My Next Tank...?

I was browsing Craigslist and found this tank. My husband and I have talked about a bigger tank. He would like one in his basement office. I thought it would be an excellent candidate for DIY live rock. Been wanting to try it and would have to take building this tank very slowly due to the expense. Would replacing the bottom glass in this one be more trouble than its worth?


225 gallon aquarium. 6’L x 2’W x 2.5’H. Complete with lights, stand and filter system. Filter system consists of 2 - UV Filters, 2 - Cartridge Filters, 2- Heater Modules, and a pump. Four holes are bored in the bottom of the tank to accommodate the plumbing. Originally a saltwater setup later changed to fresh. All filters and pump mounted under aquarium in stand, out of sight. Corner of glass bottom chipped when moved and needs to be replaced. Hence, the ultra low price. I bought the tank with a large crack in the bottom and replaced it. All you have to do is turn the tank upside down and remove the damaged bottom by cutting through the silicone with a knife of wire. Lay a bead of new silicone around the glass edge and set the new 24" x 72" x 3/4" bottom on top of the silicone letting it setup for 24 hours before filling it with water. I drilled the 4 holes in the tank bottom using a diamond hole bit. Only took a few minutes to drill each hole. For someone who has the skill to replace the bottom, this is an excellent way to get a $3000 setup for $300.

 

It can be done, but it has to be done by someone who knows what their doing. If your not exp'ed in aquariums, find someone that is and ask them to inspect the "WHOLE" set up. Did it say how old the tank is? And what about all the other pieces of equipment. Cause it may sound like a great deal up front, but happens when one pump does bad and then the skimmer and then the other pump and so on. Before long, you just bought a new set up with all the headaches of an old one. Just food for thought. Luna

 

what kind of lights? basically if all the extra stuff adds up to the price you pay for it it is worth it. usually(atleast everyone ive talked too) the price of fixing a glass sheet in the aquarium ends up being around the price of a brand new tank.

 

When was the last time you priced a reef ready 225 gallon tank? Last one I priced was about 1500 bucks and that was about a year ago so I am sure they are more now. Fixing this tank would cost about 450 plus the cost of the tank brings it to 750 which is 1/2 the price of a new one.

Hear we go again, ;D there are those here on 3reef that consider me crazy for my opinions on this subject. See this thread "crack in glass, thoughts on fix" and you will understand what I mean.

Is fixing it more trouble than its worth, IMO no. It isn't that hard, its safe and you will end up with a great tank for a fraction of what a new one will cost. A new 3/4 inch panel from Glasscages.com - Home would cost $252 plus shipping. They would bring it to you Via their truck, they wanted $50 to deliver a 1/2 panel the same size to Chicago so I am assuming it would be around 150 to Colorado. According to their delivery schedule they were actually out in Denver today. so you would have to wait a few months for another delivery date so you might want to look around there.

As far as replacing it the instructions that are in the listing ad pretty much spot on except it is lacking a few items, one of which is cleaning before re-installation. This is one of the most critical parts of the job. Everything needs to be cleaned completely down to glass, no residue, no buts of silicone no nothing can be left on the glass.

On the mating surface I would recommend that you use a piece or two of emery cloth to clean up the edge so you get it clean as can be. While replacing the glass I would remove all the silicone in the seams so it can be redone, might as well do it now then you will not have to worry about it for many more years. But other than that he instructions are right on, remove it lay a bead of silicone down and lay it on, letting it dry for a least a week before moving though (24 hours is not because it isn't dry in the center) then flip it over and redo the seams, letting it dry once again for at least a week.

No this is what i would do, its not that hard, anyone with even the smallest amount of skill can do it. But as I said many think I am a little bit off center :-/ when it comes to this, LOL. Good luck with what ever you decide, and let me know how it goes if you decide to buy it.

 

For $300 bucks and some elbow grease I don't think you can go wrong. Take your time, and go through each piece once you get it. I'd bet that some of the stuff won't work or that you'd want to buy some new pieces anyways, but for $300 and $450-$500 to fix the tank, you you've got a good deal on the tank alone - if any of the other stuff works, and you use it, then the deal just got better. One last thing to be cautious of - copper, which is used in some freshwater meds. Might not be a bad idea to reseal the whole tank when you do the bottom?

 

i was talking a used tank you could probably get one for around 1000. however thanks for the site. that site does have great prices on glass alot cheaper then the ones i found. well now that you can get a piece of glass for that cheap id say go ahead and try it

 

I feel that replacing the glass is something that would be within my abilities. I am still thinking it over, and will likely not be able to do anything with it until payday. I so dislike payday only being once a month! If they still have it at that point, then I will do some follow-up and get more info.

I thank those who responded. Your advice and experience is most helpful.

 

I find that if I contact someone who has somethig I want on craigs list and let them know I want it they will usually either hold it for me for awhile or at least give me a shout if someone else is interested and give me a chance to buy it.

 

Well, someone beat me to the tank, which I suppose is for the best anyway. I hope it went to a home where someone would love it and make it beautiful! I am going to keep looking though.

 

DANG! I HATE it when that happens!!!:-[