than 100g- I can order one 300g online from some website for 200 dollars, but it will cost an additional 150 in just shipping!!! I know this is cheap considering the price of tanks, and supplies to build one, etc, but it's just plastic and that much for shipping!!!! I'lll give my one lfs a call and see what they say as they have a catalog they can order us one from as well. They are also the ones who carry the rectangular ponds and the regular style ponds I was talking about previously.

 

[2songbirds]

Ok, as I myself LOVE updates...LFS said before tank was in questionable condition that trade in value was 387. Now that the "bubbles" seen from the front are most likely from the interior silicone detiorating, still need to seal the outside of that side (can't drive to get gun)...I feel SOOOO relieved. I have to email the LFS to let them know this as well as I was planning on selling the tank as a whole setup-sump, tank and stand. The top frame does need resiliconed, top braces on the braces that supports the lids (we had one mysteriously fall into the tank the other week), and the sump is too small. Lights aren't included with the setup. What should I ask for trade in value from LFS if they were going to give me almost 400 store credit for a "breaking down" tank only?? Maybe I'll post this question in a new thread as I seem to be the only one responding here. We are still deciding on the temp pond, can't compromise. Tank needs maintainence work regardless...I do not trust that one side with the bubbles in the silicone!!!

 

[Adamrhh]

a space heater is bad, they will run your Bill up waaaaay high

 

[2songbirds]

a space heater is bad, they will run your Bill up waaaaay high

exactly, but I was more concerned with the safety issue of the space heater. I used space heaters *sparingly* in the past, and there was a notceable difference in the bill-now we're talking about a cold garage! Thus, alternatives of a space heater??

Hubby drew up the blueprints on the indoor pond-it's going on the other side where the 265g is now, but will overlap that tank area so we will be needing to move it. We have a storage unit, but by the time we would get to using the tank again, when we move into a house, it may not be for a couple more years, and might be best to let the tank go, although we both love it. Plus, he feels certain on he can build one, so there's no need on holding onto it. I felt certain we could fix it up, need be. One of the glass lids hinges are worn out, thus the one part of the lid fell in the tank the other week. Imagine my surprise that morning, and I couldn't reach in to get it (and I'm 5'9"!!)

But, starting in the next couple weeks, maybe next weekend if all goes well, he's going to get the wood, glass, supplies for it. Hopefully a couple books too, haha. He didn't say how many gallons, nor exactly how big. I said I wanted it to be ~3 feet wide; going to be separate compartments, but all hooked up to the same sump, with dividers built into the tank/pond to separate certain fish as we're going to break down the 125g tank as well. This tank/pond is going to set low, so we're still calling it a pond, but this will ease up on the heating costs, although I'm still uneasy having this much water in a townhouse, that we rent. We're looking at at least a 500g build...265g now is too small, combining that with the 125g inhabitants...YIKES. Will be a new thread talk though

 

[Squirtle919]

I would look for a second hand aquaculture or hydrponic or aquaponic tub. I find over here they go very cheap. Best bet would be find it local and pick it up.

As for heating I would use a Reverse cycle unit but these have to be installed in a wall to the main so may not be the best for you.