Picked up a 125, needs work!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
C

cvermeulen

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Jun 4, 2007
1,876
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36
Los Osos, CA
Price was right today for $100 with (crappy) stand. The tank looked like ass when I picked it up, but with some TLC I think it'll be good. I'll get some pics going in here tomorrow hopefully and we can document the setup/refurbishing process. Some problems:

1) There is packing tape all over the black frame, which I find really odd, and a large pain in the ass. The tape has clearly been there a long time, as it's really really tough to get off. Once it's off though, the frame appears to be in good shape.

2) the bottom plastic trim has been painted with that mid 90's speckle paint that's supposed to make anything crappy look good again. It still looks crappy.

3) The tank is 5 feet long and has no center brace (5ft x 1.5ft x 2ft). It's made with 1/2" glass, but I still find it a bit sketchy that there is no center brace. This will also make finding tops for the tank a challenge.

4) the stand is framed with steel rafter joints and 2x4's. I'm going to take it apart and glue and screw it back together, then clad it with some plywood and either paint or stain it.

Anyways, just excited, got a new tank. just need to find a spot for it :p
 
Dont make the mistake and get excited and set it up. If anything look out of the norm structure wise its best to handle it now and not while your in 2" of water :) A tank I got off craigs list had sketchy silicone and it lasted for 6 months but it dumped 20g on the carpet and was a mess to clean up. Best to take you time and add the brace and inspect that silicone before its too late. Fusion paint is great for plastic and will add new life to crappy trim.

Have fun!
 
It's sitting outside full while I fix the stand. I've dealt with my share of leaky tanks, and I agree, it sucks! The tank looks good structurally though, except the missing brace (which it looks like it never had. I wonder if I should add one?) I've got time to bide while I set it all up properly.
 
:headbang2:headbang2:headbang2:headbang2:headbang2Wahooo:headbang2:headbang2:headbang2:headbang2:headbang2

New tank!

I'd put a brace in, just match it to the top you want (not ofen you get to do that).

Geeesh, been posted for 7 hrs and no one has asked what your going to stock in it :ROFL:.

Good luck and keep us posted,

Dr Joe

.
 
The older tanks used really thick glass with no center brace. I had a chance to get a 125 gallon just like that but passed on it as I didn't want to full with the weight of that sucker.

And yes.. whats going in it?
 
I've got a 110 tall without a center brace and it works just fine, but I'd suggest adding the brace just for the extra bit of confidence. The older thicker glass is awesome, but a living room or any room full of water that's not a pool isn't.

So what are you going to put in the tank?
 
I'm scratching my head about what to put in it right now. It was advertized as a 4x2.5x2.5 120 gallon, which would fit perfect in the corner of my bedroom and be a great new home to my growing TSN. However since it's only 18" deep, it won't really be a huge upgrade for him over the 36x18x18 he's in right now. There's rumblings of going salt but I don't think I'll do that. I'll probably move the catfish to it and put a silver aro in for company. I still need to build a much larger tank for these two guys down the road, but this will be another step along the way.

Either that or I'll get it fixed up and maybe sell or trade it for a deeper tank.
 
I have a 125 tank I got second hand on CL...no centerbrace. Its AGA brand and has been set up for about 2 months now full...silicone looked great however no clue how old it is...you're making me nervous :( haha

Should I be?
 
LOL. I just picked up ANOTHER 120 last night. This one is a 4x2x2 though (like I originally wanted). I'll probably fix up the 125 long and sell it. The 4x2x2 also has a drilled bottom which is nice, and is made from 1/2" glass. Heavy!
 
cvermeulen;2050529; said:
LOL. I just picked up ANOTHER 120 last night. This one is a 4x2x2 though (like I originally wanted). I'll probably fix up the 125 long and sell it. The 4x2x2 also has a drilled bottom which is nice, and is made from 1/2" glass. Heavy!
Click to expand...

Hmmm, if I can't get a good sum for the 125 long, I'm SURE I could find a nice frame to put a a pair of 1/2" thick 5 foot by 2 foot window in.

5x4x2 with 2 windows?
10x4x2 with front window? Hmmmmmm
 
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