Hey everyone! I just picked up a used 180g 72x 24 x24 drilled tank that I could use a little help/advice with.
First, I think i got a great deal on this tank at $150! So I just grabbed it up and am hoping to upsize from a 125g to it.
Issues:
1) bottom seam near brace about to blow the seam. Actually I think it already did and that's why it was sold...
What caught my eye was while looking down the length of the glass for signs of bowing, i saw 1 spot where the outer side of the bottom frame (not the glass) was seamingly pushed out. There was a gap between it and the glas when the rest of the frame had none.
Notice it is right next to the lower brace? So I look over the brace for any sign of cracks etc then inside the tank. No cracks or wear on the brace but this is what I found inside.
And i could see a very small remnant of a water trickle on the inside of the brace.
This is what I'm thinking to do and please, if I'm wrong or you have a better idea, tell me. I think I should thouroughly clean out the gap between the glass outside and frame and fill with sealant and then reseal the entire inside of the tank. Why the whole tank? Well why do just the bottom while I'm in there? But, do you think this will be the best way to fix this issue? I had a nightmare 150g and went to a new 125g due to this problem however that was a very old tank with no cross braces. Btw. This is an All-Glass tank 2 off center braces each top and bottom. 1/2" side glass and 3/4" bottom glass.
2) It's a drilled tank with NO bulkheads or anything. Plus I hate where it's drilled at If you know me you know this tank will become a peninsula...
It is drilled kinda odd. It has 4 - 1.5" holes and the closest 2 holes are from center hole to glass @ 6" ! The other 2 are at 8" & a distance of 12" from the corresponding hole.
Grrrrrrrrr! Lol
This is what I would like to do or I'll be forced to do a HOB overflow again and I really don't want to. So tell me if my idea will work safely if I can find someone to drill it at my house (there is not much chance of taking it to them).
I would like to bulkhead and cap all 4 existing holes. Then at the proper end of the tank put 1 - 2" drain hole and 2 - 1" return holes (I have a SB spraybar and a mid level return). Plus a 24"W coast to coast inlet overflow. Will this many holes in the bottom glass weaken it and be a recipe for disaster? Or does anyone have a better idea? Remember, it will be a peninsula.
3) Does anyone have or know of stand and canopy plans for this size peninsula? I will be using my 125g for the sump
Thanks for everyones help in advance!
Jackie
First, I think i got a great deal on this tank at $150! So I just grabbed it up and am hoping to upsize from a 125g to it.
Issues:
1) bottom seam near brace about to blow the seam. Actually I think it already did and that's why it was sold...
What caught my eye was while looking down the length of the glass for signs of bowing, i saw 1 spot where the outer side of the bottom frame (not the glass) was seamingly pushed out. There was a gap between it and the glas when the rest of the frame had none.
Notice it is right next to the lower brace? So I look over the brace for any sign of cracks etc then inside the tank. No cracks or wear on the brace but this is what I found inside.
And i could see a very small remnant of a water trickle on the inside of the brace.
This is what I'm thinking to do and please, if I'm wrong or you have a better idea, tell me. I think I should thouroughly clean out the gap between the glass outside and frame and fill with sealant and then reseal the entire inside of the tank. Why the whole tank? Well why do just the bottom while I'm in there? But, do you think this will be the best way to fix this issue? I had a nightmare 150g and went to a new 125g due to this problem however that was a very old tank with no cross braces. Btw. This is an All-Glass tank 2 off center braces each top and bottom. 1/2" side glass and 3/4" bottom glass.
2) It's a drilled tank with NO bulkheads or anything. Plus I hate where it's drilled at If you know me you know this tank will become a peninsula...
It is drilled kinda odd. It has 4 - 1.5" holes and the closest 2 holes are from center hole to glass @ 6" ! The other 2 are at 8" & a distance of 12" from the corresponding hole.
Grrrrrrrrr! Lol
This is what I would like to do or I'll be forced to do a HOB overflow again and I really don't want to. So tell me if my idea will work safely if I can find someone to drill it at my house (there is not much chance of taking it to them).
I would like to bulkhead and cap all 4 existing holes. Then at the proper end of the tank put 1 - 2" drain hole and 2 - 1" return holes (I have a SB spraybar and a mid level return). Plus a 24"W coast to coast inlet overflow. Will this many holes in the bottom glass weaken it and be a recipe for disaster? Or does anyone have a better idea? Remember, it will be a peninsula.
3) Does anyone have or know of stand and canopy plans for this size peninsula? I will be using my 125g for the sump
Thanks for everyones help in advance!
Jackie