Old tank & powerhead questions

Orm Embar · 12/03/2016, 02:48 PM

Reposting here (no responses)-

Short version - I'm setting up a reef tank again; most of the equipment is here, but I'm not sure if I should use my current tank and stand or not. I'm also not sure which Tunze powerheads to go with, but that's minor compared to the tank.

Longer version-

I'm setting up a 37 gallon reef (sumpless), as follows:
37 gallon Oceanic tank (24x18x20) and stand (laminate, not particleboard) - it's over 10 years old, never used, has been moved a few times. Not leak tested yet

Lighting: AI Hydra HD on order, probably going to go with the gooseneck mount for flexibility although I like the new HMI one better

Skimming: AquaMaxx HOB-1, to be used during tank setup and for emergencies. Generally off otherwise. Filtration via live rock/1-2" sandbed for sifting gobies/some macroalgae

Water movement: 2 Tunze powerheads, unclear on which models

RO/DI unit, test kits, etc also purchased, Eheim Jager heater, so on and so forth. I don't have a temperature controller yet, going to go with Ranco or Inkbird and a shrinkwrapped probe.

? - assuming the tank doesn't leak after a week or so in the garage, how do you tell if it is structurally sound? I have fears that the silicone has gotten weaker over time or that it's a disaster waiting to happen. I don't have any reason to suspect this, except that the tank has been moved a lot. Does silicone get weaker over time and need to be replaced, or am I ok if it passes the leaktest? Alternately, I can just go with a custom Starfire tank (this one is regular glass) which answers that question. I also just saw that AquaMaxx makes a 32 gallon Starfire, which would also work if it is big enough for a Midas blenny and a royal gramma/P. fridmani.

? - what powerheads would you use? I was thinking of a Tunze 6015 or 6020 across the front of the tank, and another higher up on the other side going across the back. Tank will be predominately softies and some LPS corals. An SPS or two would be nice, but I doubt that they would do well in a softy dominated tank without regular skimming.

What would you do?

ca1ore · 12/03/2016, 04:17 PM

As long as there is no obvious structural damage, I see no reason not to use it.

Orm Embar · 12/03/2016, 06:25 PM

Thanks for the response.

I think that I answered my own question just now, though - I uncrated the tank, and the seams feel irregular near the top of the tank but not near the bottom (one of the glass panels feels like it has moved out of place relative to the other near the top of the tank).

Now it's a question of re-siliconing the tank, buying a new tank, or buying a new tank with an overflow and sump/new stand. I'm not a DIY person, so re-siliconing is probably not going to happen.

12/03/2016, 02:48 PM	#1
Orm Embar Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 667	Old tank & powerhead questions Reposting here (no responses)- Short version - I'm setting up a reef tank again; most of the equipment is here, but I'm not sure if I should use my current tank and stand or not. I'm also not sure which Tunze powerheads to go with, but that's minor compared to the tank. Longer version- I'm setting up a 37 gallon reef (sumpless), as follows: 37 gallon Oceanic tank (24x18x20) and stand (laminate, not particleboard) - it's over 10 years old, never used, has been moved a few times. Not leak tested yet Lighting: AI Hydra HD on order, probably going to go with the gooseneck mount for flexibility although I like the new HMI one better Skimming: AquaMaxx HOB-1, to be used during tank setup and for emergencies. Generally off otherwise. Filtration via live rock/1-2" sandbed for sifting gobies/some macroalgae Water movement: 2 Tunze powerheads, unclear on which models RO/DI unit, test kits, etc also purchased, Eheim Jager heater, so on and so forth. I don't have a temperature controller yet, going to go with Ranco or Inkbird and a shrinkwrapped probe. ? - assuming the tank doesn't leak after a week or so in the garage, how do you tell if it is structurally sound? I have fears that the silicone has gotten weaker over time or that it's a disaster waiting to happen. I don't have any reason to suspect this, except that the tank has been moved a lot. Does silicone get weaker over time and need to be replaced, or am I ok if it passes the leaktest? Alternately, I can just go with a custom Starfire tank (this one is regular glass) which answers that question. I also just saw that AquaMaxx makes a 32 gallon Starfire, which would also work if it is big enough for a Midas blenny and a royal gramma/P. fridmani. ? - what powerheads would you use? I was thinking of a Tunze 6015 or 6020 across the front of the tank, and another higher up on the other side going across the back. Tank will be predominately softies and some LPS corals. An SPS or two would be nice, but I doubt that they would do well in a softy dominated tank without regular skimming. What would you do? __________________ Mark (on AOL: Orm Embar) Quotes from my friends upon seeing my tank: "Hey, fresh sushi!"

12/03/2016, 04:17 PM	#2
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	As long as there is no obvious structural damage, I see no reason not to use it. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

12/03/2016, 06:25 PM	#3
Orm Embar Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 667	Thanks for the response. I think that I answered my own question just now, though - I uncrated the tank, and the seams feel irregular near the top of the tank but not near the bottom (one of the glass panels feels like it has moved out of place relative to the other near the top of the tank). Now it's a question of re-siliconing the tank, buying a new tank, or buying a new tank with an overflow and sump/new stand. I'm not a DIY person, so re-siliconing is probably not going to happen. __________________ Mark (on AOL: Orm Embar) Quotes from my friends upon seeing my tank: "Hey, fresh sushi!"