Tanks used for mice/rodents and their reuse as aquariums - Aquarium Advice

FishCrzy · 09-11-2005, 12:27 AM

I have heard that it is BADBADBAD to use a tank that was previously used to house a rodent as a fish tank.

The only reason I can see is that the ammonia 'stays in the seal' and can kill the fish. If that is the only reason, I don't know why it would be a problem, since the bacteria are there to rid the tank of ammonia...

Anyone have any thoughts or first-hand knowledge about this?

Bubble_B0y · 09-11-2005, 12:36 AM

never heard of it ...

but aren't mice/rodent tanks a little 'small' for an aquarium tank ???

also, I would give it a thorough cleaning before testing it out.

RogerMcAllen · 09-11-2005, 12:39 AM

I had hamsters and they used to chew at the seals a bit. That would be my major concern.

krap101 · 09-11-2005, 12:46 AM

i thought it was for reptiles and their bacteria and stuff

Toirtis · 09-11-2005, 01:39 AM

The real issues are two, really....rodents do chew on seals, which can compromise them; warm dry environments can help shrink the seals a bit, too. With reptiles, I would be concerned that there would be the possibility that certain chemicals may have been used to combat external reptile parasites at some point, and some of those chemicals may be able to pentrate silicone or partially bind with it.

09-11-2005, 02:01 AM

i would think that as long as you soak it in bleach water and then rinse rinse rinse rinse rinse with dechlor you should be able to sterilize it and it might be ok.

lyquidphyre · 09-11-2005, 02:50 AM

my 29 [acronym:c3947e54a5="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:c3947e54a5] housed rats that chewed on the seal
then i had a reptile in it
and then it was out in the weather for a long time...

Hmmmm, I didn't put much thought into putting fish in it (but i was pretty fish ignorant when i started with aquariums)... but its holding up after 3 years!

fishyrican · 09-11-2005, 05:49 AM

Aside from the chewed seals, another related concern is the risk that the tank was leaking in the first place. A leaky aquarium often gets reincarnated as a reptile tank. If you decide to make the switch, I would advise an outdoor leak test.

09-11-2005, 04:04 PM

and you could always remove the seals and reseal it!

greenmaji · 09-11-2005, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AshleyNicole

and you could always remove the seals and reseal it!

sound advice.. I would completly strip the silicone, clean it good and then reseal it.. :P

09-11-2005, 12:27 AM	#1
FishCrzy Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 31 Images: 1	Tanks used for mice/rodents and their reuse as aquariums I have heard that it is BADBADBAD to use a tank that was previously used to house a rodent as a fish tank. The only reason I can see is that the ammonia 'stays in the seal' and can kill the fish. If that is the only reason, I don't know why it would be a problem, since the bacteria are there to rid the tank of ammonia... Anyone have any thoughts or first-hand knowledge about this?

09-11-2005, 12:39 AM	#3
RogerMcAllen Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 2,361 Images: 16	I had hamsters and they used to chew at the seals a bit. That would be my major concern. __________________ Have your reviewed your aquarium products yet?

09-11-2005, 12:46 AM	#4
krap101 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Roscoe, IL Posts: 3,824 Images: 12	i thought it was for reptiles and their bacteria and stuff __________________ Wizards first rule-People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true. Wizards second rule-The greatest harm can result from the best intentions. Wizards third rule-Passion rules reason. Wizards fourth rule-There is magic in forgiveness the magic to heal! In the forgiveness you grant, and more so in the forgiveness you receive. Wizards fifth rule-Mind what people do, not only what they say, for deeds will betray a lie. Wizards sixth rule-The only sovereign you can allow to rule you is reason. Wizards seventh rule-Life is the future, not the past Wizards eighth rule-Deserve victory. Wizards ninth rule-Contradictions don't exist, in whole or in part.

09-11-2005, 01:39 AM	#5
Toirtis Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,768	The real issues are two, really....rodents do chew on seals, which can compromise them; warm dry environments can help shrink the seals a bit, too. With reptiles, I would be concerned that there would be the possibility that certain chemicals may have been used to combat external reptile parasites at some point, and some of those chemicals may be able to pentrate silicone or partially bind with it. __________________ G. A. Christian Bilou, Zoologist/Writer Founder/Director, Reptile Rescue Alberta Vice-President, Calgary Aquarium Society www.calgaryaquariumsociety.com Polypterid/Primitive Fish/Ctenopoma/Catfish Fanatic 62 Aquariums, 2200+ total gallons, Aquarist since 1971.

09-11-2005, 02:50 AM	#7
lyquidphyre Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: McKinney, Tx Posts: 2,860 Images: 21	my 29 [acronym:c3947e54a5="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:c3947e54a5] housed rats that chewed on the seal then i had a reptile in it and then it was out in the weather for a long time... Hmmmm, I didn't put much thought into putting fish in it (but i was pretty fish ignorant when i started with aquariums)... but its holding up after 3 years! __________________ Have cats? Check out AA's sister site designed for our feline friends

09-11-2005, 12:36 AM	#2
Bubble_B0y Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sydney Posts: 762	never heard of it ... but aren't mice/rodent tanks a little 'small' for an aquarium tank ??? also, I would give it a thorough cleaning before testing it out.

09-11-2005, 02:01 AM	#6
Guest Posts: n/a	i would think that as long as you soak it in bleach water and then rinse rinse rinse rinse rinse with dechlor you should be able to sterilize it and it might be ok.

09-11-2005, 05:49 AM	#8
fishyrican Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 642	Aside from the chewed seals, another related concern is the risk that the tank was leaking in the first place. A leaky aquarium often gets reincarnated as a reptile tank. If you decide to make the switch, I would advise an outdoor leak test. __________________ Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it. -Pericles Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of Liberty -JFK

09-11-2005, 04:04 PM	#9
Guest Posts: n/a	and you could always remove the seals and reseal it!

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