35g trash barrel

Nubytuesday · 11-24-2003, 10:59 PM

I have a trash barrel i use for my holding tank it is place behind my fish tank that is in a corner I have a spickett at the bottom of the barrel I use to open to fill the sump.
I have now purchased an auto top off(i used to know how low the water was by the preassure at the spickett) any ideas on how i can tell how much water is in this barrell since i will not be able to see any of the barrel but the bottom?
I believe one person used a bobber & a weight at the other end
outside the barrel.
Should I turn the old pvc line at the bottom verticle & add some type of clear plastic hose along the height of the barrel.
Any other ideas & that should work shouldnt it ?

thefatman · 11-25-2003, 06:13 AM

adding a clear pvc or acrylic tube or hose along the outside sounds like a good idea!

Geoff · 11-25-2003, 08:38 AM

that is what i would do.

G~

yardboy · 11-25-2003, 08:53 AM

Put a tee with clear tubing before the spigot and you have a level indicator and a drain valve if for some reason you have to get rid of the water in the tank

Nubytuesday · 11-25-2003, 10:47 AM

Thanks all

Adam101 · 11-26-2003, 06:31 PM

kinda off topic but everyone has seen the white/ blue 55 gal storage barrels I have allways wanted to find a clear one so I could make it into a cylinder tank, granted the Surface area of it would suck But I wouldnt keep much in it.

Geoff · 11-26-2003, 08:39 PM

www.aquaticeco.com has all kinds of tanks that may fit what you are looking for. i do not know if they are inexpensive enough for what you are thinking. i have never seen a clear one of those barrels.

G~

Adam101 · 11-26-2003, 11:31 PM

Hey Geoff thanks for the Link I am looking at the Algae culture tank thats 18 inched by 4 ft tall, Its a lil more expensive then I wanted to spend I really wanted something closer to the 55 gallon drums( why cant they just make clear ones) Geese Im sure they would be in high demand( LOL NOT) But still, Humm well I will have to decide It says" 90% clarity" so Im not sure But it gives me more Ideas thanks.

H2OENG · 12-16-2003, 07:35 PM

Adam101,
Those tanks are made by "Sunlight" out of fiberglass and clear resin. Not good whatsoever for a viewing tank, but fine for culture tanks and skimmers. Kind of fragile, too.
The company has made everything from water cylinder walls for thermal storage to clear air ducts for artsy homes out of the stuff.

Adam101 · 12-16-2003, 10:17 PM

Yea I thought it might not be that great, Dang all I want is a clear barrell type setup, wouldnt keep much in it Just for the " different" factor. I will have to keep looking around....