fixing used tanks???

[lizwinz]

my lfs is selling 15gal tanks for $15 dollars each...they come with hood and lights...they are store tanks now, they are going to be moving and also upgrading their display

they are used but in good shape except for one thing... they all have a whole drilled in the bottom

so i'm wondering how hard this is to fix, i'm think of just patching it with plexi-glass and silicon (on the inside) would this work if done right?

i'm definately thinking of getting 4 for a shellie display...2 tanks on top, 2 on the bottom with a custom cabinet and hood with different species in each tank

but if its an easy fix and you guys think its a good price i might buy 10 or more because when we buy a new house i plan on having a fish room

so let me know what you guys think

thanks

--liz

 

[Jawz]

how big are these holes?

 

[lizwinz]

*laughingc i was so excited i forgot to ask!!

probably a good thing to know tho, right?

i'll call tuesday to find out...i'm thinking the hole is probably just big enough for the filter tube they had going on, but i'd better ask

--liz

 

[AndyL]

Why not put the hole to use, with a central filtration system since you're planning on having them all in one place anyway?

Just a thought...

Andy

 

[FroggyFox]

AndyL had a great idea! you could ask them what they use (i.e. why the hole is there and what they use it for, what type of tubing etc) and see if you can make it work before you try patching them up.

but for 15 bucks a pop it would be worth a try!!

 

[Somonas]

Linzwiz, I would strongly advise against plexiglass. Use glass. It is not worth risking trying to glue two different materials together with silicone. even though the weight is pushing down on the hole patch...

...anyway. if the hole is 2" diameter, get a 3"x3" piece of glass cut, the same thickness as the rest of the tank, and just silicon it on... let it sit for a few days.. and fill'er up.

 

[AndyL]

Hole in the bottom would be for the overflow/return (where excess water runs out) then you'd just need to plumb a 'fill' line in.

Somonas has good advice for patching, but he leaves out two tidbits, you should make 2 uninterupted circles of silicone around the hole. One outside the other. And after you lay the patch on, you should put something heavy on it to press it down. After a day or so, I'd also run a bead of silicone around the edge of the patch to try to eliminate any sharp edges.

Andy

 

[lizwinz]

thanx for all the good advice everyone

i think i probably will put a deposit on them since it dosent seem like too difficult to fix, $15 isn't a steal but its still about half of what new ones cost

i think i'll look into trying to have central filtration for the shelldweller tanks since it the same water conditions & temp and i've done pretty well keeping my tanks healthy

the other ones will get patched in the future with glass, if patching with plexi-glass is risky i dont want to take that chance

thanx again

--liz