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  1. #1
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    CHEAP FISH TANKS

    Hey all, glad to see some life's blood is being pumped back into this place. Seemed to have withered on the vine since Codi died, which by the way will be a year ago this coming 04/01/09.

    In his honor and to throw out an idea that was his from another place, I found this recently and don't think he would mind if I put it here since I am giving him the credit for it. Want to start your own aquaponics system cheap with a little effort on your part? Check out this idea (it's a quote) by Codi:

    Just thought about a water receptacle that can usually be acquired for
    free and with minimal work serve as good, or better than a barrel. I
    haven't used them in years, but back when I had very little money, I
    use to scavenge for used refrigerators on every street for miles
    around. The bigger the better.

    It takes a little work to remove it, but with the holes filled with
    aquarium sealant, a porcelain coated refrigerator liner sitting on
    concrete blocks makes a great tank. Just a memory from the past that
    could help with the future.


    Anyone got a less expensive (better) idea than this?

  2. #2
    Moderator JCO's Avatar
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    Re: CHEAP FISH TANKS

    Alicia,

    Welcome back and thanks for the memoriam of Codi. I never knew he had ever told anyone about the refrigerator liner tanks we use to build back in the 60s but they worked great. It was a little work to get them out of the refrigerators but well worth the effort....some of the would hold almost a 100 gals.

    Thanks very much for the memories and the addition of an old idea that is still viable. Anyone else have an idea that can top this?
    JCO
    Irish eyes are always smiling but
    • "In the eyes of the world, you are only as good as your last success"
    so never forget
    • "MAN IS ONLY LIMITED BY HIS IMAGINATION"

  3. #3
    Moderator badflash's Avatar
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    Re: CHEAP FISH TANKS

    In the same light, commercial dryer drums can be lined and used as large tanks. You need access to a commercial junk yard, but there is all sorts of good stuff if they let you in to scavenge.

    My town has a recycle center that people drop off all sorts of things. You can take what is there as well as drop off. There are always refer's and freezers. A big freezer would work just as well, and these hold water. Ihad a freezer disaster, so I know that for a fact.
    The best fertilizer is the farmer's shadow

  4. #4
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    Re: CHEAP FISH TANKS

    refrigerator liner tanks?

    I am interested but I guess confused about the refrigerators. Is there some liner inside of a refrigerator that is worth getting at or are you all talking about simply the entire thing and maybe laying it on it's side?

    Just curious..love the recycle ideas too! I have a hard time tossing stuff out myself finding ways to use things later ya know
    ""we are what we eat""

  5. #5
    Moderator JCO's Avatar
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    Re: CHEAP FISH TANKS

    Yes Jeff, when you open the refrigerator door and look inside, what you see is the interior liner. You have to actually tear the frige apart to get it, but it will come out.

    There is a layer of insulation between it and the outside wall of the frige and that's how it maintains the interior temperature. Once remove, from the main body, there will be a few small holes to fill to make it water tight, but they work real well.

    Back in the 60's we used the black aquarium tar type sealant that aquarium manufactures used to seal the glass to the metal frames of the aquariums. You might be able to find it somewhere, but I doubt it now. Probably would just use silicone to fill the holes.

    And that's the rest of the story as Paul Harvey would say!
    JCO
    Irish eyes are always smiling but
    • "In the eyes of the world, you are only as good as your last success"
    so never forget
    • "MAN IS ONLY LIMITED BY HIS IMAGINATION"

  6. #6
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    Re: CHEAP FISH TANKS

    10-4 I had no idea thank you. Sounds like I need to go slinking around at recycling center, heck maybe even craigslist has some freebees.
    ""we are what we eat""

  7. #7
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    Re: CHEAP FISH TANKS

    Excues my confusion. (I am new here) anyway, why should I even bother to remove the inner liner of the refrigerator? Why not just put the thing on it's back, fill in the holes and thank the insulation and smooth contour for being less work and still doing the job?

    Since it is the inner liner you want, and are happy it continues to have the foam insulation, why bother to take it out of the fridge in the first place? Also most are plastic liners now and not the old metal coated with porceline...
    I thought the metal shell of the fridge would make utilization of the unit easier???

    Thank You
    Sheryl
    Riverside, Californaia

    Quote Originally Posted by JCO
    Yes Jeff, when you open the refrigerator door and look inside, what you see is the interior liner. You have to actually tear the frige apart to get it, but it will come out.

    There is a layer of insulation between it and the outside wall of the frige and that's how it maintains the interior temperature. Once remove, from the main body, there will be a few small holes to fill to make it water tight, but they work real well.

    Back in the 60's we used the black aquarium tar type sealant that aquarium manufactures used to seal the glass to the metal frames of the aquariums. You might be able to find it somewhere, but I doubt it now. Probably would just use silicone to fill the holes.

    And that's the rest of the story as Paul Harvey would say!
    Take care and stay safe

    Sheryl and Jake SD

  8. #8
    Moderator JCO's Avatar
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    Re: CHEAP FISH TANKS

    MommyHen (I'm going to leave off the 42 if you don't mine),

    A hearty Welcome to your and to our show...it's a rare occassion when we see someone with so much informative information to share. It is gratefully appreciated and much needed. Keep it coming and we'll soak it all up like ther pervrebial sponge

    As for the reason for removing the liners, hopefully metal ones if you can find them as you said, if your are going to leave the outside, then no, but I always had them in close quarters inside where every inch counted and they are more packable when removed.

    Never even though about the new ones being plactic...damn...shows how old I am
    JCO
    Irish eyes are always smiling but
    • "In the eyes of the world, you are only as good as your last success"
    so never forget
    • "MAN IS ONLY LIMITED BY HIS IMAGINATION"

  9. #9
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    Re: CHEAP FISH TANKS

    yeah... darn things get cheaper all the time... Now I understand. I have my systems out doors, and one is running a little 6x8 greenhouse so space is not quite as big a concern. I jus thought that since the things are square, and the outer cabnet ads to the insulation that It would be better and easier to place side by side... That is where my confusion was.

    I guess we are dating ourselves...LOL by admitting that we both have seen and appreciate metal liners...
    I say the same for cars... You couldnt hurt my little mustang... bump my Neon and OUCH!!!
    Just don't make things like they used to... sigh
    BTW the 42 was a few years ago... just stuck to the usernames and never got around to changing it...
    Always a mommyhen though
    Sheryl
    Riverside, California
    Take care and stay safe

    Sheryl and Jake SD

  10. #10
    Moderator JCO's Avatar
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    Re: CHEAP FISH TANKS

    OK, if that be the case...how 'bout taking us under your wing and sharing some photo of your setup and anything else pertenent to the DIY.

    Also, what veggies do you grow? There is a section for info on veggies...if you grow something edible that there is no topic for say "eggplant" (UGH!) etc. let me know and I'll take care of it.
    JCO
    Irish eyes are always smiling but
    • "In the eyes of the world, you are only as good as your last success"
    so never forget
    • "MAN IS ONLY LIMITED BY HIS IMAGINATION"

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