Moving on to BIGGER!!!

m_lacom99 · 01-05-2005, 04:59 AM

Hello everybody. After a couple of weeks (months

) i finally got my girlfriend to say YES for a tank upgrade

. I have this old glass 120 gallon stored in my mothers basement. Its been empty for a couple of years so ill probably have to redo the silicone? but thats not a big problem for me. My girlfriend bought me a retrofit MH kit for xmas (2 x 250W 10 000K) so ill be just fine for the light. But here are my questions

1. I need to upgrade my skimmer, what would you guys recommend for a 120 gallon

2. What would be the best and safest way to do this switch. right now i have a crushed coral substrate but i will be doing a DSB in the 120 (already have 80 lbs of seachem sugar sand, looking for more sand but less expensive)

My girlfriend was talking about tearing down her 25 gallon FW to go with SW so i might do that soon so its good and cycled so i can put my livestock in her tank while i make the big switch. I think its a good idea you think?

Ill be going with a sump/fuge setup, wont need an overflow cause the 120 is already pierced so the overflow is on the inside of the tank. I think ill be ok with all of the plumbing and stuff, ive been reading allot on 3reef.

So anyways let me know if you have any answers, suggestions, comments, tips, tricks, questions

Thanks

Marc.

hoodoo · 01-05-2005, 05:39 AM

well, let me tell you my opinion to old tanks. I bought this used (not even old) oceanic tank and wanted to use it. It had a small leak and I tried to redo it. After spending quite some time with it I didn't trust the tank at all anymore. So I decided to spend the money and get myself a new tank.
Now I'm happy that I did it, and even happy that the tank was leaking in the first place.
I won't have to worry about the seal for a while and I'm happy about it.

Just something to think about

m_lacom99 · 01-05-2005, 05:48 AM

I'll keep that in mind hoodoo thanks... but the bottom line is i just dont have the cash for a new tank. My girlfreind doesnt work, she stays home and takes care of our 2 daughters so i have the only income comming in, we knew there would be some money issues but thats the choice we made, whats best for our kids... we think at least... So anyways i dont see anyway in the near future that i would have the $$$ to buy a new 120 gallon. But now you got me thinking (scared) so ill ask around and see what i could do...

Thanks

Marc.

hoodoo · 01-05-2005, 06:52 AM

hey, if you are good in resealing, then go for it. And you know better, what the seals look like in the tank. That was only my experience...

m_lacom99 · 01-05-2005, 07:15 AM

The old seals do look fine but ill probebly just strip the corners reseal them good anyway, fill up the tank with just tap water and let it sit there for a week to see if theres any leek... im not in a rush so when im sure its good and water tight then ill bring it to my place and fill it up with SW.

Matt Rogers · 01-05-2005, 10:18 AM

Yeah, a water test is a good idea. Congrats. Sounds like a cool setup.

For skimmer ideas, there are plenty, check out some of the threads on the skimmer board like this one:

http://www.3reef.com/cgi-bin/yabb/Ya...num=1103058940

Good luck!

matt

m_lacom99 · 01-05-2005, 10:23 AM

Thanks Matt... can always count on you for advice...

OoNickoC · 01-05-2005, 01:41 PM

[quote author=m_lacom99 link=board=General;num=1104940750;start=0#4 date=01/05/05 at 10:15:15]The old seals do look fine but ill probebly just strip the corners reseal them good anyway, fill up the tank with just tap water and let it sit there for a week to see *if theres any leek... *im not in a rush so when im sure its good and water tight then ill bring it to my place and fill it up with SW.[/quote

I would reinforce rather than reseal if you dont have any jigs or molds to hold it together. For skimmers i like the Euro reef Rs series. They kick butt and arent 3 feet tall (most ne way), more squat so they fit into cabentry better. For the switch...have a tank to put your critters in while the big biy cycles....and let that big boy cycle as long as possible. Sound as though youve got things planned out and are up for the challange. I would proceed with extreme caution on your resealing job. If you plan on tearing all the silicone out and actually replacing all of it....i would make some corner jigs and make sure they are nice and straight with a nice level or better yet a laser level. That is not an area to skimp on. But with patience and good hands it is absolutley doable (yes that is a word....

) Good luck...

m_lacom99 · 01-06-2005, 03:01 AM

thanks SEA... i was thinking of just striping in the corners but not between the glass. i mean theres silicone, im not even sure its silicone maybe some sort of glue, that hold the glass togheter that one i would leave alone i would just redo the extra in the corners. dont know if you get me on this one im having problems explaining it i guess. anyway the tank would still hold toghether even if i took out the silicone in the corners.

I am planing on keeping allot of water from my 55 gal to put in my 120 gal, and i also thought about keeping some of the crushed coral substrate and add it somewhere in the 120 so i dont lose all those little critters. but with that said how long is long enough for cycling the 120. dont think ill have allot of light on my temporary 25 gal so i dont know how my leather finger will react.

Thanks

Marc.