Old Tank Reconditioning

[bravehart]

We have rescued an old Fluval 90L tank and stand from recycling and intend to clean it up and get it in action again.

We need to get:

an external filter I guess 450 lph flow. Any recommendation? What is the most common filter media?
A heater i guess 100w will do it? Is there much difference between manufacturers for these?

I have no idea how lights work ....as only have a 60l with lights integral to the lid. Thiis tank has no lid.
I'm happy knocking up a wood surrond with a lip to fit over the top, but when you buy lights do they come in some kind of reflector? I guess I need to incorporate something in the top to support the lights over teh tank? What sort of lights should I be thinking of?
Should I be thinking about anything else?

The good thing about this is there is no time pressure whatsoever.

Tim

 

[chrisbassist]

Hi tim.

With lights you have a few options. The harder (but probably ccheaper) route would be to build a hood for it and buy all the bits for the lights in either a kit or as pieces.

Second option, find out if the tank originally had a lid with lights, if it did then see If you can buy a replacement.

Third option, keep it open topped and buy a light unit which sits on the glass each end of the tank. Or one which hangs from the ceiling.



Other things to think about, make sure there are no cleaning chemicals on the inside glass.
Make sure it's holding water.

After that whatever you want I think.

 

[bravehart]

I was looking in my LFS at lighting and filters for this tank and for the same price as an Arcadia over tank luminaire T5 OT2 I can get a brand new Fluval Roma 90L including stand equipped with a Fluval U2 Internal Filter, Tronic Heater 100watt, Fluval GLO lighting, one of each 15watt PowerGlo & AquaGlo, LCD thermometer. Admittedly I don't really want an internal filter, but I guess they might swap that out.

I beginning to wonder if I shouldn't just buy a new tank, rather than recondition this one. Is the Arcadia lighting really that much better? I would also then have £80 - 100 for a filter. Keen to hear anyones opinion who cares to comment.

Tim