Failing Tank! Advice please!!!

[SmallTimeShell]

My current tank set up is failing, the plastic on the top is tearing and the glass is starting to bow. I have a new tank I'm going to be setting up but need advice. What is the best way to tear down the old tank to replace it with the new? My house is fairly small and am keeping the same stand.

Is it ok to put my fish in the trash can (see photo) with air stone and the skimmer running so I can use my canister filter in the new tank until things settle?

Can I use all of the same substrate in the new tank? I also think I have more in the tank than I need. Estimate amount for a 55g?

Is there a way to reinforce the plastic brace to prevent this from happening again? I will note, my current tank that's set up is second hand, so I don't know exactly how old it is.

Also, I want to paint the back black again, I can't recall what I used last time, but will spray paint do the job?

Equipment- HOB aquamaxx skimmer, 307 fluval canister filter, and a few wave makers and a heater. Tank is 55g FOWLR.

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

My current tank set up is failing, the plastic on the top is tearing and the glass is starting to bow. I have a new tank I'm going to be setting up but need advice. What is the best way to tear down the old tank to replace it with the new? My house is fairly small and am keeping the same stand.

Is it ok to put my fish in the trash can (see photo) with air stone and the skimmer running so I can use my canister filter in the new tank until things settle?

Can I use all of the same substrate in the new tank? I also think I have more in the tank than I need. Estimate amount for a 55g?

Is there a way to reinforce the plastic brace to prevent this from happening again? I will note, my current tank that's set up is second hand, so I don't know exactly how old it is.

Also, I want to paint the back black again, I can't recall what I used last time, but will spray paint do the job?

Equipment- HOB aquamaxx skimmer, 307 fluval canister filter, and a few wave makers and a heater. Tank is 55g FOWLR.

If I was to do this tank transfer I would place the fish in some type of container as the trash bin next to the tank, place a few pieces of your rock in there for the biological filtration along with a heater, bubbler and power head for movement. The fish would be fine this way for a few days no problem

I would perform your tank swap and let everything settle, you could use the old sand but know this will more than likely cause an ammonia spike during the transfer. I would use some type of nitrifying bacteria such as turbo start 900, microbacter7, etc.. and test your ammonia after tank settles to ensure your not placing your fish into high ammonia.

I wouldnt worry so much about reinforcing a new tank, back in the day you usually only saw the plastic get brittle and break from excessive heat due to metal halides. More than likely the new tank will outlive your use for it. Most upgrade at some point


Spray paint is no problem to paint the back, I paint all my tanks back glass black.

 

[UncommonSense]

My current tank set up is failing, the plastic on the top is tearing and the glass is starting to bow.

Not good!! The plastic rim is structural!

Start by getting all rock and livestock into that trash can with life support, then drain that tank!

I don’t like reusing sand without sticking it in a bucket and running a hose on it for a good bit at the very least, but it’s up to you!

Is there a way to reinforce the plastic brace to prevent this from happening again?

You can silicone in a glass center brace under the factory plastic brace; this is what the old school tanks had! — it shouldn’t be necessary on a new tank though!

 

[JumboShrimp]

I used Rustoleum Flat Black, applied with those tiny trim rollers; about two to three thin layers (drying in between).

 

[UncommonSense]

I should add:

- Consider putting the trash can on a furniture moving dolly before filling, if you have one?

Can I use all of the same substrate in the new tank? I also think I have more in the tank than I need. Estimate amount for a 55g?

- You have plenty of sand for a 55g, just consider cleaning it before reusing!

What is the best way to tear down the old tank to replace it with the new? My house is fairly small and am keeping the same stand.

Rock/livestock/water into trash can > life support on trash can > scoop out sand with plastic container/etc into bucket/bin > siphon remaining sludge out to discard > get a helper to carry the tank out to the curb with!

Then, place new tank; assuming the stand doesn’t need any upgrades/resealing!

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Instead of paint, I would use vinyl. It is cheap and you can get different colors and it's much more durable

 

[Fishy888]

My current tank set up is failing, the plastic on the top is tearing and the glass is starting to bow. I have a new tank I'm going to be setting up but need advice. What is the best way to tear down the old tank to replace it with the new? My house is fairly small and am keeping the same stand.

Is it ok to put my fish in the trash can (see photo) with air stone and the skimmer running so I can use my canister filter in the new tank until things settle?

Can I use all of the same substrate in the new tank? I also think I have more in the tank than I need. Estimate amount for a 55g?

Is there a way to reinforce the plastic brace to prevent this from happening again? I will note, my current tank that's set up is second hand, so I don't know exactly how old it is.

Also, I want to paint the back black again, I can't recall what I used last time, but will spray paint do the job?

Equipment- HOB aquamaxx skimmer, 307 fluval canister filter, and a few wave makers and a heater. Tank is 55g FOWLR.

If I was to do this tank transfer I would place the fish in some type of container as the trash bin next to the tank, place a few pieces of your rock in there for the biological filtration along with a heater, bubbler and power head for movement. The fish would be fine this way for a few days no problem

I would perform your tank swap and let everything settle, you could use the old sand but know this will more than likely cause an ammonia spike during the transfer. I would use some type of nitrifying bacteria such as turbo start 900, microbacter7, etc.. and test your ammonia after tank settles to ensure your not placing your fish into high ammonia.

I wouldnt worry so much about reinforcing a new tank, back in the day you usually only saw the plastic get brittle and break from excessive heat due to metal halides. More than likely the new tank will outlive your use for it. Most upgrade at some point


Spray paint is no problem to paint the back, I paint all my tanks back glass black.

