Free tank and stand

[labnjab]

My uncle gave me a 55 gallon tank and stand that was in the attic of my apartment (he's also my landlord). I currently have it outside filled with water checking for leaks, and so far there are none. Its an older one with 1/4 inch plate glass all around. I know it was used as an iguana cage for a few years and was also used for fish before that. Now other then a good cleaning, is there anything else i should do to it to prep it for fish or to make sure it will continue to hold water.

My biggest concern is the stand. Its made out of 1/8 inch thick angle iron and is built sort of like this one without the rear crossbraces. I don't know if it is the same one for when it was an aquarium. [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
Will this support a 55 plus the weight of 2- 10 gallons below? Should i add rear crossbraces? thanks for any help

[Sounguru]

The stand will hold just fine as long as the welds aren't rusted thru

[labnjab]

Nope their not rusted, I've found a few places that i may want to weld that haven't been welded, on the corners but other then that it clean.

[Sounguru]

I have a 62 gallon sitting on just the stand you described with no extra welds...

[labnjab]

cool, then i won't mess with it. Should i do anything to the tank, as far a silicon or since it doesn't leak, just leave it be? Biggest problem will be leveling cause it has angle iron for legs. That will split a shim in 2 easily.

edit: All i need now is sand, and a hood. I'm putting everything in my 30 into it, including filter and heater, as well as an extra heater.

[jman]

congrads! what are you gonna do with the tank

[labnjab]

I'm gonna combine my guppy tank and 30 gallon community tank into it, and then were looking for some ideas on more fish. Some kind of school, other then cories although we may add a dozen more of those. Were trying to clean up our living room, we have tanks everywhere.

[jman]

how about planting some plants in there?

[Sounguru]

I wouldn't worry about it but let it sit with water in it for a couple of days to make sure the silcone hasn't become brittle and gives after time under pressure... Plus it will help rehydrate the seals.

[labnjab]

I'm gonna do that to, i have a few java ferns and annubus (spelling) coming hopefully tomorrow, and then I'll slowly add more should i worry much about a cycle since i will be adding 2 fully cycled filters, 1 hang-on back and one canister?

[jman]

it's always good to cycle

[Gemstone]

most of our tank are on iron stands *iron is cheaper than wood in south africa*...but what we do to ensure an equal distribution of weight * we love adding rocks and stuff and that can be darned heavy, esp if not equally spread*..is to cut a wooden board so that it fits into the stand and then put the tank on that..works like a charm.....

[labnjab]

most of our tank are on iron stands *iron is cheaper than wood in south africa*...but what we do to ensure an equal distribution of weight * we love adding rocks and stuff and that can be darned heavy, esp if not equally spread*..is to cut a wooden board so that it fits into the stand and then put the tank on that..works like a charm.....

Good idea, i was thinking of doing that. The tank has a cross brace in the center, and the stand has nothing support it, so i may also weld a piece of band stock there to and then add the board. It also gives me an excuse to weld:hmm3grin2orange: I just rather be overbraced then have 55 gallons all over my floor, and into the office of my job, which is right below me.

I'm going to fill it tonight outside and let it sit all weekend and see if it leaks. If its good by Monday, then I'll set it up