Quote Originally Posted by daredog4 View Post
As Craig mentioned it really depends on the cooler as to whether it will seal well enough. This particular cooler (Igloo Ice Cube 60QT) seals very well. The lid sticks down into the cooler about 1/2 inch and the total width that the lid makes contact with is about 2 inches. It also snaps firmly in place when it is shut. If you purchase this cooler i promise you there is no need for any weather stripping. However, I can't be sure about other coolers. I would suggest that you go look at them and see how much surface area there is that makes contact and how well it snaps shut.
Also, this cooler and many others are not completely flat in the bottom due to the wheels or the drain. As you can see in the pics i built a simple shelf that raises the bottom up about 3 inches. I made it slotted so that the air can get underneath and help humidify from the bottom. This was just a personal preferance but you might also take that into consideration when picking out a cooler.
I'm using an Igloo (42 qrt.) just not the Ice Cube. I just finished airing it out and put 1/2 lb of beads in this morning. Once I get it stabilized I have this feeling its going to be filled pretty quickly.