Setting up a tote

[johnnymax]

I purchased a 275 gallon tote for $25.
It had soap in it. I had it soaking for days and triple rinsed it.
Anyway, I purchased it over a year ago and I am finally getting around to setting it up.
I took my circular saw and cut the top off. I plan to rivet hinges to it and make a lid out of it.
I an short on time, to time to cycle, so I will have to go water changes.
I will make a bio filter out of a 5 gallon bucket. I will fill it with old aquarium gravel, so that may help cycle it.
Anyway, the reason I am short on time is because I ordered 100 Albino Catfish fry. The will be delivered in just under 2 weeks.
The fish cost $223 dollars total, including shipping.
That is $2.32 per fish.






I removed the poly tank and I put down radiant barrier insulation on the bottom.
I am going to add radiant floor heating wire to it and then put the the tank back in.
I hope it will keep the tank warm over the winter.
I will keep you posted.

 

[tlindsey]

It had soap in it. I had it soaking for days and triple rinsed it.

I suggest picking up a sacrificial fish to put in the tote before adding the baby albino catfish.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

Nice deal.

 

[FJB]

I have eyed those plastic-totes-in-mesh-cases many times while considering them attractive potential fish holding devices. Occasionally they are found cheaply, or even for free. Cleaning them well has always been a concern.
For me, another concern is that wife does not want to see one of those in the yard, and I can't get one into the no outside door basement.

I would say if it is known for sure that it held soap, it should be possible to wash it well. Would suggest rinsing with dilute alcohol, after many rinses with water.

 

[johnnymax]

I will throw in a hand full of small tilapia. They can grow up with the catfish.
I will have to do water changes, but it is set up so I can easily.
I have been planning to do this for several years. I am finally doing it YAY!!!
The catfish are ordered, but I delayed them shipping them 2 weeks.
I will put two of them in my 60g tank with may small bluegill.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

I have eyed those plastic-totes-in-mesh-cases many times while considering them attractive potential fish holding devices. Occasionally they are found cheaply, or even for free. Cleaning them well has always been a concern.
For me, another concern is that wife does not want to see one of those in the yard, and I can't get one into the no outside door basement.

I would say if it is known for sure that it held soap, it should be possible to wash it well. Would suggest rinsing with dilute alcohol, after many rinses with water.

You could tray and make it look like a pond. Maybe your wife will be fine with that

 

[johnnymax]

Not getting too much done after work, but I taped down the radiant heating wires to the bottom.
I put the tote back in the frame and insulated around it. Today I hope to hook up the thermostat and fill it with water and add microbes.
Next to make the bio filters and get some sacrificial tiapia in there in a few days.
I will rivet hinges to the top I cut out so it can be kept closed. I am going to make two 5 gallon air driven canister filter.

 

[FJB]

Looking great!

 

[johnnymax]

Here is what my 5 gallon bucket bio filter will look like.
I have a bucket full of old pea graven that is already full on microbes.
It was in an aquarium for years.
I hope 2 will be enough, if not I can add another.

 

[johnnymax]

I filled the tote. Waiting for the chlorine to dissipate. New air pump coming in tomorrow. Sunday I will make and install the bio filter and add the sacrificial tilapia.
I will post pics of the 5 gall bucket canister filter when I make it. I just made up the design, so I hope it works. It seems logical.