Thinking about buying this used 250g, need some advice

clownfish4 · 05/04/2018, 09:55 AM

I saw this 250g on CL for $500 and am seriously considering pulling the trigger. I have two primary concerns that I’m hoping you all can give some insight on.

1. The overflow was in the middle and was cut out. I don’t want to put a new overflow in the middle due to taking up space. I haven’t seen the tank in person yet (hopefully Tuesday) but am thinking of either covering the holes with acrylic, or building a floating overflow to attach to the top of a pipe on the existing hole. Both options would require drilling additional holes as I will go bean animal. What would you do?

2. The room it would go in is carpeted and can’t be removed. Have any of you put a tank this size, or bigger, on carpet? If so, were there any issues? If not, any particular reason to avoid it?

Dimensions are 89"L x 22"W x 30"H.

Thank you all and let me know if there are any specific questions you have that I should look or for when seeing the tank.

Untitled by Mike Burns, on Flickr

R1ant04 · 05/04/2018, 10:45 AM

As long as the seams r good and no major scratches or it’s yellowed....I would buy it. Good price for that size. Can easily seal the bottom with another piece of acrylic and sum Weldon. Also would b no problem putting that tank on a carpeted floor. Jus ensure it’s level jus like u would on hardwood/cement.

clownfish4 · 05/05/2018, 11:50 AM

Thank you R1ant04. I agree the price is right. As long as there’s no crazing or major defects I’m definitely going to buy it. Owner confirmed it is 1/2” thick acrylic. I’m thinking I will likely seal the existing holes then do a short overflow at the top of one end of the tank and put the inlets on the other to get a nice “circular” flow through the system.

nsfishguy · 05/05/2018, 03:50 PM

I am certainly no expert but isn't 1/2" thk a little thin for something that tall?

clownfish4 · 05/06/2018, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsfishguy

I am certainly no expert but isn't 1/2" thk a little thin for something that tall?

I’m seeing mixed results. Garf recommends 1/2” for these dimensions, but other sites are saying 1”. Not sure what to go with. Does anyone know of a good calculator that will give you the actual safety factor number?

nsfishguy · 05/06/2018, 11:24 AM

Just checked this website http://diyfishkeepers.com/AcrylicThi...Calculator.htm. Says 1".

Here is another http://www.plasticgenius.com/2009/05...thickness.html

Not sure which ones you checked.

Hope this helps!

Pslreefer · 05/06/2018, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clownfish4

I’m seeing mixed results. Garf recommends 1/2” for these dimensions, but other sites are saying 1”. Not sure what to go with. Does anyone know of a good calculator that will give you the actual safety factor number?

Well Garf would recommend something like that because 15-20 years ago things were made better. Though the advances in materials these days make them stronger now with less material.

clownfish4 · 05/06/2018, 11:33 AM

Thanks all. I looked at both the sites nsfishguy posted, as well as garf. When I get to my laptop I’m going to figure out what the actual safety factor is with this site https://docs.zoho.com/sheet/publishe...7ae4&mode=html

But based on what I’ve seen so far, I’m going to pass on this tank. It’s at least a few years old but the seller doesn’t know the original manufacturer or the true age of the tank.

ca1ore · 05/06/2018, 12:18 PM

Honestly, I wouldn't take that tank if it were free. Half inch is way too thin for something that long and tall.

nsfishguy · 05/06/2018, 12:51 PM

Would make a good sump. Only fill up about half way.

rvareef · 05/06/2018, 03:17 PM

that tank is wafer thin!

clownfish4 · 05/06/2018, 03:25 PM

Thanks again everyone, I did tell the owner I’m passing. Was really looking forward to having a big tank again, but I won’t take a stupid risk for it. Will continue to keep an eye out for a good deal though.

ace_92101 · 05/06/2018, 08:04 PM

A smart move. The thickness, the cut overflow and the overall dimensions didn't make a lot of sense to me. A lot of tanks pop up the greater Washington DC Craigslist. Good luck.

Sisterlimonpot · 05/07/2018, 08:15 AM

Given the design of the tank, 1/2" acrylic is plenty strong. The tank derives its strength from the bracing on top, as long as the joints are good and no crazing is visible, I would be confident that it would be fine. The concern that I would have is how they sealed the middle overflow (if it is sealed), and the price.

lapin · 05/07/2018, 05:45 PM

Its prob gonna bow some. You should see how it looks full of water before purchase.

