Getting back into the hobby with an old tank that needs work.

340six · 09/14/2013, 01:44 AM

Guess I will introduce my self [b] Kevin[b] I used to work a place that had 250,000 gallons with sharks in it as well as lots of other fits nice tank so i have some back ground and built;t this tank back when i worked there with some help from the owner thanks Jack
What i have now is a 35 year old I have a 75 gallon Oceanic Aquarium 48" wide with the glass in center at the top for glass lid. So when ya remove the glass top it still has the glass front and rear in the center. I had for 25 years or so. the canopy needs a little re-fab and paint and lights/ Gutted the old 4-48 T8 that were in there ballast wires bulbs switches everything!
When new it was done by a local who used to do take this brand tanks and put a built in under gravel system. With crushed coral base and then epoxied on the rear glass.Built in each conner put in 2 Hagen Aqua Clear Powerheads 802's inside the glass box covered whit CC is one I think 402 pump {on 1.2"-2" pipes} glass also covered with crushed coral. as it has a built in undergravel.
My old light system was home made 4 48" T8 2 Daylight and 2 Actinic with Aquarium ends caps with regular ballist on switches {kinda like an O ring that sealed over the bulb ends}
So I ripped all that out and will start fresh with a plug and play Retro kit from Hamilton Technology Aquarium Supplies 48 inch , 2x54 watt HO T5 Low Profile with LED's for moon lights (L48"xW5"xH5")

Once set up I have a 75-100 gallon size wet dry with Bio balls, protein skimmer, pump and return hoses to add on.
Does anyone see something I should change or recommendations. This take was up and running till 2005 when Katrina hit us and we had no power and was flooded so most was ruined so did not work. Now have what I think I need to get it back up and going again for just fish.

I have pics of the as it sits now I can post if anyone wants to see the lowly 75 gall tank
Thanks

dkeller_nc · 09/14/2013, 07:57 AM

Well, one change I'd suggest is to get rid of the wet/dry with bioballs. Presuming you're setting up a reef aquarium or a FOWLR (fish-only with live rock), you don't need the bio-balls, and they can actually work against you by rapidly producing nitrate from food added to the aquarium.

Also, you mentioned that at least the tank is old. If the skimmer is equally "vintage", you may want to consider replacing it with a modern needle-wheel skimmer. They are vastly more efficient than the older venture-driven units, although air-stone driven skimmers are still quite effective if enough air is pumped through the right wooden air stone, and the air stone is replaced on a monthly basis.

09/14/2013, 01:44 AM	#1
340six Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 8	Getting back into the hobby with an old tank that needs work. Guess I will introduce my self [b] Kevin[b] I used to work a place that had 250,000 gallons with sharks in it as well as lots of other fits nice tank so i have some back ground and built;t this tank back when i worked there with some help from the owner thanks Jack What i have now is a 35 year old I have a 75 gallon Oceanic Aquarium 48" wide with the glass in center at the top for glass lid. So when ya remove the glass top it still has the glass front and rear in the center. I had for 25 years or so. the canopy needs a little re-fab and paint and lights/ Gutted the old 4-48 T8 that were in there ballast wires bulbs switches everything! When new it was done by a local who used to do take this brand tanks and put a built in under gravel system. With crushed coral base and then epoxied on the rear glass.Built in each conner put in 2 Hagen Aqua Clear Powerheads 802's inside the glass box covered whit CC is one I think 402 pump {on 1.2"-2" pipes} glass also covered with crushed coral. as it has a built in undergravel. My old light system was home made 4 48" T8 2 Daylight and 2 Actinic with Aquarium ends caps with regular ballist on switches {kinda like an O ring that sealed over the bulb ends} So I ripped all that out and will start fresh with a plug and play Retro kit from Hamilton Technology Aquarium Supplies 48 inch , 2x54 watt HO T5 Low Profile with LED's for moon lights (L48"xW5"xH5") Once set up I have a 75-100 gallon size wet dry with Bio balls, protein skimmer, pump and return hoses to add on. Does anyone see something I should change or recommendations. This take was up and running till 2005 when Katrina hit us and we had no power and was flooded so most was ruined so did not work. Now have what I think I need to get it back up and going again for just fish. I have pics of the as it sits now I can post if anyone wants to see the lowly 75 gall tank Thanks

09/14/2013, 07:57 AM	#2
dkeller_nc Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Central NC Posts: 5,062	Well, one change I'd suggest is to get rid of the wet/dry with bioballs. Presuming you're setting up a reef aquarium or a FOWLR (fish-only with live rock), you don't need the bio-balls, and they can actually work against you by rapidly producing nitrate from food added to the aquarium. Also, you mentioned that at least the tank is old. If the skimmer is equally "vintage", you may want to consider replacing it with a modern needle-wheel skimmer. They are vastly more efficient than the older venture-driven units, although air-stone driven skimmers are still quite effective if enough air is pumped through the right wooden air stone, and the air stone is replaced on a monthly basis.