The descent into salt madness

[jstrange]

Well, you have to have a catchy title right?
So, I have kept FWF for over 20 years. I was given a 135 RR tank. I am now going to SW. I am not doing a reef tank...yet. First things first. Front glass is scratched to Hades and back and I am slowly cutting it out. New glass to be ordered when I can take this glass with me to the glass store.

Next, I am doing a local fish only tank. I want to have made all my rookie mistakes on fish I catch out of the harbor here in Charleston SC. I will also be getting my water for water changes out of the harbor. Cest' la vie.

I have looked high and low, near and far for somebody else doing what I am and well, I have not had any luck in that. So, this thread will be a documentation of what happens. Please do not look for daily updates. I have way too much work to do to keep a roof over head and food on the table.

This leads to the next subject. Shoe string budget. If it is not hard, for some reason, I don't want to do it. I will be looking to shave nickles and dimes in any way I can. I am always up for good suggestions. Maybe, I will be able to help some other guy do what I want to do.

I am john and I am now a salt water addict. Pray for me.

[Dkuhlmann]

Welcome to RC John, by the way there is no hope and prayers only intensify the habit... er Hobby

[Ron Reefman]

John, how much of the equipment for a SW tank do you already own? I spent about a 12 to 16 months collecting the hardware I wanted to start my current system. I bought a 180g tank, a 75g hexagon tank and an 8'x2'x18" (180g) sump used for a total of $325. I got 2 new MH fixtures (4 250w MH and 4 39w t5) from an LFS going out of business for $150. I made my own 11'x30" stand myself. Many of the other odds and ends I also bought used. The one big thing I had to buy new was a 1hp chiller that cost me over $1200.

Watch Craigslist regularly and jump on the chance to go look at potential deals (you don't have to buy if it's junk, but the real good deals disappear quickly). Also find any local salt water clubs in your area and get hooked up. Even making a friend at an LFS or two can provide help. But the biggest advantage is to take your time.

I'm now 5 years into my system being up and running and I probably don't have more than about $5K in the entire thing, and that includes a $1200 chiller!

[Bogue Chitto]

You will be successful. You have the right attitude, but you will probably change your mind on the reef tank, most people do. Have fun with your new project, that's what keeps us going...

[thegrun]

You will need to remove all the glass panels and clean them before you reuse them. You cannot get a good seal applying new silicone over old silicone, it will eventually fail. Also be sure to use a quality silicone, I prefer Momentive RTV sealant. RTV103 is black and RTV108 is clear.

[kmbyrnes]

Hi John!

[homer1475]

Originally Posted by thegrun

You will need to remove all the glass panels and clean them before you reuse them. You cannot get a good seal applying new silicone over old silicone, it will eventually fail. Also be sure to use a quality silicone, I prefer Momentive RTV sealant. RTV103 is black and RTV108 is clear.

I was just going to type this out. Surprised no one else caught on that hes going to replace the front panel on 135G tank. Good luck with that one, and welcome to RC.

IMO either replace the entire tank, or live with the scratches. Replacing one panel isn't as easy as it sounds and basically requires you to take apart the entire tank and reseal all the glass. Something best left to the professionals.

[Bogue Chitto]

Not that hard, I have done it before and never had a problem.

[jstrange]

Originally Posted by thegrun

You will need to remove all the glass panels and clean them before you reuse them. You cannot get a good seal applying new silicone over old silicone, it will eventually fail. Also be sure to use a quality silicone, I prefer Momentive RTV sealant. RTV103 is black and RTV108 is clear.

All the panels? Errr. Too late to stop now. I have the front off. Why do I have to do all the other panels? Did this before with a 45 and it worked out pretty good for me.

I have been in construction for 35 or so years. Not worried about doing it. I know it is hard for a lot of people but at my age I have acquired a good deal of patience.

I did not mess up the side panels doing this so those seals are still solid. I am more than happy to hear the good the bad and the ugly of where I may be going wrong with this.
Thanks again.

eta: I am sitting here thinking that a large number of people have tried this before and it didn't work out so well for them.

[Reef Frog]

Local fish? That's interesting. But their needs may be different from the tropical sw fish most of us keep. For example they may not be happy in 80F aquariums. What species are you thinking about?

[garyinco]

With the "if it's easy I don't want want to do it" attitude, you're going to be a great reefer. Just expect spousal wrath when you start spending the big bucks. And looks of "you must be crazy" from friends and acquaintances.

With your RR acquisition, I'd sure try to get some decent live reef rock. It'd be a great investment long term. BRS is now offering "pick it up yourself at the airport" live rock. My first tank back in the early 90's was loaded with airport rock. And it was incredible. 100% totally self sustaining and on a daily basis myself and the office staff of 70 were finding new things. I did have to replace evaporated water and hit it with some kalkwasser to keep the alk up.

One of the greatest learning experiences I ever had.

[jstrange]

Originally Posted by Reef Frog

Local fish? That's interesting. But their needs may be different from the tropical sw fish most of us keep. For example they may not be happy in 80F aquariums. What species are you thinking about?

I know for a fact that the local fish needs will be different. I am going to use the fly fishing adage of "match the hatch"

The fish I will put in the tank will be what ever gets in the cast net and what ever other fish I catch on R&R.
I expect the most likely candidates will be lizard fish, oyster toads, speckled trout and a black sea bass. I do know that all fish must be of a legal size limit. I might in a way be creating an underwater thunderdome.

ETA: I'm going to mimic the temperature cycle of the weather out side. In the winter, I'll drop tank temps. I think if I do an outside sump, that will help with it.

[Shawn O]

The joints where the new glass meets the old glass is where you'll likely run into problems. Those two bottom corners could leak. As said before, new silicone does not seal well to old silicone. Good luck. Please post pics of the tank as it progresses.

[jstrange]

The LFS gave me a good clarifiation. I don't have to take the tank completely apart. I just have to get the silicone off the inside joints all the way around. The silicone that is in between each joint is so small that the cross section is less than 1/32 of an inch soooo, the new silicone will span that and more to the point that water will not even reach that part. Cool and GTG.

[Bogue Chitto]

There you go. That will work.