Equipment Review and Discussion :: rubbermaid enclosures

[Starchick]

I may be adopting yet another turtle, and am considering a rubbermaid tank in the meantime until I can find a cheap enough glass one. Can those of you who've gone this route advise me? I don't have room for a stock tank, so I'm planning on just a basic storage container. How much water can I expect one of those to hold before it needs supports? Based on the pics I was sent, I'm guessing the turtle is 3.5-4 inches so I'm expecting a pretty big container. I just really don't want to have it end up leaking all over the place. Any advice or shared experiences would be helpful!

[turtleman123]

i used to have a 47 gallon i think for my 2 1 inch turtles ands i filled it about 50 percent and because i had tiny turtles their wasn't any problems. it was only about 10 dollars to 20 dollars. i also had another rubbermaid that was a bit bigger and i put the 47 gallon in the bigger one so if it leaked it would leak into the bigger one. i used a 13 gallon before and i filled it about 80 percent and it never lealed or had any probs. i used that for about 2 months then i upgraded to the 47 gallon i think their was some info about makingsupports on austin's turtle page.

[turtleman123]

where are you planning to put the rubermaid. on the floor or on a stand?

[steve]

I've noticed that there isn't a great difference in the thickness/durability of most of these containers when you start to go larger. Granted, I haven't tested this, it's more of an observation. I also think the ones that have rounded edges last better.

Without support, I wouldn't fill it more than half way. You still need to check it regularly for cracks, that is just inevitable.

I know you said no to a stock tank, but I like the dimensions of a 50gallon rubbermaid. 52 x 31 x 12 -- I have a 100 gallon, and its the same length and width, but 25" tall.

[Starchick]

Thank you guys for the advice, I lucked out and the girl had a 20 gallon tank which she gave to me for free!