About a year ago, I installed and put together a 250 gallon Rubbermaid holding tank/water trough to create a bog filter for my small 8'x6'x2' koi pond. There are only 3 koi and a crapload of mosquito fish residing. The pond is covered by around 50% water lilies and there are a couple of ribbon grass plants submerged. The bog is made up of 3 inlet pipes on the bottom covered by cut up milk crates. On top of that is a layer of 6 in or so rocks followed by 3 in followed by 1 in and then topped with pea gravel. I planted Canna and water iris and pennywort and a couple of other low flowing plants. The plants have since exploded. Get to the point, Alec!!..sorry. Ahem! I noticed a few months ago that my water loss was increasing. And it continues. Welp!! I think I found it! And it doesn't look good. The Rubbermaid tank is beginning to split vertically from the bottom traveling up. Does anyone have any idea on how I can stop this split and/or repair this Crack? I'll include pics as a reply. I should've taken pics first and then create this post to attach the images. But I'm using g my phone to post this and I will lose all this text if I close the browser to take pics and then...ah! You know what I mean
I just might be doomed for trusting Rubbermaid
- Thread starter Alec j
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Oh dear 
. Rubbermaid tanks are usually so durable......is there something pressing on the area?
There are marine sealants that work, we've used them on the plumbing of our sand and gravel filter before. I'm sorry I can't remember the name of the product specifically....perhaps someone else knows.
. Rubbermaid tanks are usually so durable......is there something pressing on the area?There are marine sealants that work, we've used them on the plumbing of our sand and gravel filter before. I'm sorry I can't remember the name of the product specifically....perhaps someone else knows.
I have used a bunch of Rubbermaid stock tanks for many years and never had a failure. One of my 150-gallon tanks goes back to 1996. They are tough if used as intended. You can see them in tortuous farm and ranch use all over the country and they perform beautifully. I have never seen anywhere on Rubbermaid's site where they recommend drilling holes in the bottom and then installing the tank on an uneven surface like your image shows. It is no wonder the tank failed. Look at the crack. It is directly over an uneven foundation stress point. Rubbermaid (and other brands) stock tanks are intended for livestock. Cattle, horses etc. drinking out of them. We hobbyists have adopted them for our use but must accept the risk, in fairness to the manufacturer, if the tank is modified.
mrsclem
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I've had 2 of the 100 gallon tanks Crack. Both were on blocks with no solid support. You can drop a liner in it, I've done that with my tanks.
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My Rubbermaid are doing great, both on solid foundation.
I don't think there is a safe way to save it. The Crack will keep going. Like said above put a liner in.
I don't think there is a safe way to save it. The Crack will keep going. Like said above put a liner in.
Mmathis
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Ouch! I’ve been fortunate with my RM tanks, as well, but I have heard of this happening. It could be a manufacturing defect. I don’t think there is any way to “fix” it. Yep, put a liner inside.
The tank is sitting level on concrete pavers placed on top of tamped down sand. So thats not an issue.
I'm pretty sure it's entirely my fault as this tank is not being used for its intended purpose. I had just hoped that it would've held up. But in the back of my head, as I was making this bog filter, this exact issue did pop up. And you're correct. I'm positive it's from pressure. The pressure from at least a ton of various size boulders and rocks, along with the ever-growing roots pushing and making everything expand within the tank. Plastic can only be under a certain amount of stress before something has to give, right?Oh dear
There are marine sealants that work, we've used them on the plumbing of our sand and gravel filter before. I'm sorry I can't remember the name of the product specifically....perhaps someone else knows.
I mean look at these humongous green taro. They started out as the ones in the pic that are currently on the margin of my pond. And grew to this gigantic prehistoric looking plant. Those roots have got to be pushing and tightening everything in this tank. I think it was bound to split. But I did have hope
