My first SW 125g =oD

[Lynnmw1208]

So today I picked up my new fish tank. It's not a brand new tank because it is used but it's new to me! my sister had it for about 4 years and had FW in it and didn't clean or touch the filter media within that time. needless to say it was DIRTY. The stand was also pretty dirty full of dust and pet hair. I think one of her dogs peed on it as well. So I cleaned both the aquarium and stand up. I used white vinegar for the tank and sanded then bleached the stand and hosed it down. Now they squeaky clean! (well almost) here are some pics!

The stand after sanding and using bleach on it. I am going to stain it hopefully tomorrow.

My new tank! it turned out to be an All Glass Aquarium tank.

First coat of black paint. I used Behr ultra premium paint.

A view from the front. Do you think I should paint the trim black as well? I'm going to be staining a dark walnut color. Inputs would be appreciated :fun4:

that's all for now! I still have a lot to buy such as an overflow box, RO/DI unit etc.

 

[aleonn]

It's looking good! I recommend using this opportunity to drill some holes in the tank for the overflows.

 

[Denbf58]

[welcome] tank looks good are going to do fish only or a reef tank? you may want to ask your sister if she ever used copper in the tank if she did you could have trouble keeping inverts. good luck and keep the pics coming when you get it set up

 

[Dustin1300]

I'd agree that you go ahead and drill. Glass holes . com has a great kit with overflow box and drill bits as well as easy instructions to follow.

In regards to the trim...I'd paint it. I did the same thing with a 75 gallon I have right now

 

[Lynnmw1208]

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big> tank looks good are going to do fish only or a reef tank? you may want to ask your sister if she ever used copper in the tank if she did you could have trouble keeping inverts. good luck and keep the pics coming when you get it set up

I was going to start with fish only and move into reef once I get the hang of it. I doubt she ever used copper as the coppersafe she had was never opened lol. Like I said it wasn't touched for 4 years, literally.

I'd agree that you go ahead and drill. Glass holes . com has a great kit with overflow box and drill bits as well as easy instructions to follow.

In regards to the trim...I'd paint it. I did the same thing with a 75 gallon I have right now

I would drill but I'm afraid that I will crack it and my husband will NOT let me get another tank if I screw up. and he won't do it because I know how to use the power tool in the house haha. The AGA aquariums aren't tempered right? this one is pretty old.
maybe I could practice on a 10 gal. since they're on sale for $10 at petco :thumbsup: hmm I am really considering this now haha. If I drill should I drill for intake as well? thanks for the comments. I will definitely post as I work on more. :lol2:

 

[sn4265]

Personally, if you are going to drill, I'd say "Drill baby drill"... I would think you go ahead and drill the returns as well as the drains. Be sure to find out about the glass before you start the drilling though.

I think I'm going to have to swing by Petco to see about this tank sale. I am going to need a QT down the road, so if I can snag one super cheap now, I may as well.

 

[Lynnmw1208]

If I drill what model of glass holes overflow box should I get? my pump has 1057gph rating.

 

[windowlicker916]

Eek I just read something yesterday that has me scared to use a used freshwater tank for salt.

The guy got a used tank and transfered his existing stuff into the new tank. Everything died within 24 hours and most of it within the first few hours.

Fresh water medication has copper in it and it gets into the cracks and in the actualy glass!

Even the tiniest bit will kill from what I read.

Might want to find out from your sister if she ever medicated her fish! There's no way to test the tank and I read decontaminating it uses dangerous chemicals.

 

[windowlicker916]

Sorry just noticed you already addressed the copper issue.

I do hear that some glass aquariums are tempered only on the bottom, but I am not sure how to tell.

 

[Dustin1300]

Sorry just noticed you already addressed the copper issue.

I do hear that some glass aquariums are tempered only on the bottom, but I am not sure how to tell.

No easy way to tell if it is tempered. I'd stay away from the bottom personally just to be safe and not have an aquarium

 

[rayn]

I thought the polorized test would tell. Double check before taking my advice, cause I've only read not done it, but supposedly either a cell phone or laptop computer will look different if tempered. Like I said double check.

If you do drill, I did the same thing on a spare 10 I had laying around. Realize they are very thin compared to the 125 and chip easy when going throught the very last part. I drilled my 120 for a beananimal overflow and two returns through a C2C. Almost invisible. Definately worth it.

 

[Dustin1300]

I'd say go with the 1500 gph for the overflow kit which will give you extra room to increase flow should it be needed. With the head pressure loss on the pump you will not get 1057 gph. I'd say you will most likely get 800-900 depending on vertical/horizontal length and the bends in the return....

 

[Lynnmw1208]

Sorry just noticed you already addressed the copper issue.

I do hear that some glass aquariums are tempered only on the bottom, but I am not sure how to tell.

I will still test for copper when I put water in just to be on the safe side :thumbsup: I'm almost positive that she never put anything but stress coat and some food. there were only 5 tinfoil barbs left lol. I know a way to tell with polarized sunglasses and an lcd screen whether the tank is tempered or not. I won't be drilling the bottom anyway. I'll be using the glass-holes.com overflow once I decide which one.

 

[Lynnmw1208]

I'd say go with the 1500 gph for the overflow kit which will give you extra room to increase flow should it be needed. With the head pressure loss on the pump you will not get 1057 gph. I'd say you will most likely get 800-900 depending on vertical/horizontal length and the bends in the return....

should I put ballvalves in the drain lines to control flow? I will be using flex pvc so it will most definitely be almost a straight shot up to the tank and an elbow to the hole when I drill it. I may get a connector that is more than 90º so there won't be as much restriction on the way in.

 

[Dustin1300]

I'd go with a ball/gate valve on the drains and the return so you can equalize and keep noise down on the overflow.

 

[Indymann99]

I would search on "Bean Animal overflow" or "Herbie silent failsafe" for overflow designs.

 

[andyrm66]

I'd NEVER valve a overflow. Just risking an accident. Pump, yes, depending on the pump. Control the flow into the tank, not out of, becuase if your wrong you might have a wet floor.

+10 on Beananimal

 

[Lynnmw1208]

I'd NEVER valve a overflow. Just risking an accident. Pump, yes, depending on the pump. Control the flow into the tank, not out of, becuase if your wrong you might have a wet floor.

+10 on Beananimal

So if I don't valve it then can my pump handle it? I don't think it can. would it be enough flow to use the 700gph overflow? I like the glass-holes overflows because it's an entire kit, so I won't be going with beananimal.

 

[rayn]

The bean design is valved on the overflow. Check the 100+ pages out in the DIY section. Great SILENT design that works. My pumps are the noisiest part of my setup.

 

[ludnix]

What are you using for a sump? I would get a 1500gph overflow, that way you can use a larger pump if you decide to.