Starting a new 90 gallon

[Michael Allen]

Okay reefers, i just picked up this 90 gallon (no clue on brand). It is a glass 24x48x19 drilled tank. The tank was totally neglected 1/2 thick layer of green and red slime, about 10 million flat worms but was happy to see it was still full of water.

So here are my questions.

Currently the tank is pretty cleaned up soaking in a vinegar bath for about a week so far. Should I drain the tank and let it start to dry out? Also, what else should i do to prep this thing for Salt.

Next while i was cleaning i noticed there was a bunch of algae behind the silicone, Should i have this removed and all resealed? My thought is yes. Its cheap, but i don't want to mess with the integrity of the tank.

The only thing that concerns me now with my cleaning job is the Overflow. Not very easy to clean between the water columns of the overflow. will this be removable if i re seal the tank? or will the vinegar bath take care of any detrimental hiding there.

One last thing, noticed some deep scratches. any glass filler reef safe? or any way to safely fill the scratches, or should i just leave them.

Thanks, in advance, for everyone's help!

 

[Michael Allen]

Oh yeah, not a bad deal for $100 Tank stand and canopy. i already have a 40gallon tank/sump, and t5 setup. just need some pumps and a new megaflow kit.

 

[Palyzoa]

Tuff decision to make. Honestly, if the silicone is in good condition and has a tight seal I wouldn't bother trying to reseal it. However if the silicone is in rough shape it would be worth it to just do it now while the tank is in this stage. You would have to remove the overflow box to properly reseal the whole aquarium which isn't to difficult. Replace the overflow at the same time you reseal the tank.

Resealing can be a pain and needs to be done right. For example removing all the old silicone residue with razor blade rags and acetone.

As for the scratches, I don't know of any fillers that are reef safe.

Good luck

 

[Michael Allen]

Tuff decision to make. Honestly, if the silicone is in good condition and has a tight seal I wouldn't bother trying to reseal it. However if the silicone is in rough shape it would be worth it to just do it now while the tank is in this stage. You would have to remove the overflow box to properly reseal the whole aquarium which isn't to difficult. Replace the overflow at the same time you reseal the tank.

Resealing can be a pain and needs to be done right. For example removing all the old silicone residue with razor blade rags and acetone.

As for the scratches, I don't know of any fillers that are reef safe.

Good luck

Thanks for the reply, if i were to get the tank resealed i would hire someone local that does them frequently. My LFS does them. i absolute do not trust myself to handle that task!

Nothing is dripping, might just try to take a sponge to the seal and see if i can get it to clean any. Maybe i will get lucky and it will be on the outside of the silicone.

 

[Adele]

Nice set up and welcome to the 90 club. Personally I would be cautious about removing the silicone, but to paraphrase @Palyzoa , if its in decent shape and not leaking you might leave well enough alone. This is a great place to start your build thread so keep the updates coming.

 

[Michael Allen]

Nice set up and welcome to the 90 club. Personally I would be cautious about removing the silicone, but to paraphrase @Palyzoa , if its in decent shape and not leaking you might leave well enough alone. This is a great place to start your build thread so keep the updates coming.

Thanks for the input. So glad i found this tank at a steal. i have a 32 biocube and have been waiting for a deal. I think i am going to inspect the seals a little better and see if any seem loose or tore or anything Fishy. Will update progress as i move forward!

 

[Michael Allen]

Update 6/4/18 - Got some Dry base rock from some local reefers. Played around a bit the front one I tore down, the back piece i glued together. I started on a shelving tower i will post it up when i finish it.

I got the tank soaking in prime, to make sure it will be safe. will be mixing salt and some RODI when my levels look good. (want to make sure nothing is leaching). All the algae came off the silicone and it all looks intact.

Also Replaced my old overflow kit with a new Megaflow kit. New clear return lines, New drain lines. Sump is a 40 gallon, holding about 30 gallons. Need a different pump. The one i have is brand new, says it is 1260 gph and has super weak pressure ( return pointed to the top, and ripples wont reach the other end of a 48" tank)