240 build from scratch, tank tear down and reseal, stand refinish DIY

[Joshsmit56001]

Well I have always wanted a tank over 200 gallons and my time has finally come. Found a tank on craigslist that had a blown seam and he was selling it for $200 with tank, oak stand, and hood. I talked him down to $150 and was on my way to pick up the tank the next day. We cut the seals on the tank took it out piece by piece so only 2 of us were needed to move it cause this sucker is heavy! This will be an upgrade of my 150 gallon reef that I will be transfering to the new 240.

Tank
240 tall originally made by glasscages.com
Dimensions are 72" x 24" x 31" (L x W x H)

Skimmer will be an octopus 200 (little small for tank but I only have 6 fish right now so very light load, will eventually upgrade to cone skimmer)

Sump is an old 55 gallon tank that will house the skimmer and the a bunch of chaeto. Will probably build a 48" x 18" x 18" sump in the future.

Flow will be 3 maxijet mods and the return pump

Return will be a mag 12

Time for pics!

Tank before be tore it apart

Overflows that seemed kind of odd

Bottom eurobracing

Now in pieces!

Come along for the ride!

 

[Joshsmit56001]

When cleaning the glass pieces I noticed a few areas where the glass was chipped, 2 on one of the side pieces and 1 on back panel on the bottom. Should I be too worried about these chips or should I spend the money to get the pieces cut down to get rid of the chips? (Not sure what the price will be) The chips are at the biggest the size of a dime on the inside of the tank and are only about 1/16" deep into the 1/2" thick glass.

Chip 1

Chip 2

 

[dave.m]

I have seen chips the size of the palm of my hand but the tank was in use anyways (Big Al's shark tank) at a LFS. I don't think they are that bad. I would be more concerned if the glass was crazed or showed a hairline crack of any kind.

Dave.M

 

[Joshsmit56001]

No cracks just the chips

 

[Mr Smiley]

Any updates???

 

[dahenley]

those should be fine. especially if there is euro bracing around it.

 

[lalc]

Same issue same tank

Same issue same tank

My 240 is built out the same way and it also leaks, However I was the root cause -long story short. Plumbing issues lead to water expanding center plywood brace-basicaly I jacked up the center or the tank enough to cause a leak not a full blown seal, so I was hoping to fix it.
Went back to lfs see if I might get some help--Oh yeah thats right my son actualy had to repair that tank. I guess she figured it held for years why tell me. to be fair I have owned the tank for 3 trouble free years.

So do I replace the center brace and try to reseal the tank. \
Or brake it all down and start over.

I look forward to your rebuild.

 

[melvinco]

I would break it down and start over. I had the same problem with my tank. 4 years of hell. I am in the process of having my tank rebuild.