Questions about Polyethelene tanks

Fyveonit · Dec 15, 2017

http://www.tanksforless.com/p/9865/ace-roto-mold-150-gallon-rectangle-open-top-a-op0150-rt

I am looking into this Polyethylene container for a propagation build I am working on. I want to cover all my bases, and while I know most PE is aquarium safe. I just wanted to come ask the experts.

I like these over the Hydroponic trays most people are using b/c of the 16" depth. I just want to make sure nothing will leech over time etc in a reef environment.

PLUS with that price, I can really go all out in my lighting/ filtration dept.

The idea of daisy chaining 40B / 50Lows is neat looking to me, but also seems like a redundancy problem when a plumbing problem occurs. That may be the IT guy in me overthinking...But I would like to just "grow" into this larger tank. Light the area I need with T5/LED and light the rest as the coral racks fill up as I literally grow into it.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 15, 2017

In general, polyethylene is a good choice, except for hot fluids, which weaken it.

I can't be 100% certain there's no issue, but I would expect not.

Clean it first.

JaimeAdams · Dec 15, 2017

Wow, that's cheap! I wonder how bad the get you on shipping!

siggy · Dec 15, 2017

I cannot help with the composition but I can read blueprints , look at the notes at low center, 1. nominal wall thickness .18" ......@150 gallons this will likely bow out eventually,
https://pentairaes.com/rectangular-tanks.html Pentair rectangle tanks does not list the wall thickness but states that they will bow. Good luck and hope to see the build

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 15, 2017

Polyethylene is a fairly weak plastic, and the side benefit of that is it is also not usually plasticized like PVC because it is already soft (although it can have antioxidants in it).

Fyveonit · Dec 15, 2017

Build is still in the "drawing board" stages...just trying to research.

The pentair tanks that suggest bowing are also almost 3 ft tall.

Would a shorter sidewall bow as much? Good eye on thinking about that.

I wonder if building a stand that frames up to the tubs lip can re-enforce the sides well enough.

Fyveonit · Dec 15, 2017

JaimeAdams said:
Wow, that's cheap! I wonder how bad the get you on shipping!

If it ends up being a solid option I am hoping one of their 22 facilities are in Texas b/c they say customer pickup is always welcome. But standard freight rates still bring this puppy under most sub 90g Frag tanks.

WWIII · Dec 15, 2017

How would fiberglass tanks work for a setup like this? Pentairaes has these...
https://pentairaes.com/fiberglass-troughs.html

JaimeAdams · Dec 15, 2017

WWIII said:
How would fiberglass tanks work for a setup like this? Pentairaes has these...
https://pentairaes.com/fiberglass-troughs.html

Those would work absolutely fine, but the difference is a much different price point.

siggy · Dec 15, 2017

The poly ones are containment tanks, there not intended to be full but as a temporary solution to contain a leak or spill with hazardous liquid.

Fyveonit said:
I wonder if building a stand that frames up to the tubs lip can re-enforce the sides well enough.

You can use as a liner as you stated earlier and I think would look good. But with all the work and cost what would a glass one run you ? again looking fwd on this one!

Cory · Dec 15, 2017

Too bad you weren't at my area i could have given you free 250 gallon totes with steel cage.

Polyethylene is not completely ozone resistant. Something you might consider if you use ozone.

https://www.ozonesolutions.com/info/ozone-compatible-materials

Fyveonit · Dec 15, 2017

Cory said:
Too bad you weren't at my area i could have given you free 250 gallon totes with steel cage.

Polyethylene is not completely ozone resistant. Something you might consider if you use ozone.

https://www.ozonesolutions.com/info/ozone-compatible-materials

Jokes on you! I am in the hot version of your town...Midland, Texas (oilfields) TOtes are easy to come by but hard to trust what was in them beforehand.

But I am looking for the open top shallow tables like hydroponics tables.

Cory · Dec 15, 2017

Fyveonit said:
Jokes on you! I am in the hot version of your town...Midland, Texas (oilfields) TOtes are easy to come by but hard to trust what was in them beforehand.

But I am looking for the open top shallow tables like hydroponics tables.

So funny. Well i know of some totes that are used for just water. And others are used for others like choline chloride. Some used for methanol up north, which would be used by bacteria. Many different tanks. But I agree id be worried too. Id cut the top off with a saws all and use it.

siggy · Dec 16, 2017

Fyveonit said:
Jokes on you! I am in the hot version of your town...Midland, Texas (oilfields) TOtes are easy to come by but hard to trust what was in them beforehand.

Midland Texas that's an old stomp, I was part of the Yankee migration in the early 80's and HOT! is an understatement...Cody Cattle Co. still by the college?
Back on topic
I have noticed a lot of the troughs are fiberglass, you could Glass the outer walls with a heavy weave matt probably needs two layer, then you would have the best of both. WEST MARINE online has all that.

Fyveonit · Dec 16, 2017

siggy said:
Midland Texas that's an old stomp, I was part of the Yankee migration in the early 80's and HOT! is an understatement...Cody Cattle Co. still by the college?
Back on topic
I have noticed a lot of the troughs are fiberglass, you could Glass the outer walls with a heavy weave matt probably needs two layer, then you would have the best of both. WEST MARINE online has all that.

Nice, no it's a full on mini metro these days. Odessa and Midland pretty much connect now. A lot of the old awesome restaurants are gone. A few of the classics still remain....A lot has changed between yesterday and today. I may have sprung on a 150G tank stand sump Facebook special while it was still for sale. They are rare finds around here outside of the "big cities"