I agree. Plus, second hand tanks aren’t necessarily a bad thing. Some of the older tanks will outlive tanks made today. Just search on here for Red Sea Reefer. I’m fortunate to have the system I have. It’s a frag tank turned reef tank. It was used commercially and I got it for a song. It holds 120 actual gallons. It’s acrylic and has a lot of scratches but I’ve been slowly but surely buffing them out.

To reuse your sand just rinse it really good with a hose or with tap water, all but a quart (1 liter) worth of sand. Set the quart aside and Just rinse it with old tank water so you still have some good bacteria from your old 55.

Like was mentioned, use some nitrifying bacteria as well. Your rock will also help repopulate your good bacteria but adding nitrifying bacteria can only be a good thing! There’ll almost certainly be a mini cycle but it won’t last long if you follow these steps.

Spray paint can work to a point but it doesn’t really bond to the glass well. It’ll crack and peel over time. There’s a type of paint made specifically for painting glass that’s long lasting. I can’t remember who makes it but the big box stores carry it.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Fusion krylon spray paint bonds to glass, thats what I prefer to use, but its very hard to find it these days.

I've used rustoleum spray paint on my last 2 tanks, it also works well, the paint is still on perfectly 2 years later.

 

[Fishy888]

Fusion krylon spray paint bonds to glass, thats what I prefer to use, but its very hard to find it these days.

I've used rustoleum spray paint on my last 2 tanks, it also works well, the paint is still on perfectly 2 years later.

That’s the name of it! They sold it at Lowe’s at one point. I have an acrylic tank now so I don’t really need it anymore.

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

Fusion krylon spray paint bonds to glass, thats what I prefer to use, but its very hard to find it these days.

I've used rustoleum spray paint on my last 2 tanks, it also works well, the paint is still on perfectly 2 years later.

I also use rustoleum

 

[MnFish1]

My current tank set up is failing, the plastic on the top is tearing and the glass is starting to bow. I have a new tank I'm going to be setting up but need advice. What is the best way to tear down the old tank to replace it with the new? My house is fairly small and am keeping the same stand.

This is my procedure - used many times to do this. Make sure the stand is not part of the bowing problem (i.e. that its completely level)

Is it ok to put my fish in the trash can (see photo) with air stone and the skimmer running so I can use my canister filter in the new tank until things settle?

Yes - a tote (more shaped like a rectangle would be better with more surface area - however you needn't take a long time doing this - you can easily do it in a couple hours.

Can I use all of the same substrate in the new tank? I also think I have more in the tank than I need. Estimate amount for a 55g?

Yes - I would not use the sand however, though you can rinse it, enough people have had issues re-using sand (especially if not well rinsed) that it makes sense to just buy new.

Is there a way to reinforce the plastic brace to prevent this from happening again? I will note, my current tank that's set up is second hand, so I don't know exactly how old it is.

I thought you were getting a new tank. I have reinforced them before - but I only trusted that fix for a short while

Also, I want to paint the back black again, I can't recall what I used last time, but will spray paint do the job?

yes

Equipment- HOB aquamaxx skimmer, 307 fluval canister filter, and a few wave makers and a heater. Tank is 55g FOWLR.

So - what you do it merely take 2 of those buckets - add enough water to cover the rock - heat the water to the same temp as the tank. Have a powerhead in the rock bucket or tote to maintain flow -

Add the water to the other bucket/tote and add the fish/inverts with an ayirstone and heater or your canister filter. Switch the tanks, add the rock and water, and then fill up with part of the water from the fish bucket - and then add the fish - and fill to the top with fresh (new) Saltwater. You do not need to cycle your tank (keep your canister running at all times) - If you're nervous you can add something like Fritz 9000.

 

[SmallTimeShell]

Thank you all for the advice! I'm hoping to finally do the swap tomorrow.

 

[SmallTimeShell]

This is my procedure - used many times to do this. Make sure the stand is not part of the bowing problem (i.e. that its completely level)

Yes - a tote (more shaped like a rectangle would be better with more surface area - however you needn't take a long time doing this - you can easily do it in a couple hours.

Yes - I would not use the sand however, though you can rinse it, enough people have had issues re-using sand (especially if not well rinsed) that it makes sense to just buy new.

I thought you were getting a new tank. I have reinforced them before - but I only trusted that fix for a short while

yes

So - what you do it merely take 2 of those buckets - add enough water to cover the rock - heat the water to the same temp as the tank. Have a powerhead in the rock bucket or tote to maintain flow -

Add the water to the other bucket/tote and add the fish/inverts with an ayirstone and heater or your canister filter. Switch the tanks, add the rock and water, and then fill up with part of the water from the fish bucket - and then add the fish - and fill to the top with fresh (new) Saltwater. You do not need to cycle your tank (keep your canister running at all times) - If you're nervous you can add something like Fritz 9000.

Is it safe to have my live rock in the trash can with fresh SW, airstone and power head overnight? No longer than 48hrs. I have my A/C on, it's about 66-68°f in the house. I only have 1 heater.

 

[exnisstech]

I used Rustoleum Flat Black, applied with those tiny trim rollers; about two to three thin layers (drying in between).

It so much easier to scrape off if needed. Scraping spray paint sucks. Its also easy to touch.

 

[MnFish1]

Is it safe to have my live rock in the trash can with fresh SW, airstone and power head overnight? No longer than 48hrs. I have my A/C on, it's about 66-68°f in the house. I only have 1 heater.

I would buy another heater. I would try to do it all at the same time. It shouldn't take more than 4 hours to transfer everything. BUT - generally speaking - if you consider that they ship live rock and overnight, its probably safe to do that - but I would not extend it to 48 hours (though with the airstone, etc it would possibly be ok.