turn old into new

[sir charles]

i have an all glass aquarium, brand name, it is out dated. i say this because i've seen these tanks with 2 holes cut in the back. i love my hobby and my fishes. i would pretty much take this tank and modify it with these holes. i beleive this is for optimal water filtration. My tank is a 55 gal i use it for south amer cichilds. i have this urge to change my tank around using sand and stones with live vegetation. tring to mimmic a more surreal environment. I need some input and ideas. nuttin but time on my hands. so can some one help me out.

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

55g tanks are tempered so that means that they can not be drilled after the tempering process. Basically the company drills them before they get tempered. I would suggest a canister filter for better filtration. On my 55 I have a magnum 350 canister and 2 emperor 400's and 2 400gph power heads with sponges on them. I could get away with just the magnum but more doesn't hurt.

 

[keiths]

Instead of drilling the tank since it is probably tempered, I would just purchase an overflow like this one - http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3642

 

[Meadows117]

The overflows work really well in my experience

 

[blackhawkpowers]

There is also some DIY overflows posted on the forum here that you can make with PVC for under $10 (I have them setup on a few of my tanks) For the ciclids you can do a sand base with some pool sand or just pick up a bag of playground sand from home depot. (make sure to rinse the sand really well or your tank will be cloudy for days) I also throw a few large river rocks in just for looks along with some clay pots that I knock a few holes in for them to use as caves.