Pools for growing-out goldfish

[dragon eye]

From time to time when I get to sit down and read the postings here on the site, someone is talking about bringing into the U.S., fiberglass pools for raising fish. I would like to share how I use locally available parts and equiptment for grow out pools.
First, TRACTOR SUPPLY has a great selection of troughs for us breeders that range from 15gal. to 300gal. I believe these are of fiberglass, fairly heavy, and very substantial. I have 3 of the 110 gal. tubs which cost $59.99.
I wash them out with bleach after purchase, and also when I drain and clean them. You can take an electric saw and easily cut these down if you feel the are too deep. I have used these troughs for 2 years and find them to be great.
I also came up with a way of building pools that is inexpensive and versatile. I use 2x12's , 4= 48" pieces to build a square, fastened to gether with 3 deck screws at each corner. I cover the bottom inside with a piece of 1/2" pink building foam as insulation from the concrete. I buy 6-mil.clear plastic by the roll. I cut s piece of the plastic large enough cover the bottom and sides, straighten out the plastic, and begin to fill with water making sure to get the plastic square along the bottom so as not to put undue stress at the corners. Fill with water to near top, staple along top, and cut off excess. Time to make , one and a half hours. In the two years since using this method, I have had no leaks. Water depth is about 9 1/2" Lot of surface area.Use 3 = 125 gal. sponge filters per pool. I have 5 of these in operation.
I hope this may be of help to those needing more space .


Don

[Corrie]

Don, those are great ideas.
I have been using the different size RubberMaid troughs for years, and they do last years. I think they are almost indestructible.
Another good idea is Sterite storage tubs. You can also drill them for stand pipes, cheap, and don't have to worry about breaking them like a glass aquarium.
Thanks
Corrie

[bluebelly]

I use Tuff Stuff containers from Tractor supply, 49 g, 100g, and 160g. I use the cow feeders on a stand for 39.99. they are 10 ft x 2 ft x 1 ft. Use the 40 g all the time can throw them on a truck or down in a pond. Recycled material. Make 2x2 frame with 1/4 inch screening for lid.
Iris makes xmas storage boxes. 65 gallon, 52x24x12 sold at dicount store for 9.99 Inside use only

[bigbettadan]

I use rubbermaid shallow(50 gal size) for my garage tubs and IMO they are just as good as anything you can use, just uglier. I use the tuff stuff stock tanks for my outdoor ones. While the nice Japanese style tubs are beautiful, they are by no means a requirement....

Between ranchu and rabbits, Tractor Supply gets a ton of my business.....

Dan

[Virginia ranchu]

I use one of the 55 gallon shallow Rubbermaid stocktanks in my basement. The tub is on a wooden stand with casters, and is about 4 feet off of the ground. I made a siphon with pvc pipe and connector/joints(a cap on the end with small holes drilled in it). The siphon leads to a hang-on overflow box and then to a wet dry filter on the floor. The water stays very clean.

Rob

[dragon eye]

When I was describing the use of 2x12's to build pools, I should have been more specific on a couple of points. The wooden frame pools and fiberglass troughs are all in the basement on a concrete floor. It would be difficult to get the wooden frames level outside on the soil, and in our location this type of pool would be frozen solid right now. The temperature of the basement is running about 52F, with the unheated pools at about 50F. I only heat 4 aquariums for special projects. When the weather starts to warm, and the basement temp comes up, so does the temp. in the pools.

NOTE: We have two small outside ponds with goldfish that never come inside. I check on them everyday and keep a hole chopped in the ice to check on its tickness. The fish of course are not eating, but are healthy and swimming. I've been keeping fish outdoors in these ponds for 4 years, with few losses, mostly predationfrom HERONS off the river.

[opera]

I use Tuff Stuff containers from Tractor supply, 49 g, 100g, and 160g. I use the cow feeders on a stand for 39.99. they are 10 ft x 2 ft x 1 ft. Use the 40 g all the time can throw them on a truck or down in a pond. Recycled material. Make 2x2 frame with 1/4 inch screening for lid.
Iris makes xmas storage boxes. 65 gallon, 52x24x12 sold at dicount store for 9.99 Inside use only

Do you have the picture of the cow feeder (stand for stock tank)? tried to seach tractorsupply website, but could not find it.

Thanks