Intex easy set pool for fish?

[kdrun76]

Would you do it?
I know you get what you pay for, and these things cost $55.

Inflate the ring, and let it float up as you fill with water. The smallest one they make is 8' in diameter and 30" deep holding a little more than 600 gallons.

Here is what I need.... short term pacu housing. They need a suitable home for at least 2 months, and maybe as many as 6 months. I can filter, heat and cover it, but will it last 6 months? Currently they are 18" long. There are 2 of them and I would probably put an oscar and maybe a pleco in there too.


I need to take down their existing tank, and have that space available for their new tank to be built in.

I will be putting the pool in the back yard. Its warm enough here until about Oct 1 that I can do it with minimal heating. If I am not ready in October, I can move the pool to the basement.

I have cats. Cat claws on that ring could mean pacu flopping in the grass.

Anyone have one of these, for either kids or fish? How sturdy are they?

 

[TaylorD]

I am sure you are going to get a LOT of mixed reviews here, however a LFS way up here has one of these for larger oscars an what not he takes from buyers that can not house.. he has a few cats as well... the 'air ring' it self, its pretty darn heavy .. an can withstand some pretty sharp stuff.

i wouldnt bank on it not bursting... but is seems to do the trick

 

[kdrun76]

Good to hear. I 'd love to hear from someone that has had one pop... what happens?

 

[TaylorD]

Good to hear. I 'd love to hear from someone that has had one pop... what happens?

He had a lot of driftwood in there, not to mention some VERY large plecos..

..so, to make a long story short, his first one popped. Not sure if it was the underside or the actual side.

driftwood punctured it. Said it was a bloody mess, however the puncture hadn't torn or ripped as he feared it would. Imagine putting a needle in a balloon then filling it with water and removing the needle .. it wont "POP", just jet water.

Also added, once asked that the 'float' itself or ring is actually pretty think rubber/plastic whatever.. a few mm thick.. less you cats.. playing or needing it, nothing to worry about, I suppose.

That being said.. Im not going to test it.
kind'a a DIY thing.

on that note.. you will need some sort of filtration, rather then that cute pump.. great for circulation however.. not a filter.. this lfs owner had this out back with two monster drums on it... (I suppose bio load pending)

Love to see where this ends up..
I'll keep watching

 

[yogurt_21]

pool will work fine, but I recomend getting an epdm liner for it, that'll prevent leaks I had on in the yard and didn't put a line r in it and it lasted 6 months until it sprang a leak. for your fish's sake get the liner too. after that then it's filtration, you can use the filter it comes with for a backup unit, but you'll need to get a much larger pump and do a sump type setup for the actual filter.

overall these are cheap, easy and reliable as long as you get the liner.

 

[kdrun76]

I have filtration covered, its going to get 2x weekly water changes and have 4 canisters running on it.

It will be in the yard next to my tomato garden. Lots of incentive to change the water.

The filtration wouldn't be enough for long term, but for the 2.5 months that I am hoping for, I am good. If it comes in, I will put a sump on it. I have a nice 55 gallon tank sump, but I don't want to set that up out doors. So while its out doors I will just rely on a Lot of water changes and the filtration I have. I should be able to move all the volume of the pool through the canisters 2x an hour. I know that is a fraction of what is acceptable, but with 2x weekly water changes, I am thinking I will be fine.


All fish currently live in a 210, so for them this 600 will be a massive vacation. Their new tank will be a 540.

 

[brandonppr]

you might try the metal frame intex pool. You can get them cheap often on craigslist.
I had one last year. When we finished using it for swimming I put a couple fish. I put 2 pair of guppies in there. by fall I had a whole pool of alge and guppies. There were guppies everywhere you looked in there.

 

[kdrun76]

Well I bought it. Here's to hoping it works out. It will be here in a few days.

 

[BlackShark11k]

pool will work fine, but I recomend getting an epdm liner for it, that'll prevent leaks I had on in the yard and didn't put a line r in it and it lasted 6 months until it sprang a leak.

Definitely put a liner over it... probably best to spend the extra $$$ for a specifically-made pond liner since epdm can have anti-molding agents which may leach into your water...

 

[Josh the Happy]

We had one in the backyard for a summer, i had to use a knife to pop the ring when we took it down (and threw it away obviously) and i had to put some effort into it if i recall correctly.
The bottom will tear easily enough, so make sure it's a good smooth area, no rocks -even little ones, (that repair was a hassle)