Getting Back Into It

[dbulick]

Hello all,

About 7 years ago I had to give up my 125 gallon FOWLR that I had set up for about 5 years. I graduated from college and knew I would be moving around quite a bit, didn't make sense to try and hang on to it. Well, now that my wife and I are settled I am ready to dive back in head first. I am looking to buy another 125 gallon, but this time I would like to try my hand at some corals as well.

I found a guy in my area selling a used 125 acrylic, I have always had glass tanks, how difficult to drill would an acrylic tank be? I assume one of my LFS's would be able to do it for me for a nominal fee of course. I would probably be looking for dual corner overflows.

What is the etiquette for posting an ad on here for advice on the equipment and price that he is asking? I wouldn't put it in my main post, but if someone wouldn't mind giving it a once over for me I would appreciate it. I am really excited to get back into this crazy obsession. My wife is less thrilled about me spending money on it but she said yes, too late to go back now.

This is my first of many more questions to come!

Edit: WoW look at that avatar picture holy moly it's been awhile.

 

[ericarenee]

Acrylic is Super easy to drill . If You go with a tank not yet drilled i would use a ghost type over flow. Tiny box inside with bigger box on exterior with a Bean animal type Drain. (SUPER QUIET. ) It Does require 3 holes on the external box.But easy with acrylic.
As far as buying a acrylic tank. We recently has a NOT So good experience. They are almost always scratched and SUPER Hard to see until you have water in it.Also not so easy to buff out as people might say.
So i am not a fan of Acrylic for a reef. .
The one we bought was a 72 gal bay front for we have as a planted freshwater tank. So i say if you can get it 50 cents or so a gallon and its not scratched too bad . it may be worth it.

 

[dbulick]

Thanks for the reply. That was one of my concerns with acrylic is the tendency to scratch. I will definitely take my time and not settle for something just because it is available now.

 

[Shawn O]

Give it a look and decide if it's worth removing minor scratches at the set price or negotiate to a lower price if it's going to take some work. If it were me, I'd not concern myself with scratches on the back. Acrylic is supposed to be very easy to drill and modify. The great thing about acrylic seems to be that you can do whatever you want for an overflow setup.