slow re-birth of a 400 gallon tank.

[elmexotics]

some of you might remember this tank from a local shop (Reef Mystique). Well it happened that I knew the landlord of the building, and the tank was abandoned at the location. With a few conversations, I was finally given the go ahead to pull the tank out of the building so he could rent the space. It ended up costing me pizza and beer for the crew from Lucas Pizza next door.

 

[elmexotics]

Got lucky in the fact that most of the equipment was still with the tank including the calcium reactor, the skimmer, the T5 lighting, fans, sump, and pumps.

Pumps were pulled apart for inspection and the seals were replaced with saltwater seals.
Skimmer, got a really good vinegar bath and scrub (the gunk on the inside was about 1/4" thick and looked like it had not been cleaned in about 6 months)
calcium reactor and sump were also given a good bath and cleaned up properly

 

[Peppie]

Looking forward to your make over project. Keep the updates and of course the pics comming

 

[elmexotics]

And now the real fun has begun. I have started to refinish the tank. I am wet sanding the entire tank starting with 600, 1000, 1200, and finally polishing the tank with novus 2. I use to do body work so I am spoiled in the fact that I have a large air compressor and plent of air tools. I am using a 6" d/a sander and 3" polisher for this. Still takes a long time, but is coming out looking better that the tank ever would have new.

 

[Krish]

Looking forward to seeing this thing up and running! If you wanted to post your pictures as actual pictures and not as links, take a peek here.

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/f236/how-post-photos-images-not-attachments-59241/

 

[rainydave]

Dang...they just left the tank?

I'm glad you could make good use of it. Tagging along to watch the progress.

 

[Peppie]

I have to ask. Did you get it at a yard sale price?

 

[elmexotics]

thank you for the tip, I will post future pics this way.

 

[elmexotics]

I have to ask. Did you get it at a yard sale price?

I got the tank for FREE! and paid the moving crew (good friends and family) with pizza and beer.

 

[elmexotics]

By elmexotics

sanding the tank down

 

[elmexotics]

pictures of the edges to show before and after sanding and polishing

By elmexotics at 2011-08-07

By elmexotics at 2011-08-07

 

[elmexotics]

and one end done. three more to finish still.

By elmexotics at 2011-08-07

 

[user 26995]

Oh Wow, thats fabulous. Tagging along too. I'd love a tank this size.

 

[Workaholic]

Very cool. That tank is going to look great. talk about a great price. Where are you going to put it?

 

[Krish]

Nice!!! Looking forward to seeing more progress!! Looking good!!!

 

[Peppie]

How many hours will you have in the sanding and buffing of the Acrylic?

 

[Peppie]

It looks as you still have some more to do. Is it possible to document the process with a few pics?? Iam sure it would help some other members out on the how to part.

 

[Somethings Fishy]

hey nice looking tank! i have always wondered about center overflows! i love the idea of 360 viewing

 

[akunochi]

Yeah that is probably the best tank recovery I have seen done to date.

 

[elmexotics]

Hopefully will get more time to work on the tank this week. Work has been crazy. I only have about 10 hours into it so far. I will take more pictures as I am working on it this time to help show the process. Thank you to all that are following along.