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I have Pete in a temporary (2-3 months) 55 gallon Rubbermaid container. From some I have heard this is a good solution, however,I have also heard the plastic can leach chemicals into the water. Anyone have any words on the subject?

I've never heard of having to be worried about the plastic in Rubbermaid storage containers leeching chemicals into the water. IMHO, they're a decent solution for increasing space at a modest cost, and work well as a temporary home. I used to keep my RES in one, and he never had a problem with the water. Be aware, though, that they're not meant to hold water, and if you fill them up much more than half full, the sides should be supported to keep them from bowing out. I also had the problem (repeatedly) of having to replace them because the bottoms would develop cracks and leak. If you like this kind of container, consider getting a stock tank when you upgrade.

I like to wash a new Rubbermaid container first, I'm not crazy about the plastic smell. There is controversy regarding plastic when it is microwaved, and I've also heard negative things about PVC. Frankly, these are probably minimal concerns compared to the other things we're exposed to. (Cue X-Files music.)

Washing out the Rubbermaid first was a given for me. I wash just about everything before I use it.

Wow, I have had Al in the same Sterilite container since 2002. No bowing, no cracking. Right now it is kind of warped because it's not sitting on completely level ground, but everything else is fine. I'm thinking of getting a piece of plywood, or a pallet, to go underneath, to make a more level surface.

If the Sterlite container is a clear one, I think it's less prone to cracking than the colored Rubbermaid containers. I used a clear container for a year and had no problems with it other than a little bowing when it was 1/2 -3/4 full (only stopped using it because I upgraded the size). The plastic in the colored containers seemed to me to be more brittle.

Al likes beingi n clear containers better than in an opaque one; he's very interestedin his environment and things around him. So yeah, it was clear. In an opaque container, like when we travel, he scrabbles a lot.

I have a 55 gallon rubbermaid(blue). It is only temporary(hopefully till my birthday in January) and bowing is the only problem I have had. However, this was resolved by drilling a hole in the top of each side and running twine through it bringing it taught. Not pretty, but better than a 10 gal temporary.

Rather than twine, what you could do is drill the holes bigger and put a piece of cut PVC pipe through it and cap the ends. It might be more stable that way.

I haven't ever seen a 50 or 55 gallon clear Rubbermaid (or Sterilite) container here.

Wolfman, the blue (navy) ones were the weakest for me. The pale gray Rubbermaids held up better. Since it's only temporary, though, you should be OK.

where did you guys get ur rubbermaid tanks? Are they cheaper than glass tanks?

yaseeris2fast4u wrote:where did you guys get ur rubbermaid tanks? Are they cheaper than glass tanks?

There's a current post in the online links and deals section of the forum that lists some links: http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2641

If you go to almost any store this time of year--Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, Big Lots, etc.--you'll see a wide variety of storage containers. "Tis the season for them. (I used to buy mine at Home Depot or Lowes.)

thanks sonja and marisa