10-15 yr old acrylic tank.....

[tangers]

Hi everyone,
I have the chance to pick up a 10-15 year old 300g acrylic tank for possibly a very good price. Tank is 10'x2'x2'. Owner says tank has none to very minimal crazing. I am just looking for opinions on a tank that is that old. The tank is also not drilled at all, so I was wondering if I would be possible to use something like a dovetail jig (used in cabinet making) across the top back under the top bracing to create an external overflow. Obviously I would weld-on an external overflow, but just wondering if cutting the slots every 1/2" to 1" would greatly jepardise the tank?
Thanks in advance!

 

[tangers]

no one...?

 

[Znut Reefer]

I would talk to a expert on Acrylic drilling. I would call a acrylic tank builder.

 

[viggen]

there are others that will know more but this is my thoughts.... or lack thereof

10-15yr old tank I wouldn't worry about..... that is if it was made properly.

With drilling if it was me I would do a internal overflow & not drill the tank that way..... I do not know enough about them to know if it would weaken the tank to much drilling it for a external overflow.

 

[tangers]

viggen- yeah that's kind of what I was thinking. I would really like an external overflow, but after re-thinking the idea, I don't know if it would be worth the risk. As far as the yrs on the tank that's also what I was thinking being it is "welded" and not siliconed like glass, but just looking for second opinions to make sure I am not getting caught up in a good deal.

 

[quincy2008]

I have a 15 year old 220 gallon acrylic tank. It is still functioning and other than a lot of corlaine build up and a few scratches it still looks good.

 

[HarrsCars]

I bought a virgin (never seen water tank) 300 gallon and we routered a 30" overflow into one end. Glued a overflow box on the end with 2 2" drains in it. If I had to do over again I would have made my teeth wider than 1/4 inch as they keep up only about 2000 gallon a hour. My tank is 1/2 thick and it worked great.

Good luck
Mike

 

[tangers]

I bought a virgin (never seen water tank) 300 gallon and we routered a 30" overflow into one end. Glued a overflow box on the end with 2 2" drains in it. If I had to do over again I would have made my teeth wider than 1/4 inch as they keep up only about 2000 gallon a hour. My tank is 1/2 thick and it worked great.

Good luck
Mike

any pics?

 

[HarrsCars]

Lets see if I remember how to do it.

<img src="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p316/harrscars/2-20-2010216-1.jpg">
These are the teeth I routered in the tank about 1" center to center.

<img src="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p316/harrscars/2-20-2010217.jpg">
My overflow is about 30" on a 36" tank with about 29 slots.

<img src="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p316/harrscars/2-20-2010218.jpg">
My tank is such a tight fit in the wall area the overflow box was made to fit around the 2 by 4's next to it.

<img src="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p316/harrscars/2-20-2010219.jpg">
Other side was made that way too.

<img src="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p316/harrscars/2-20-2010220.jpg">
Here are my drain pipes in the overflow. Only one is actively draining as the other one is a failsafe in case of some failure with the other drain. It is about 1" taller.

<img src="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p316/harrscars/2-20-2010225.jpg">
Inside the tank I glued in a 1/8" piece of black acrylic and then routered through both pieces.

<img src="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p316/harrscars/2-20-2010221.jpg">
This is the overflow from the side of the tank without the trim.

<img src="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p316/harrscars/2-20-2010227.jpg">
And this is what it looks likw with the trim on.

If I had to do over again I would have liked the teeth to flow a little more. When I very first put my sump pump in action it would reach the underside of the acrylic and the slots would be all the way to the top. There was no buffer room. But we ended up moving the pump 4ft lower and the extra head slowed it back enough it worked out fine. I have taken my drill and opened them up slightly more while the tank was in operation. I probably will do some more till I like it completly. I made a jig for my router so it would only go up and down no side movement and made it so I could clamp it to the top. Measured it out cut each tooth with three passes 1/3rd through each time. My jig also had a top and bottom stop so each tooth was alike with the previous one. My tank is 1/2 thick and I bought a brand new carbide plunge bit for this. Took me one afternoon and got rid of any type of overflow in the tank on that side.

How thick is the tank you are looking at??


My sharing thoughts
Mike