Can you use a tank used for turtles for holding water?

lwillis22 · 07/04/2013, 05:32 PM

I just bought a cheap acrylic tank to either hold salt water when I am making it for water changes or to hold my live rock and fish during my upgrade from my 125 to my 240. I didn't think to ask until I got home with it and discovered it was used with turtles. Can it still be used for fish? I have heard some say yes and some say no.

billdogg · 07/05/2013, 04:54 AM

as long as you clean it well, it will be fine - IF - and it's a big IF - the tank is actually constructed to be used as a fish tank. Reptile (and turtle) tanks are usually made of thinner glass and will almost certainly fail if filled completely with water.

Ron Reefman · 07/05/2013, 05:34 AM

What billdogg said. Yes, but clean it good. Rubbermaid containers and Brute trash cans work well as temporary LR containers as well. Just clean them well.

MondoBongo · 07/05/2013, 08:26 AM

My tank I am using now was a snake tank in a previous life.

I just cleaned it very well with bleach, vinegar, and plenty of fresh water.

As bill and Ron said though, just make sure it was designed to hold water and that the seals are in good condition. Reptile specific tanks are often not built to hold water, and sometimes reptiles like lizards or turtles can dig at seals and weaken them

lwillis22 · 07/05/2013, 05:53 PM

It was definitely a fish tank. Can you really use bleach in a fish tank?

MondoBongo · 07/05/2013, 06:50 PM

I can't speak for acrylic, but I have used it in all my glass tanks. Obviously following by a very thorough rinse and then overnight soak with plenty of water conditioner. Just to be sure.

07/04/2013, 05:32 PM	#1
lwillis22 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 303	Can you use a tank used for turtles for holding water? I just bought a cheap acrylic tank to either hold salt water when I am making it for water changes or to hold my live rock and fish during my upgrade from my 125 to my 240. I didn't think to ask until I got home with it and discovered it was used with turtles. Can it still be used for fish? I have heard some say yes and some say no.

07/05/2013, 04:54 AM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	as long as you clean it well, it will be fine - IF - and it's a big IF - the tank is actually constructed to be used as a fish tank. Reptile (and turtle) tanks are usually made of thinner glass and will almost certainly fail if filled completely with water. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

07/05/2013, 05:34 AM	#3
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	What billdogg said. Yes, but clean it good. Rubbermaid containers and Brute trash cans work well as temporary LR containers as well. Just clean them well. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

07/05/2013, 08:26 AM	#4
MondoBongo Obligate Feeder Obsessed Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,061	My tank I am using now was a snake tank in a previous life. I just cleaned it very well with bleach, vinegar, and plenty of fresh water. As bill and Ron said though, just make sure it was designed to hold water and that the seals are in good condition. Reptile specific tanks are often not built to hold water, and sometimes reptiles like lizards or turtles can dig at seals and weaken them

07/05/2013, 05:53 PM	#5
lwillis22 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 303	It was definitely a fish tank. Can you really use bleach in a fish tank?

07/05/2013, 06:50 PM	#6
MondoBongo Obligate Feeder Obsessed Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,061	I can't speak for acrylic, but I have used it in all my glass tanks. Obviously following by a very thorough rinse and then overnight soak with plenty of water conditioner. Just to be sure.