Not in O Town anymore buuuuut!

[reed_5point0]

I know how well you guys know reefs so I am gonna ask this here as well.

I got this old tank and by old it has been handed down from an Uncle who passed away.
Specs:
4ft Tall
6ft Long
1.5 Ft depth from front face to Back face.
1" thick Glass...AKA Heavy SOAB
this thing was probably made in the mid to late 1970's possibly even the 80's but in that bracket b/c I remember it as a kid in the late 80's. So I don't even want to even attempt drilling on it if its even possible.

What should I do with this tank its been some time since my last reef... School got a little to overwhelming for a reef between moving apts. But I guess I just want to ask, if you had this tank and about 100 bucks a week to throw at it. What would you do? What equipment would you use? and last but not least Livestock and aqua scape ideas...

 

[JUICE!]

I would save the $100 for about 20 weeks or so...then you might be able to take a stab at fitting it up.

Realistically, your looking at 3 mETAL HALIDE FIXTURES + FLOURESCENT SUPPLIMENTALS......overflows, sump, skimmer, more than 150lbs of live rock...then you'll need a return pump, plumbing, timers, reflectors, a bucket or two of salt,a RODI....sheesh....power heads.....then, after all that, you can start thinging about livestock....

I got a great deal on my 125G....but by the time I worked out the sand, rocks, current, and lighting...I was over 3,000$

 

[InLimbo87]

For 100 bucks, freshwater cichlid tank will even be stretching it with a tank that size.

 

[Mrs Smith]

Lighting a beast like that to reef conditions would take a LOT of halides. Penetrating that depth would be pretty challenging. Could be a killer FO/FOWLR thought.

My first thought was "Sell it to me!"

My second thought was "Whoa, 4' deep - nevermind!"

That's a beast. I honestly wouldn't attempt it as a reef. I suppose it's possible, hey, anything's possible, but unless I could throw a lot more cash at it, or had saved up a lot (Juiceman is right on, as usual) it wouldn't be done right.

 

[lifesworksataol]

what else did it come with? just a tank? stand? canopy? pumps? you can do it!

 

[dugg]

I would say that this tank isn't really a good tank for a reef. Maybe a FOWLR, but the depth is going to cost you way more than the tank is worth in lighting issues and costs. I don't think even a 400w MH would light much more than 24 inches of depth to reef standard. The cost of running enough lighting would be more than you have for a budget lol. That doesn't even touch the pumps needed for 270 gallons of water. I would suggest a freshwater tank unless you just love paying electric bills.

 

[lifesworksataol]

i would say just put the corals up top - what kind of corals would you like to do anyways?

 

[Me No Nemo]

Perhaps you could almost divide it half way down...almost like a paludarium. Do caves and ledges with rock on the bottom for fish only and then about half way up get some flat rock and build a reef from there up so it looks like a cut away of an ecosystem. You'd have to get a bit creative with the plumbing so that you would have flow throughout, but it would be awesome if you could pull it off! Or, if you are interested in making it freshwater, a paludarium with orchids, dart frogs, even snakes are incredible. Here's a link:

Paludarium

Keep us informed as I'd love to know what you decide on. Marcye

 

[Don Lino]

What kind of setup was this before u got it from your uncle (may he rest in peace)?? Maybe u can keep as he did??

 

[ben&bobbi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11833436#post11833436 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Me No Nemo
Perhaps you could almost divide it half way down...almost like a paludarium. Do caves and ledges with rock on the bottom for fish only and then about half way up get some flat rock and build a reef from there up so it looks like a cut away of an ecosystem. You'd have to get a bit creative with the plumbing so that you would have flow throughout, but it would be awesome if you could pull it off! Or, if you are interested in making it freshwater, a paludarium with orchids, dart frogs, even snakes are incredible. Here's a link:

Paludarium

Keep us informed as I'd love to know what you decide on. Marcye

Wow Marcye! i can just imagine what such a tank would look like, that is an awesome idea. the bottom half could be a fake rock stack with PVC structure (but would be a lot of places for stuff to hide) lower part would be great for much less light demanding species.

The $100 a week would be frustrating, but everyone yells patients anyway! plus there are always used stuff for sale and you would be able to get away with 250w MH with 1/2 the depth easily!

I say go for it!

 

[reed_5point0]

Well this wont be my first rodeo, so most of the drygoods are sitting in storage. I think I would mainly need to buy a better filter, and a faster GPD Ro Filter b/c the one I have now sucks. I thought about a Lion tank mainly b/c I have had so much fun with them in the past.