Setting up 2 100 gallon tanks

[DieselEuro]

Hey everyone, just wanted to introduce myself. I've been active with fish tanks and terrariums since I was a teen but I fell out of it a few years ago. I've recently acquired 2 glass fish tanks. One 100g and a 110g. I'm rusty with my knowledge so I'm here to pick your guys' brains and see if I can manage to get one of these tanks up and running soon. I'm going to be resealing the 100g and I'm not sure where to start. I'm looking forward to meeting you guys and learning something new along the way. Cheers

 

[Shawn O]

Are either of the tanks drilled for bulkheads? Make sure the tanks are designed to hold water or are terrarium only. Measure the thickness of the glass. I wish you luck re-sealing that tank. After it cures it might be a good idea to fill it and let it sit for a few weeks (outside, garage or in the basement) to see if it'll hold without leaking.

Hopefully, we can all learn together for the benefit of everyone. Welcome aboard.

 

[DieselEuro]

Hey Shawn, thanks for the welcome. Neither of the tanks are drilled for bulkheads. I know for a fact that the 110g will hold water and the 100g was also used as a freshwater setup for years. Apparently it holds water just fine but I am not happy with the look of the seals. I will have to do some more reading but it looks like resealing is not a huge job?

 

[Duke4life]

I will have to do some more reading but it looks like resealing is not a huge job?

This would depend on how handy you are and wether or not you have any glass experience. Peace of mind = get someone who knows what they are doing.

 

[DieselEuro]

This would depend on how handy you are and wether or not you have any glass experience. Peace of mind = get someone who knows what they are doing.

I'm pretty good with DIY but I've got my dad helping me out. The old silicone has been eliminated and the tank is getting cleaned with alcohol and water and taped off for a fresh seal. I'll probably end up posting a "build thread". We're doing a complete overhaul on this tank, including the stand being custom built. Pretty pumped about this project, not bad for a free setup so far.

 

[Duke4life]

How the progress so far?

 

[DieselEuro]

Setting up 2 100 gallon tanks

We sealed it up, pretty easy really. Waiting for it to cure and set for a few days before doing a leak test.

The old nasty stuff


Taped off for sealant. (We did the entire tank, not just this section)


The stand that came with the tank. Going to strip it down and add some shelves and cabinet doors. Maybe stain it depending on the type of wood instead of painting it.

 

[pigskin018]

What kind of silicone did you use?

 

[DieselEuro]

I don't recall the brand but I got it at the LFS. Supposed to be safe for saltwater

 

[kfisc]

Hello and welcome! Good luck with your project- and let me be perhaps overcautious about the stand. It's not drilled, and honestly it just doesn't look trustworthy. There are a lot of threads concerning building reef ready stands if you intend to drill the tanks (another chore that's not for the squeamish). I'd opt for a commercial stand fitted to the dimensions of the tank. What fun, though, so many possibilities.

 

[nuxx]

Reef and FOWLR?

 

[DieselEuro]

Hello and welcome! Good luck with your project- and let me be perhaps overcautious about the stand. It's not drilled, and honestly it just doesn't look trustworthy. There are a lot of threads concerning building reef ready stands if you intend to drill the tanks (another chore that's not for the squeamish).

Thanks! I didn't think it looked like much at first either but it's very well put together and reinforced. Not to mention weighs a ton. I'm not opposed to buying a stand if this one isn't up to par however. What would be the purpose of drilling the tanks? For a sump setup?

 

[DieselEuro]

Reef and FOWLR?

The 100g is going to be a reef or FOWLR, haven't decided what I want yet. The 110g might become a freshwater plecostomus setup. I've had my eye on some Pleco's for a while

 

[Duke4life]

Thanks! What would be the purpose of drilling the tanks? For a sump setup?

Yes! When I was in the hobby before all my tanks had HOB equipment and worked fine. My newest tank that 1 of my best friends gave to me has a sump already which leads to another build out lol. I like the sump better so far as there are more options to do things, plus it can be used as a timeout.

 

[DieselEuro]

I'm planning on using a fluval 405 (340gph) in conjunction with my old double bio wheel HOB filter, UV sterilizer and protein skimmer. Do you think that will be adequate for the 100g? The bioload won't be anything crazy.

 

[Shawn O]

Before drilling either tank, check for tempered glass. Tempered glass + drilling = lots of small pieces of glass. Good luck, please post pics when you get farther along.

Check out this thread about DIY stands: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1169964

 

[DieselEuro]

Before drilling either tank, check for tempered glass. Tempered glass + drilling = lots of small pieces of glass. Good luck, please post pics when you get farther along.

Check out this thread about DIY stands: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1169964

Awesome link, thanks bud. I'll def post pics as I make progress. The silicone should be fully cured by late tonight/early tomorrow so I'll be filling it then for a water test.

 

[DieselEuro]

The tank is filled and holding water with no leaks yet. Keep your fingers crossed for me guys haha. I'm hoping to wake up to a dry floor in the morning