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Well, it didn't really explode, but I came back from a weekend at home to find the water low in my rubbermaid containing my RES. I filled it up and found in the morning that all the water I had put in the night before was on the floor. The 50 gal plastic tank has a tiny crack in the bottom. It's in a weird spot. I had supports made for it and it's really stirdy, until the crack. My question is should I try a rubbermaid again ? This one is only a couple months old. I'm a student and can't afford a new glass tank that he will fit into comfortably. I was thinking about a stock tank, but there is no way I could fit it into my tiny apartment. Until I find sometihng, he is living in the bathtub. Thanks for any help.

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i really dont like plastic....but i heard a lot of people do. my advice---check the Recycler or the school newspaper. someone might be selling a large tank for really cheap. hopefully. i remember at SDSU people would sell couches for $100. good luck!!
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0.0.1 Red Eared Slider

I got my 90 gal tank with oak stand for 100. It was a little dirty because it had been in the guys basement for a couple years but it's beautiful now. If you can't find any big tanks for cheap I would get another rubbermaid at least until you can get a tank.

Similiar thing is happening. My amboina box turtle tank had a leak. Not outside, but the leak was on the glass divider. The land is soaked. Have to wait until repair. At least spotlight dried most on top.

I know rubbermaids arent really made to hold too much water, if you fill them up the sides will start to bow and may have been what cracked your tub. When you get a new one, put it inside the old one, this will give a little more support to the one holding the water. You may also try building a wood frame around the tub that will give support to the walls of the rubbermaid tub. Or just dont fill the tub up very full. Aside from that, if your heat bulb is too close to the walls of the tub, the heat may be softening the plastic which could result in a leak. These are just a couple ideas I had about your situation, I dont know if either was the case.
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Thanks guys for the responses. I did have metal supports over the top to stop the sides from bulging out. I knew it wasn't going to last forever, but at least for more than 2 months. I'll try looking for a cheap tank. Maybe I'll just use my old 20 gal until.
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