Restoring an Old Tank

[wallace]

My grandfather made several aquariums in the 50's, and he gave me a 90 gallon around 1972 after he had a stroke and wasn't able to keep fish anymore. I still have the tank and I want to fix it up so it holds water again. This is going to take a while because I don't have much extra time, but I thought making a thread would be nice.

After smearing a ton of silicone around the bottom, the tank had fish in it for 5 years. It had a sort of home made UG filter that came as a kit that you could customize for the bottom.

Early undergravel filter (see picture)

It hasn't held water in 40 years, but with a little TLC it shouldn't be difficult. Its out in the barn and things were nesting in it, and then we started piling crap on it.

The tank is under there...I will be resurrecting it from the most humble circumstances. (see pic)

He was a sheet metal worker, so the bottom and back are sheet metal that he coated with black stuff. On the back he attached a mesh that holds rocks that he collected, so the whole back wall is rockwork that he cemented in place using mortar.

More to follow...

[Mugwump]

...nice project, watching your progress will be interesting....

[GraphicGr8s]

Use Dow 795 silicone on it. It's not that expensive. I am using it to refurbish my Metalframe tanks.

[wallace]

My son wasn't around to help carry it, so I rolled it out on some water pipes. 

Its 48" long x 23" front to rear x 19" top to bottom. A good shape.

There is a lot of rust. The first thing I notice is that I need to knock the bottom out and put in a sheet of glass... but with the way the rocks are poking out, I don't think the glass will slide into place unless I remove some of the lower rocks.

The rocks are held by mortar... not sure what the mortar will do with my slightly acidic water (pH 6.4).

My grandmother kept (wild) Discus in it, and had one that she claimed was 10 years old. It liked to hide behind a rock and she told me if I waited long enough and kept still it would come out.

[wsantia1]

My son wasn't around to help carry it, so I rolled it out on some water pipes. 

Its 48" long x 23" front to rear x 19" top to bottom. A good shape.

There is a lot of rust. The first thing I notice is that I need to knock the bottom out and put in a sheet of glass... but with the way the rocks are poking out, I don't think the glass will slide into place unless I remove some of the lower rocks.

The rocks are held by mortar... not sure what the mortar will do with my slightly acidic water (pH 6.4).

My grandmother kept (wild) Discus in it, and had one that she claimed was 10 years old. It liked to hide behind a rock and she told me if I waited long enough and kept still it would come out.

.

Nice project. Best wishes on the restoration.

[Mugwump]

...nice project  ...I'm sure the rock the rock can cause any harm as she keep wild discus in the tank ok...


keep us posted on your progress....I find these projects interesting and informative...

[LizStreithorst]

It's a really nice.  The dimensions are great for a grow out tank but it'll be a big job..