Just got a 75gal tank

[Chaos1783]

Hello I just bought a used 75gal tank that has the back glass painted white already. I was wondering if I painted black over it will it seep through the white paint if not what's the best way to get the white paint off so I can paint it black.

Also what kind of sump/filtration do you guys recommend for this size tank.

 

[Chaos1783]

Also the button is painted. In the pic it looks grey but is actually white

 

[Techie_]

Personally, I think you could get away with two Emperor 400 HOB filters (one may cut it, use two to be safe), make sure to change them out and do a 7.5 gallon water change every week... For extra precaution I would recommend Aquavito's Alpha for Reefs.

 

[jetmaker]

You can use a razor blade to remove the paint

 

[booth2010]

Most paint doesn't stick to glass well, if it doesn't just peel off, try a razorblade and soapy water.

 

[Chaos1783]

Ok I'll try the razor and see how it works. As far as the filtration I have 2 new fluval 406 canisters just laying around that I could use. Would that be enough for the tank plus I am adding 60/80 pounds of live rock that I will be buying

 

[drstratton]

Hello I just bought a used 75gal tank that has the back glass painted white already. I was wondering if I painted black over it will it seep through the white paint if not what's the best way to get the white paint off so I can paint it black.

Also what kind of sump/filtration do you guys recommend for this size tank.

I also have a 75g tank that I bought used! We drilled it for a 700 gph Glass-Holes overflow and bought a 40g breeder from Petco for the sump/refugium. I love this set up, but if I had it to do over again I would do a Bean Animal overflow (my next tank)! This is a bit more work to begin with, but I think you will be happier in the long run to use a sump rather than canister filters, IMO. You can see my tank via the link in my signature. Hope this helps and good luck!

 

[Techie_]

I also have a 75g tank that I bought used! We drilled it for a 700 gph Glass-Holes overflow and bought a 40g breeder from Petco for the sump/refugium. I love this set up, but if I had it to do over again I would do a Bean Animal overflow (my next tank)! This is a bit more work to begin with, but I think you will be happier in the long run to use a sump rather than canister filters, IMO. You can see my tank via the link in my signature. Hope this helps and good luck!

If you're going to drill be extremely careful as your tank is made of tempered glass... Also when trying the razor blade, make sure to attack the paint at a close to horizontal angle.

 

[jetmaker]

Here is my h20 overflow it's quiet and flows 1200 gph

 

[Chaos1783]

I'll look into the overflows. I have a spare 30gal tank I could use for a sump. Also I have never drilled a tank before so I am unsure if I wanted to do that. If I did a sumo it would be hob overflow

 

[mcarroll]

Yes, but I would set them up as empty as you can - no mechanical filter media. Empty would even be good! The flow will be good and helpful.

The alternative, using a regular load of filter media, is that it starts getting fouled up a few days after setup and by the end of the week it starts producing nitrates....so you've got a new weekly chore on your hands that you don't really need. (Or an algae probelm - you pick! )

• Ideally, sell the canisters or save them for another tank.
• Use simple, effective propeller-based powerheads for water movement.
• Your live rock will be all the bio-filter you need.
• Consider a Tunze Reefpack for a skimmer and filtration in-tank. It can also potentially hide your heater and auto-top-off sensor as well. A sump is commonly used, but is optional!
• If you decide to add a sump, it only needs anywhere between 150gph to 375gph of actual throughput. A smallish return pump will do the trick.

 

[jetmaker]

If you're going to drill be extremely careful as your tank is made of tempered glass... Also when trying the razor blade, make sure to attack the paint at a close to horizontal angle.

Only the bottom should be tempered.

 

[jetmaker]

Here is my h20 overflow it's quiet and flows 1200 gph

Yeah it's a 1 hole drill and you can get templates and hole saw from them. Really easy to drill.

 

[drstratton]

The key to drilling a tank is to go slow, let the drill bit do the work, make sure you keep the drill as level as possible! It's a bit nerve wracking, but I personally am glad that we went this route. If you are truly not comfortable doing this, a hang on back overflow works also!

 

[jetmaker]

The key to drilling a tank is to go slow, let the drill bit do the work, make sure you keep the drill as level as possible! It's a bit nerve wracking, but I personally am glad that we went this route. If you are truly not comfortable doing this, a hang on back overflow works also!

I'm glad I drilled mine too.​

 

[mcarroll]

Also when trying the razor blade, make sure to attack the paint at a close to horizontal angle.

+1 to this.

My first tank - a regular glass 38 gallon - has a nice gouge in the glass from my overzealous scraping when I first got it.

I might even suggest using a heat gun (or even a hair drier) to ease the removal of that paint....anyone think that would cause a problem for the glass?

 

[drstratton]

+1 to this.

My first tank - a regular glass 38 gallon - has a nice gouge in the glass from my overzealous scraping when I first got it.

I might even suggest using a heat gun (or even a hair drier) to ease the removal of that paint....anyone think that would cause a problem for the glass?

A heat gun shouldn't be a problem and is a great idea!

 

[drstratton]

Here's a thread I did to show how we drilled our tank, we had to do it inside because it was winter, if I was doing it outside I would have used a garden hose for the water source!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/drilling-a-tank-for-a-glass-holes-700gph-overflow.216978/

 

[jetmaker]

Here's a thread I did to show how we drilled our tank, we had to do it inside because it was winter, if I was doing it outside I would have used a garden hose for the water source!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/drilling-a-tank-for-a-glass-holes-700gph-overflow.216978/

Yeah I used water.

 

[drstratton]

Yeah I used water.

Lol, let me clarify, we used water also, but from a bottle to control how much and not flood the basement!