Taking over existing aquarium

[Pam.I.Am]

Hi my name is Pamela. Are there any threads on taking over an existing aquarium? I am an RN in a memory care facility. We have a new management company that didn't want to pay the tank cleaners anymore. Tank cleaners were let go the end of last week. But my residents love the saltwater aquarium so i am willing to take it on for them. It is sad looking and has only 1 clown fish, 1 tang, a sea urchin and a few tiny things in shells. Its also plexiglass not real glass. I tested the water and no ammonia, no nitites and no nitrates. Ph was 8.2 and specific gravity 1.028. This may be because I asked when fish were fed last and no one knows. They are fed now. I have been bingeing on BRStv but there aren't many things on taking over an existing tank. I'd like to turn it onto a reef tank and get more fish. Any ideas or point me to correct thread would be appreciated. I do have a decent light system, a wave thingy and I believe the pump/filter is decent but I doubt anyone has done anything with it. It's 50 gallons I believe. 48 inches x 15 x 16 (water level). I guess I should measure to top not just water level? Thank you in advance. I'm at work, so will check in after. I would attach a pic but I don't see where to do that.

 

[Pam.I.Am]

Here is a pic of the tank.

 

[shakacuz]

i would say continue watching those videos, so you can gain some knowledge on how to run a tank or things to avoid/look out for. this website is a good source of information as well, so be sure to use the search function to look for any answers or to see if anyone has asked the same questions.

first thing i would check are testing materials. what do you have on hand? does your workplace know you intend to take over the tank maintenance? look up the filtration system that the tank is using and become familiar with how to maintenance/clean it or to even see if it is big/good enough for the tank.

tank itself is bare. not much rock, so not many places to hide/sleep for the fish. the tang will outgrow the tank(4ft wide is a decent start for a small tang but once full grown it may want more swimming space)...so you may need to rehome it or try and sell/trade it in at a local fish store for store credit to be able to buy more inverts/CUC(clean up crew) to help with cleaning up algae as you get the tank back up running smoothly.

 

[JumboShrimp]

My tip: Be super-careful cleaning the acrylic with only products -designed- to clean acrylic. (I.e., trying to scrape the glass with something not designed for acrylic will almost definitely scratch it.) And always watch out not to get little grains of sand in between your cleaning instrument and the acrylic. Best wishes!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Keep watching videos and reading. Good on you for volunteering to take over the take, to be very honest, whoever's job it was didnt do a good job, the tank looks neglected and sad.

while this article is on how to set up a tank, it does go over all the basics of the hobby. This isn't an easy hobby, there's no way to just jump in, you have to start from the beginning, not the middle. Good luck

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium This article was sponsored by @MarineDepot at www.marinedepot.com. Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean...

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