New Tank Set up

[vissichellimg]

A few years back I was given a 90 gallon tank that I finally have a place to set it up and plan to use it to upgrade my 29 gallon tank. The old tank i was given is in good shape but was used for salt and has a pretty crusty layer on the inside of it. Any recommendations on the best way to clean it?

My second question i have is regarding the the tank itself which is not drilled out. I read a lot of posts and have seen a lot of peoples tanks and seems everyone has the drilled out tanks with a sump. I realize that allows more water and helps minimize problems because of the larger amount of water exchange but I was wondering are there any major problems with just using the tank as is with a hang on skimmer for filtration? I plan on doing a reef tank with PC lighting, live rock, deep sand bed and small fish like clowns, gobies, blennies. Any comments on use of a drilled vs. undrilled tank are appreciated as well as how to best set up an undrilled tank.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[jazzsam]

A few years back I was given a 90 gallon tank that I finally have a place to set it up and plan to use it to upgrade my 29 gallon tank. The old tank i was given is in good shape but was used for salt and has a pretty crusty layer on the inside of it. Any recommendations on the best way to clean it?

My second question i have is regarding the the tank itself which is not drilled out. I read a lot of posts and have seen a lot of peoples tanks and seems everyone has the drilled out tanks with a sump. I realize that allows more water and helps minimize problems because of the larger amount of water exchange but I was wondering are there any major problems with just using the tank as is with a hang on skimmer for filtration? I plan on doing a reef tank with PC lighting, live rock, deep sand bed and small fish like clowns, gobies, blennies. Any comments on use of a drilled vs. undrilled tank are appreciated as well as how to best set up an undrilled tank.

Thanks,
Mike

Vinegar to clean it. That is the only way I have ever heard of cleaning a tank.

Also, the sump just makes things EASY. I have 2 systems without and one with and let me say it DOES makes a difference. Also, the increased water volume really helps.

 

[Brian]

I agree with Sam, on both parts.

You don't need to have the tank drilled to have a sump, while it's the better way to go, it's not the only way. You can also use a HOB Overflow box and connect that to a sump.

If you are going to drill the tank, make sure the glass isn't tempered.

 

[JohnS_323]

The best way I've found to clean a crusty, dirty tank is to fill it with water and then use a ReefGadget on it. It cleans the glass to like-new condition in a matter of minutes. You can try PM'ing RichT to see if he has any available.

 

[Carlo]

If the deposit doesn't come off easy with a razor blade (easier to use via a Reef Gadget) and vinegar doesn't help you can try CLR as it's probably some type of deposit stain that has set in.

This is one of the safest "strong" products to use. If you go this route clean the CLR with vinegar then clean the what's left of the vinegar with water. A bit of vinegar left isn't going to cause any major problems but try and get as much of it out as possible.

Carlo

 

[vissichellimg]

Thanks to everyone for your input. I will have to set aside an afternoon with my razor blade and vinegar and see how i do.

I will have to do some research on using a HOB overflow as i do not know anything about them. Any suggestions on good places to look for info about setting one up?

Mike

 

[JohnS_323]

Overflow boxes are pretty much a no brainer. Just hang it on the back of your tank, run a drain line from the bulk head on the bottom of it to your sump, start a siphon and you're good to go. Some overflow boxes are supposedly better than others. I can't remember the name of the "really good" ones that are supposed to never lose their siphon. From my experience, it doesn't matter what type you buy as long as you connect a $12 aqualifter to it to keep air out.

Feel free to ask any questions. There are a lot of people around here who use them.

 

[JRWOHLER]

Vinegar to clean it. That is the only way I have ever heard of cleaning a tank.

Also, the sump just makes things EASY. I have 2 systems without and one with and let me say it DOES makes a difference. Also, the increased water volume really helps.
[/quote]

It helps if you can plumb it into your kitchen pantry. Honestly I have seen a couple really nice setups the last few weeks. I would definately go with skimmer into a sump with a fuge. Sam's is as impressive as I have seen, but I saw one last night that was a lot smaller but very effective fit right under the tank.

 

[mladencovic]

While HOB oveflow boxes are much much easier then drilling the tank (which can possibly crack it if not done properly), they require constant attention and monitoring. They are based on the syphoning effect between couple of chambers and after a while that syphoning effect can break due to the accumulated air in the connecting chamber/pipe. That, of course does not happen every day, or every week, but will eventually happen if the box was not kept primed and free of air.

 

[JohnS_323]

While HOB oveflow boxes are much much easier then drilling the tank (which can possibly crack it if not done properly), they require constant attention and monitoring. They are based on the syphoning effect between couple of chambers and after a while that syphoning effect can break due to the accumulated air in the connecting chamber/pipe. That, of course does not happen every day, or every week, but will eventually happen if the box was not kept primed and free of air.

The best way to eliminate the loss of siphon is to attach an aqualifter pump to it. Most good boxes will have a port on the top that you can attach a piece of airline tubing to. The aqualifter attaches to that port and continually pulls the air out so it doesn't get the chance to accumulate. Without the aqualifter you definitely have to stay on top of it. With it, it's pretty much maintenance free. I have found, though, that you need to replace the aqualifter every year or so.

 

[sgarron]

Vinegar will take off most of it, any stubborn areas can be cleaned with muriatic acid.

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