Outer temperature limits for tank materials

[guserto4]

I've seen a few threads lately about outdoor tanks and I wonder at what point the physics we have prevents it. Say you mothballed for the winter an outside (frag) tank that was plumbed as a seasonal part of a larger inside system, would it hold water in the spring? What would constitute manageable winter temps for the materials of an acrylic or glass tank? Assume dry/empty and covered (UV & some manner of critter/debris protection).

I wouldn't do it here in Chicago, but maybe if I moved to Texas...

 

[Timfish]

The challenge in Texas would be the heat and/or humidity in the summer. As far as equipment goes as long as water doesn't freeze in it it should hold up fine in the winter. I have both acrylic and glass spare holding tanks that have seen multiple freeze/thaw cycles and still hold water. (I am curious how the whole thing with silicone needing to stay wet or it looses adhesion got started as I have holding tanks for my business that literally have gone years dry and are still good.)

 

[rwb500]

the whole thing with silicone needing to stay wet or it looses adhesion

i've been in the hobby for a long time and I have never heard this, ever.


OP i don't think there are any limits to storing glass and acrylic tanks within the realm of normal temperatures. i also wouldn't want a seasonal frag tank, because what do you do with the corals come winter?

 

[tkeracer619]

Well it would be really cool if you were able to micro frag come spring and harvest little frags/colonies come fall.

As long as the tank doesn't freeze with water in it you should be fine.

I would consider something more commercial than an aquarium though. Rubbermaid or the big blue fiberglass troughs would be better suited.

 

[guserto4]

Maybe the way to go is a horse trough like brute- but since they always seem to be black perhaps painted white to keep heat absorption down. I always forget about the horse troughs.

I think it'd be neat to have water planters built into a patio or deck. It'd be a nice conversation piece when guests come over for a bbq, etc.- "what's that? Oh I grow the ocean in there." I like the idea of using the sun to aquaculture and architect in me also says "outdoor frag tank = awesome design challenge" and "outdoor frag tank = beautiful design aesthetic"

One could always go a bit overkill and use concrete / concrete blocks as well, which may provide some thermal mass to keep temp swings a little more stable. It would also be more robust to deal with the elements. I could do one pour to make it solid concrete with ports for bulkheads, sealed & painted white and even use one piece of acrylic for a side viewing window. Yeesss... *strokes chin with contemplative intrigue*

This whole idea swings on living somewhere warmish. Perhaps in TX it might be conceivable to use it year round or nearly year round, bc yea, I don't know what I'd necessarily do with frags if I had to pull them out yearly. Sell/swap em?