so i just got back home with my new to me tank. it is a 48" 100g tank came with a solid wood stand and canopy for a really good price. it is used but in decent shape, needs a really good cleaning tho. it is not drilled but i am 99% sure it is not tempered so my first question is who here has experience/proper tools to help me drill this thing.
my plan is to go with a diy led light system possibly with some extra t5 actinics. sump which i already have 20ish gallon fuge, or might just turn the sump into a fuge havent decided yet.
my next question is should i go bare bottom in the dt or not i will probably do a deep sand bed in the fuge in the 5-6" range but i dont like that my sand in my tank now stirs up so easily its really annoying but im not sure i would like the bare look on the bottom what do you guys think
Bare bottom or sand… that can go either way, and there is no correct answer. Just read up, and make a choice. there’s pros and cons to both. I agree with you about the “look” OF BB, but to each their own…
you did mention a dsb in the fuge? I’m not 100%, but i believe there’s a minimum sq footage for a dsb for it to work properly.
Drilling a tank is easy, just sounds intimidating “drilling glass” all you need is a drill, some plumbers putty, water and the correct drill bit. there’s lots of videos on youtube, and its as simple as it looks. The bits aren’t that expensive from bulk reef supply, $10-$20 i believe (depending on size). I only have one bit for drilling holes for a 3/4’’ bulkhead. Just keep in mind that the bits work best when they’re nice and brand new, although they are capable of drilling several holes, they do wear out.
imo, i’d start out with a brand new bit, especially if your drilling a tank thats important ( no big deal if its a 20g scratched up frag tank)
I’m willing to help out, as long as i can get to the tank’s location (wheelchair), and my 35mm bit still has some holes left in it if you have a need for 3/4’’ bulkhead, but you’ll def need bigger for that tank’s drain/drains. Maybe somebody has what you need? lmk
decisions, decisions… sand or none…
good luck, i drove myself crazy making that same choice when i set up my 30g.
Ben, I’m getting ready to upgrade my tank as well. You say you’re gonna drill your tank. Have you decide what type of over flow you gonna do? I’m still in-decisive on mine.
[quote=“reefman66, post:3, topic:5193”]
Ben, I’m getting ready to upgrade my tank as well. You say you’re gonna drill your tank. Have you decide what type of over flow you gonna do? I’m still in-decisive on mine.[/quote]
That’s true A, i was just thinking, that’s another decision he needs to make… verdict_in
you sound like me though, a couple months and you still can’t decide ::
i havent decided on an overflow yet it depends on if i drill the bottom or the back. ive read not to drill the bottom because that is where the most pressure is but every factory reef ready tank ive seen is bottom drilled and this tank has very thick glass so i dont see it being an issue but its hard to make decisions with all the conflicting opinions online
oh yeah and now i have to figure out how to get this tank out of my truck by myself. the wife is 8 months pregnant so shes not much help with a 150lb tank
[quote=“bsnow, post:5, topic:5193”]
i havent decided on an overflow yet it depends on if i drill the bottom or the back. ive read not to drill the bottom because that is where the most pressure is but every factory reef ready tank ive seen is bottom drilled and this tank has very thick glass so i dont see it being an issue but its hard to make decisions with all the conflicting opinions online[/quote]
[quote=“reefman66, post:3, topic:5193”]
Ben, I’m getting ready to upgrade my tank as well. You say you’re gonna drill your tank. Have you decide what type of over flow you gonna do? I’m still in-decisive on mine.[/quote]
That’s true A, i was just thinking, that’s another decision he needs to make… verdict_in
you sound like me though, a couple months and you still can’t decide ::[/quote]
John, I’m down to 2 option. Bean animal or glass hole box. Trying to see which one is quieter than other. Either way I’m drilling my tank.
[quote=“bsnow, post:6, topic:5193”]
oh yeah and now i have to figure out how to get this tank out of my truck by myself. the wife is 8 months pregnant so shes not much help with a 150lb tank[/quote]
8 months pregnant! you’re brave even bringing a tank project home ::hitsthefan::
i’d offer to help, but i would be less of a help moving a tank then her, or Paul ::
btw, if you haven’t checked to see if the glass is tempered, thats easy to do… just a cell phone and polarized sunglasses will do the trick.
and imho, when i do another big tank, i’d like to do my overflows through the back and save some realestate in the tank. The reef ready’s are sweet, don’t get me wrong, but they can function about the same while using 2/3’s less space
well my wife is really into fish too so its not that big of a deal and im not gonna rush into it just to get it running im gonna take my time and make sure i do it as right as i can and maybe try to save some money looking for deals on stuff i need
[quote=“bsnow, post:6, topic:5193”]
oh yeah and now i have to figure out how to get this tank out of my truck by myself. the wife is 8 months pregnant so shes not much help with a 150lb tank[/quote]
I can stop by tomorrow late afternoon after I wake up, if you can’t get any one by then. LMK
so i went and remeasured the tank today and the lady gave me bad measurements so it turns out i bought a 75 gallon tank. so i guess i will clean it up and resell it and try to find a good deal on 100+ gallon tank which i what i want instead of having an in between tank that ill just have to tear down in a year or less. so if anyone wants a 75 drillable tank with stand and canopy let me know
[quote=“bsnow, post:13, topic:5193”]
so i went and remeasured the tank today and the lady gave me bad measurements so it turns out i bought a 75 gallon tank. so i guess i will clean it up and resell it and try to find a good deal on 100+ gallon tank which i what i want instead of having an in between tank that ill just have to tear down in a year or less. so if anyone wants a 75 drillable tank with stand and canopy let me know[/quote]
[quote=“bsnow, post:13, topic:5193”]
so i went and remeasured the tank today and the lady gave me bad measurements so it turns out i bought a 75 gallon tank. so i guess i will clean it up and resell it and try to find a good deal on 100+ gallon tank which i what i want instead of having an in between tank that ill just have to tear down in a year or less. so if anyone wants a 75 drillable tank with stand and canopy let me know[/quote]
verdict_in
never trust a woman with a tape measure ::[/quote]
exactly, i guess sometimes i underestimate the stupidity of people. i always assumed that operating a tape measure was pretty self explanatory but maybe im just naive
i have a light pine stand and canopy for sale. sorry dont have pic right now but wiull get one up next day or so. i also have a 75 gallon non drilled tank. want $100 for stand and canopy. can have tank for another $50
so back to it i aquired a 90rr that fits on the stand i already. just getting the last few things to set it up so i will be posting alot in the near future.
stand is now stained, polyed and drying. i have to take done a mirror thats glued to the wall where the tank is goingand should start setting up this week
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