Use this tank or not?

[ZenGuitarGuy]

Hi everyone! New here, and in research mode (haven't started anything yet).

I have a 45G tall tank (36"wide x 24" high x 12" deep) that I'd like to use as a FOWLR setup. Perhaps a reef at some point. This tank was used for a couple of years as a turtle tank. I can verify that no medicating or dosing was done with the turtle. After the turtle, the tank sat in an outside garage for a full year.

The tank will need a good cleaning for sure (vinegar, salt, water is the way to go I think?). I will also need to test it for leaks, given how long it sat in the garage.

Does anyone see an issue with this tank, or have any further suggestions?
Thanks in advance!

 

[heathlindner25]

I would make sure it is an aquarium and not a terrarium.

 

[mjstech]

Welcome to the site and forum. Vinegar and water seems the way to go. That's a nice size tank. Some may not like 24" deep for reef due to low light at depth but keep those corals high and low light corals low. One year dry I wouldn't worry. But a leak/wet test outside is easy to do. Good luck. Ask questions...there is tons of help/info.

 

[Rakie]

Nah.

The aquarium itself is often the least expensive portion of the hobby. You can get a reliable used tank or a new tank.

I'd get a 40B or larger as your first tank -- They can be had for $40 during the petco $1/gallon sale

 

[lifeoffaith]

You'll also need to consider if you're going to run a sump/refugium too and if you want to have a drilled tank or hang on back refugium. I would also say that 12 inches is not much room to stack rock and getting in there to move stuff around and such, but it could be done.

 

[ZenGuitarGuy]

I would make sure it is an aquarium and not a terrarium.

It's an actual aquarium.

 

[CarrieB]

I got a 20XT from my parents and set up as a temporary home for a sea cuke and a hermit crab while moving a tank. A smaller tank but same idea- height over width.

Even as a temporay/QT tank it was frustrating to have to pile all the rock up and then have the lights so far away from the bottom. I ended up buying a 20 regular from Petco for $20 and recycling the 20XT as my ATO reservoir (which worked great).


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[ZenGuitarGuy]

Thanks all. I think the overall message is a sound one...just buy a new tank dummy!

 

[mjstech]

You could get a 40 breeder and modify your stand a little bit. The dollar per gallon sale is a few times a year.