240 Acrylic tank start up

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bacon

bacon

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Sep 10, 2005
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Picking up a used 240 gallon acrylic tank today (8x2x2). It needs a lot of buffing/sanding, but I am looking forward to getting it done. It was listed for $750, but I got it for $400. Not too bad, but it is only the tank.

Going to be building my own stand/canopy. Not sure what I am going to do for filtration yet, maybe an FX5 or 2. Have to look into lighting as well. The search function will be my best friend.

Stock List will be my 14 yr old florida gar who has been in my 125. It will be a while before the tank is ready for him though. Not sure what else I will add when the time comes. Pretty excited about upgrading...finally.

Any tips/advice on anything are appreciated. I'll get some pics up soon.
 
Congrats on your new tank. I know your happy and exited for your new project.....filtration IMO for a tank that size I would go with a wet dry set up and it would be easy for you to drill holes for the drain if you needed to. If you decide you want to stay with canister then for sure I would do 2 fx5 cause for sure one is not gonna cut it. How big is your gar now since you had for 14 yrs? Today Im actually going to my friends house to do the same thing on his 400gal acrylic tank that he just got, do some buffing. It would be my first time buffing.

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geph said:
Congrats on your new tank. I know your happy and exited for your new project.....filtration IMO for a tank that size I would go with a wet dry set up and it would be easy for you to drill holes for the drain if you needed to. If you decide you want to stay with canister then for sure I would do 2 fx5 cause for sure one is not gonna cut it. How big is your gar now since you had for 14 yrs? Today Im actually going to my friends house to do the same thing on his 400gal acrylic tank that he just got, do some buffing. It would be my first time buffing.

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Click to expand...

I think a sump would be best. No more heaters and plumbing inside the tank. Having never set up a sump or drilled a tank, I am kinda nervous. I would like to make overflow boxes, but again, never done such. My gar is only 18 inches or so. He was in a 55 when I first bought him for a while. He has been in the 125 for 8 yrs or so. Hve fun buffing your friends tank. Let me know how it goes.

jay_leask said:
use your 125g as the sump
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I thought about it, but I am going to keep that one running with some other stuff in it, or a grow out.

How difficult is it to cut holes for return into galss? Or should I use an underwater pump? Much to learn here. Tank is in rough shape, so it is going to be a lot of sanding before I even think of setting up the filter.
 
Started sanding yesterday for a few hours. Have many more hours to go. I also decided to go the sump route and HOB overflow boxes. Using Eshopps products I purchased from RAY777. Anyone have any experience with this? Looks simple enough, just happy to be able to keep heater and such out of the tank.

When I get the sanding done I will start building my stand and canopy. However, I currently have my bathroom gutted and have to finish the remodel on that, or my wife will kill me.

Not sure what I am doing for lighting at this point, anyone use shop lights? (my last resort)
 
Drilling holes shouldnt be hard since its acrylic, just take your time and don't rush and do it right.......research research research. Helping out my friend with the sanding was hard work especially for him cause he was doing the inside, and he started with 250 and after that was 500,1000,1200,1500, and last is 2000. He left of on the 500 and remember its a 400gal lol. A little FYI for you, don't leave you tank in the sun. He left it out and it rained and when it got sunny it crack his tank on top about 8in big which is fixable and not visible after he puts the canopy..

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Thanks. Yeah, it is in my garage, where i'm doing the work. Sanding isn't much fun...lol
 
bacon said:
Started sanding yesterday for a few hours. Have many more hours to go. I also decided to go the sump route and HOB overflow boxes. Using Eshopps products I purchased from RAY777. Anyone have any experience with this? Looks simple enough, just happy to be able to keep heater and such out of the tank.

When I get the sanding done I will start building my stand and canopy. However, I currently have my bathroom gutted and have to finish the remodel on that, or my wife will kill me.

Not sure what I am doing for lighting at this point, anyone use shop lights? (my last resort)
Click to expand...


shop lights are fine make sure they are white bulbs and sump and fx5 i feel is the best
 
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