125 DIY build

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Over vacation someone in my area posted a used 120 gallon tank for free. I had a family member pick it up for me. At first sight it doesn't look too bad. Tank is scratched, but that's really all I noticed. When looking at it closer, the rim is chipped everywhere, and there are bubbles in the seam. I was already planning to redo the the sealing, but in spots there is almost no silicone.

The tank was made in 1996, and I assume it hasn't been resealed once. Now I believe I have to reseal and redo the seams.

The tank is 6ft long, so I believe the total volume is 125 gallons.

It's going to be a long project. This is my first ever DIY project in this hobby. This is also my second ever saltwater aquarium.

 

[Solo McReefer]

That

Belongs only in nightmares

Pretty sure, that's my first reef tank

Imagine walking into your first new home, with a bag of damsels and a yellow tang

And sloshing in a half inch of salt water in your living room

Because the tank cracked while you were at work

 

[felda001]

Over vacation someone in my area posted a used 120 gallon tank for free. I had a family member pick it up for me. At first sight it doesn't look too bad. Tank is scratched, but that's really all I noticed. When looking at it closer, the rim is chipped everywhere, and there are bubbles in the seam. I was already planning to redo the the sealing, but in spots there is almost no silicone.

The tank was made in 1996, and I assume it hasn't been resealed once. Now I believe I have to reseal and redo the seams.

The tank is 6ft long, so I believe the total volume is 120 gallons.

It's going to be a long project. This is my first ever DIY project in this hobby. This is also my second ever saltwater aquarium.

Congrats following along. Just remember patience and water testing.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

That

Belongs only in nightmares

Pretty sure, that's my first reef tank

Imagine walking into your first new home, with a bag of damsels and a yellow tang

And sloshing in a half inch of salt water in your living room

Because the tank cracked while you were at work

Yes, I understand the risks. The chip isn't a worry to me. And because I am going to be redoing the seams I am confident it will hold up for a few years.

 

[BristleWormHater]

That

Belongs only in nightmares

Pretty sure, that's my first reef tank

Imagine walking into your first new home, with a bag of damsels and a yellow tang

And sloshing in a half inch of salt water in your living room

Because the tank cracked while you were at work

This guy is the boogeyman of the forums, if he comments on your post you're doing something wrong lol

 

[Solo McReefer]

This guy is the boogeyman of the forums, if he comments on your post you're doing something wrong lol

Haha

If you want to fill up a 30 year old tank without silicone with actual water

By all means

That's nightmare fuel for me, is all

 

[PharmrJohn]

Yes, I understand the risks. The chip isn't a worry to me. And because I am going to be redoing the seams I am confident it will hold up for a few years.

You want something that'll have more than a few years of life. About 15 years back, I got a used 75g that started leaking about six months in. I had to replace it out but quick (with a 90) as there were livestock at risk. Took 2 to 3 days of work and stress. And that is why I shall NEVER buy used again.

 

[BristleWormHater]

Maybe you should reinforce it with clamps?

 

[BristleWormHater]

Maybe you should reinforce it with clamps?

Like these

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

You want something that'll have more than a few years of life. About 15 years back, I got a used 75g that started leaking about six months in. I had to replace it out but quick (with a 90) as there were livestock at risk. Took 2 to 3 days of work and stress. And that is why I shall NEVER buy used again.

Right. I am confident it will last more than a few years. What I mean is that I will likely have to take it down after a few years and upgrade to a new tank. I am planning to move in less than ten years. Once I get to the new house, I will probably upgrade to a new, larger tank and bring all livestock and rock with me.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Haha

If you want to fill up a 30 year old tank without silicone with actual water

By all means

That's nightmare fuel for me, is all

Who said there will be no silicone? I am resealing and redoing the seams.

 

[Solo McReefer]

Who said there will be no silicone? I am resealing and redoing the seams.

Following this thread

Antici...

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Following this thread

Antici...

Many people have done what I am doing and are successful... that being said some do fail too. I still don't know if this is going to actually hold water some day, it's just what I hope. There are lots of pros in my town who will happily come over and look at it and help me...

 

[Solo McReefer]

Many people have done what I am doing and are successful... that being said some do fail too. I still don't know if this is going to actually hold water some day, it's just what I hope. There are lots of pros in my town who will happily come over and look at it and help me...

Don't worry about me

I'm just a scaredy cat

I pulled up all my carpet in the living room and replaced with slate, so I wouldn't have neurosis about setting up a big tank

I would have installed a drain in the floor, if I had the money to do that

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Also here is the current FTS

 

[tbrown]

This guy is the boogeyman of the forums, if he comments on your post you're doing something wrong lol

Not necessarily. Sometimes he tells you you're doing something wrong when you're not.

Hopefully he never finds out I use tap water instead of RODI...

 

[luis angel]

Don't worry about me

I'm just a scaredy cat

I pulled up all my carpet in the living room and replaced with slate, so I wouldn't have neurosis about setting up a big tank

I would have installed a drain in the floor, if I had the money to do that

If you don't care what people think of you, then don't comment on things without knowing. You should have recommended or asked first if he was going to redo the silicone before commenting. But no, it is easier to come and say what someone supposedly does wrong, never throw stones at your neighbor's house if your roof is made of glass.

 

[Ollie67]

Also here is the current FTS

That thing's got the vintage wood lol. Really interested to see what you turn this into. Just take your time and triple-check everything before starting the cycle!

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

That thing's got the vintage wood lol. Really interested to see what you turn this into. Just take your time and triple-check everything before starting the cycle!

Yup! I plan to stress test it in my garage for a month once I get the stand built together and have finished redoing the seams and rsealing it.

 

[Solo McReefer]

Not necessarily. Sometimes he tells you you're doing something wrong when you're not.

Hopefully he never finds out I use tap water instead of RODI...

There was that one time, guy posted his ICP

And I read "Chlorine at 29,000"

Thought his crazy filipina girlfriend poured Clorox in his tank

I admitted that was stupid

Boy was that stupid, having the filipina girlfriend that one time. Iykyk