I have been out of the hobby for about 10 years (two moves and just never got around to setting things back up). I am now in the process of getting things going again. So for the question...
I have a 55 gallon acrylic tank that when I bought it 25+ years ago had an integrated filter compartment in the back. This takes up about 4" of depth which leaves limited room for livestock. I was never really happy with it but it was self contained and easy to work with. This go, I want to use a sump in the cabinet and get rid of the integrated filter. My choices then are to cut out the acrylic that makes the filter section (I already checked and the back is the same thickness as the sides so it should be able to take the full brunt of the increased pressure without problem) or if there is any demand out there for such a tank, sell it off and start new.
I seriously doubt there is that much demand and the acrylic will need a lot of work to get it polished out again. I like the idea of reusing rather than disposing and buying new (some call it being cheap... I call it being a conservationist.... makes my cheap ways sound noble). I know it will be a bit of work but that will not be the end of the world. I know that I will not be able to completely remove the acrylic bulkheads from the back which will leave a mark. I can mostly cover that with rock work. I also know I will need to create a new overflow but I do not see that as much of a problem either.
So, anyone see anything I am missing in making the call to recycle the old acrylic into hopefully something useable?
Oh, there is one more reason to recycle. The tank is a bit of an odd size at 48L X 15W X 20D. The stand then was custom made by me and my Grandfather shortly after purchasing the tank. My Grandfather passed years ago but I still remember many days in his garage doing all the wood work on that stand.
I am currently sanding down the stand, modifying it to make it taller (to fit the sump and a better protein skimmer than what I had) and will refinish it. Hopefully that will leave me with a complete stand and tank and the memory of working with him every time I look at it. Even better, my son who was not born when the stand was made, is helping me with the refinish. Seems somewhat fitting.
Thanks for any advice.
Eric
I have a 55 gallon acrylic tank that when I bought it 25+ years ago had an integrated filter compartment in the back. This takes up about 4" of depth which leaves limited room for livestock. I was never really happy with it but it was self contained and easy to work with. This go, I want to use a sump in the cabinet and get rid of the integrated filter. My choices then are to cut out the acrylic that makes the filter section (I already checked and the back is the same thickness as the sides so it should be able to take the full brunt of the increased pressure without problem) or if there is any demand out there for such a tank, sell it off and start new.
I seriously doubt there is that much demand and the acrylic will need a lot of work to get it polished out again. I like the idea of reusing rather than disposing and buying new (some call it being cheap... I call it being a conservationist.... makes my cheap ways sound noble). I know it will be a bit of work but that will not be the end of the world. I know that I will not be able to completely remove the acrylic bulkheads from the back which will leave a mark. I can mostly cover that with rock work. I also know I will need to create a new overflow but I do not see that as much of a problem either.
So, anyone see anything I am missing in making the call to recycle the old acrylic into hopefully something useable?
Oh, there is one more reason to recycle. The tank is a bit of an odd size at 48L X 15W X 20D. The stand then was custom made by me and my Grandfather shortly after purchasing the tank. My Grandfather passed years ago but I still remember many days in his garage doing all the wood work on that stand.
I am currently sanding down the stand, modifying it to make it taller (to fit the sump and a better protein skimmer than what I had) and will refinish it. Hopefully that will leave me with a complete stand and tank and the memory of working with him every time I look at it. Even better, my son who was not born when the stand was made, is helping me with the refinish. Seems somewhat fitting.
Thanks for any advice.
Eric
