Trouble with Rubbermaid sump

[Triton]

Anyone have an issue with using a rubbermaid tote for their sump? I've tried to use them as a sump for my tank and after a few months a mysterious crack develops somewhere and it leaks. The first one sprung a leak while I was in California for Christmas. The housesitter stopped by the house one day and found water on the carpet and no water movement in the tank. I had designed it with a check valve to prevent it from flowing back into the sump, so it could have been alot worse. I took the thing apart and couldn't find any cracks in the sump or the piping.

I made a second version and placed a thick plastic bag around it, just in case it leaked again. I placed a pad of rubber under the mag drive, to minimize the chance of vibrations cracking it. Once again, a week before Christmas, the tote started leaking onto the plastic.

I broke down the sump and I could not find any cracks in the sump. I don't know whats going on here. I now have the fish in my old standby 50 gal, until I can find a cheap glass or acrylic tank to make my sump for my 200 gal. Too much bad luck with rubbermaid.

Anyone else have the same problem or come up with a different solution?

 

[xdragonxb0i]

well i dont think those type of tubs, are suppose to handle alot of water.

 

[tr6]

I have used the gray rubbermaid duratotes as aquariums and had them filled with water for over 3 years, they can handle it, maybe the clear kind can't.

 

[Ullopincrate]

Use the thicker colored ones. I have had totes full of water for years. I am going to guess that the clear ones are more brittle and therefor crack. Feel the rigidity of the one that cracked and compare it to the totes.

 

[RBE17]

I've seen them used on other builds, but they had a frame around them. I used one to raise feeder guppies one time and it bowed like crazy. Sent you a PM w/ a tank offer for a sump.

 

[Dane]

The clear ones are not nearly as durable as the colored ones.

 

[crazy clowntang]

this is the third time I have heard this. Makes me not go the rubbermaid route

 

[mtalica030]

The clear ones are made of a stiffer plastic that will crack and break much easier. The colored ones are made more to bend and bow as needed. Thats what you want.

 

[polish]

I use this black plastic one from Lowes, it's very sturdy. The built in bracing prevents it from bowing much at all. It is about 25 gallons capacity. I've had them full to the top before.

 

[ITHURTZ]

I agree the clear ones are stiff and very brittle. You drop one on the corner and it cracks and a piece falls off. The colored ones you can literally kick throw etc and they wont break. (to a extent, but they are really durable)