50 gallon "handmedown" ideas

[Jcala]

Hey guys (and gals) I got this tank from an uncle, it's a very old tank. Used to be a SW. I want to do some easy and useful DIY PROJECTS!

[FishCr8zy]

Originally Posted by Jcala

Hey guys (and gals) I got this tank from an uncle, it's a very old tank. Used to be a SW. I want to do some easy and useful DIY PROJECTS!

Are u going to do freshwater or SW? First off, repaint the stand.
Are u going to DIY everything? Anything you are not going to DIY?

[Jcala]

Originally Posted by FishCr8zy

Are u going to do freshwater or SW? First off, repaint the stand.
Are u going to DIY everything? Anything you are not going to DIY?

Freshwater! Painting the stand will be done! I'm going to try some Dyi stuff but I just want to hear some good ideas!

[FishCr8zy]

Originally Posted by Jcala

Freshwater! Painting the stand will be done! I'm going to try some Dyi stuff but I just want to hear some good ideas!

You can do a whole set up DIY with the exeption of the tank itself.
The canister filter can be a multi-drawer cabinet ( sterilite has them) in each draw, put the filtration. ( mech., chem., bio ). Drill a hole in the top of the whole draw so that the pipe leading water into the filter can fit in. On the bottom of each drawer, drill small holes on the perimeter. Put all the media into the drawers. Put the whole drawer into a large plastic container that does not leak. Make sure water can get through the tower and into the plastic container without clogging or else when used as a filter, it will overflow. Put the water pump into the plastic container, next to the tower. You will need two underwater water pumps. Put one in the tank and attach the hose to it. Silicone the other end of the hose to the top opening of the tower. Put the second pump into the large plastic container. Attach a hose to the output nozzle of the pump and lead the hose back into the tank. Make a diy spray bar by getting a pvc pipe that can fit into the hose nice and tight. drill small holes in one side of the pipe about 2-3" apart. Get a stopper to plug the other end of the pipe. On the other side of the pipe, silicone suction cups ( 2-3 ) to it. wait for silicone to dry and attach to side of tank. U want to make sure the pump in the tank is stronger than the pump in the plastic tub so that the tub will not run dry and break the pump in the tub.

[reyma10]

Why put an extra pump in the tank when all it will do is heat the water it would be fine if just a pump in the bin or sump whatever u plan on making and to get water from the dt do a DIY overflow made if PVC since u want to go with a DIY project

[Jcala]

Originally Posted by FishCr8zy

You can do a whole set up DIY with the exeption of the tank itself.
The canister filter can be a multi-drawer cabinet ( sterilite has them) in each draw, put the filtration. ( mech., chem., bio ). Drill a hole in the top of the whole draw so that the pipe leading water into the filter can fit in. On the bottom of each drawer, drill small holes on the perimeter. Put all the media into the drawers. Put the whole drawer into a large plastic container that does not leak. Make sure water can get through the tower and into the plastic container without clogging or else when used as a filter, it will overflow. Put the water pump into the plastic container, next to the tower. You will need two underwater water pumps. Put one in the tank and attach the hose to it. Silicone the other end of the hose to the top opening of the tower. Put the second pump into the large plastic container. Attach a hose to the output nozzle of the pump and lead the hose back into the tank. Make a diy spray bar by getting a pvc pipe that can fit into the hose nice and tight. drill small holes in one side of the pipe about 2-3" apart. Get a stopper to plug the other end of the pipe. On the other side of the pipe, silicone suction cups ( 2-3 ) to it. wait for silicone to dry and attach to side of tank. U want to make sure the pump in the tank is stronger than the pump in the plastic tub so that the tub will not run dry and break the pump in the tub.

Would I need to do a sump or a trickle tower?? What's the best of the two?

[Scottyhorse]

DIY Sand Fall

[Jcala]

Originally Posted by Scottyhorse

DIY Sand Fall

That sounds fun! What does it consist of? And here are some more pictures!

[FishCr8zy]

Originally Posted by Jcala

Would I need to do a sump or a trickle tower?? What's the best of the two?

Both r really good. It depends on what u want. A sump is more compacted but usually has less filtration media than a large trickle tower. A sump will also cost more but will fit into the cabinet or under the tank. I prefer trickle towers but sumps look better.

[FishCr8zy]

Originally Posted by Scottyhorse

DIY Sand Fall

DIY sand fall? Never even heard of a sand fall. What is it?

[FishCr8zy]

Originally Posted by Jcala

That sounds fun! What does it consist of? And here are some more pictures!

I would start really scrubbing the whole tank down if u want to start the cycle and get the tank goin. Did u get it from Craigslist or was it just sitting around in your garage for a while? The tank needs quite a cleaning.

[Desi]

Originally Posted by FishCr8zy

DIY sand fall? Never even heard of a sand fall. What is it?

I'm interested in this as well.

[Jcala]

Here's a question the tank doesn't have silicon on the tall part (in picture) but has back braces??

[FishCr8zy]

Originally Posted by Jcala

Here's a question the tank doesn't have silicon on the tall part (in picture) but has back braces??

No silicone but holds water?! Where is the back brace?

[Jcala]

Originally Posted by FishCr8zy

No silicone but holds water?! Where is the back brace?

The bottom of the tank has silicone but not the sides! The third picture is the brace, it's some kind of metal? Is this ok?

[FishCr8zy]

Originally Posted by Jcala

The bottom of the tank has silicone but not the sides! The third picture is the brace, it's some kind of metal? Is this ok?

If the sides don't have silicone, u r gonna have to do it yourself or else it will crack/burst. Could u post a better pic of brace?
My 55 gal side:

[Jcala]

Originally Posted by FishCr8zy

If the sides don't have silicone, u r gonna have to do it yourself or else it will crack/burst. Could u post a better pic of brace?
My 55 gal side:

^ this is the front left corner




And this is the back left, it goes in to the black trim and it seems pretty sturdy, I really can't post a picture in any other way

[FishCr8zy]

Originally Posted by Jcala

^ this is the front left corner

And this is the back left, it goes in to the black trim and it seems pretty sturdy, I really can't post a picture in any other way

Ok.
Now I see the metal brace thing. I think you should leave the brace there as it can help keep that side of the tank sturdy.

[Jcala]

Originally Posted by FishCr8zy

Ok.
Now I see the metal brace thing. I think you should leave the brace there as it can help keep that side of the tank sturdy.

Should I re seal the silicon on the in side of the tank? 50 gallons of water on my floor won't be good

[FishCr8zy]

Originally Posted by Jcala

Should I re seal the silicon on the in side of the tank? 50 gallons of water on my floor won't be good

Lol. 50 gallons of water in anybody's home is bad. I would re-silicone the inside to make sure it doesn't crack in the future.