Gifted a tank

[Backto6]

Someone gave me a 55g aquarium that was used for a reptile long ago and is made of tempered glass. Any idea what i should do with it. Lfs arent taking anything as of rn.

 

[Arricefe]

Are you wanting to set it up? Have you had a tank before?

 

[Backto6]

Are you wanting to set it up? Have you had a tank before?

Yeah i want to set it up. Ive set up a simple tanks before but with this one, i want to go all out and plumb it. But since its tempered glass i was wondering if you guys recommend selling it and getting anew one so i can drill it or use a hob overflow?

 

[Arricefe]

Yeah i want to set it up. Ive set up a simple tanks before but with this one, i want to go all out and plumb it. But since its tempered glass i was wondering if you guys recommend selling it and getting anew one so i can drill it or use a hob overflow?

For a tank that can't be drilled you can use a n overflow, they work just fine even if they are not ideal. "YouTube it"

 

[xtian]

Years ago I read not to use tanks that housed reptiles for fish. Forgot the reason but may be something to look into.

 

[Backto6]

Years ago I read not to use tanks that housed reptiles for fish. Forgot the reason but may be something to look into.

Yeah that something that i was hoping to be answered. I would imagine i can "cycle a tank" like we do with live rock

 

[Backto6]

For a tank that can't be drilled you can use a n overflow, they work just fine even if they are not ideal. "YouTube it"

I know about hob overflow boxes but i heard not to get them because they can cause floods. Any thought?

 

[Arricefe]

I know about hob overflow boxes but i heard not to get them because they can cause floods. Any thought?

I ran my first tank with an overflow for years without any problems. Right now I have a small tank plumbed into my DT's sump with an overflow, I am not worried one bit about a flood.

 

[Backto6]

I ran my first tank with an overflow for years without any problems. Right now I have a small tank plumbed into my DT's sump with an overflow, I am not worried one bit about a flood.

Ok il get into that. How about the fact it was a reptile terrarium? You reccoment i let the tank cycle like we do with live rock?

 

[Arricefe]

Ok il get into that. How about the fact it was a reptile terrarium? You reccoment i let the tank cycle like we do with live rock?

I'm not familiar with the reptile thing but yeah you'll need to cycle the tank. If you're concerned give it a thorough cleaning with bleach and leave it outside to "gas off" BTW i have bleached rock so a it won't be an issue.

 

[Backto6]

I'm not familiar with the reptile thing but yeah you'll need to cycle the tank. If you're concerned give it a thorough cleaning with bleach and leave it outside to "gas off" BTW i have bleached rock so a it won't be an issue.

Yeah ok. Thats all i needed to know. Thank you!

 

[Aggro]

Ok il get into that. How about the fact it was a reptile terrarium? You reccoment i let the tank cycle like we do with live rock?

I would suggest to clean with bleach let completely dry for a couple days then start a cycle if you’re set in using it. Clean the inside and outside of the tank.

 

[JoshH]

@Crabs McJones might have an insight on the using a reptile tank as a reef tank

 

[Crabs McJones]

From what I understand, if the tank was manufactured specifically for reptile keeping, you don't want to fill it with water. The silicone they use is different and the glass they use is different and cannot handle the stress of the water weight.

 

[jradishness]

I’ve also read that the heat lamps used to house reptiles dries out the silicone increasing chance of failure when filled with water.

 

[Backto6]

From what I understand, if the tank was manufactured specifically for reptile keeping, you don't want to fill it with water. The silicone they use is different and the glass they use is different and cannot handle the stress of the water weight.

I believe its an aqueon 55 gallon long. Theirs a sticker on it that says "built by D.O oct 2003." With a picture on an anchor.