ColorFish777 · 05/15/2018, 02:31 PM

With the thick top bracing I think 1/2" should be ample. Like someone said above, fill it with water and see if there is any bowing.

05/04/2018, 09:55 AM	#1
clownfish4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 743	Thinking about buying this used 250g, need some advice I saw this 250g on CL for $500 and am seriously considering pulling the trigger. I have two primary concerns that I’m hoping you all can give some insight on. 1. The overflow was in the middle and was cut out. I don’t want to put a new overflow in the middle due to taking up space. I haven’t seen the tank in person yet (hopefully Tuesday) but am thinking of either covering the holes with acrylic, or building a floating overflow to attach to the top of a pipe on the existing hole. Both options would require drilling additional holes as I will go bean animal. What would you do? 2. The room it would go in is carpeted and can’t be removed. Have any of you put a tank this size, or bigger, on carpet? If so, were there any issues? If not, any particular reason to avoid it? Dimensions are 89"L x 22"W x 30"H. Thank you all and let me know if there are any specific questions you have that I should look or for when seeing the tank. Untitled by Mike Burns, on Flickr Untitled by Mike Burns, on Flickr

05/06/2018, 12:18 PM	#9
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Honestly, I wouldn't take that tank if it were free. Half inch is way too thin for something that long and tall. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

05/07/2018, 08:15 AM	#14
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	Given the design of the tank, 1/2" acrylic is plenty strong. The tank derives its strength from the bracing on top, as long as the joints are good and no crazing is visible, I would be confident that it would be fine. The concern that I would have is how they sealed the middle overflow (if it is sealed), and the price. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

05/07/2018, 05:45 PM	#15
lapin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Austin Posts: 801	Its prob gonna bow some. You should see how it looks full of water before purchase. __________________ Tank sizes, 2-10's a 55 and one that's about 500gal Current Tank Info: Interior decorating happening

05/04/2018, 10:45 AM	#2
R1ant04 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 232	As long as the seams r good and no major scratches or it’s yellowed....I would buy it. Good price for that size. Can easily seal the bottom with another piece of acrylic and sum Weldon. Also would b no problem putting that tank on a carpeted floor. Jus ensure it’s level jus like u would on hardwood/cement.

05/05/2018, 11:50 AM	#3
clownfish4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 743	Thank you R1ant04. I agree the price is right. As long as there’s no crazing or major defects I’m definitely going to buy it. Owner confirmed it is 1/2” thick acrylic. I’m thinking I will likely seal the existing holes then do a short overflow at the top of one end of the tank and put the inlets on the other to get a nice “circular” flow through the system.

05/05/2018, 03:50 PM	#4
nsfishguy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 94	I am certainly no expert but isn't 1/2" thk a little thin for something that tall?

05/06/2018, 11:24 AM	#6
nsfishguy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 94	Just checked this website http://diyfishkeepers.com/AcrylicThi...Calculator.htm. Says 1". Here is another http://www.plasticgenius.com/2009/05...thickness.html Not sure which ones you checked. Hope this helps!

05/06/2018, 11:33 AM	#8
clownfish4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 743	Thanks all. I looked at both the sites nsfishguy posted, as well as garf. When I get to my laptop I’m going to figure out what the actual safety factor is with this site https://docs.zoho.com/sheet/publishe...7ae4&mode=html But based on what I’ve seen so far, I’m going to pass on this tank. It’s at least a few years old but the seller doesn’t know the original manufacturer or the true age of the tank.

05/06/2018, 12:51 PM	#10
nsfishguy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 94	Would make a good sump. Only fill up about half way.

05/06/2018, 03:17 PM	#11
rvareef In Memoriam Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 664	that tank is wafer thin!

05/06/2018, 03:25 PM	#12
clownfish4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 743	Thanks again everyone, I did tell the owner I’m passing. Was really looking forward to having a big tank again, but I won’t take a stupid risk for it. Will continue to keep an eye out for a good deal though.

05/06/2018, 08:04 PM	#13
ace_92101 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cebu, Philippines Posts: 763	A smart move. The thickness, the cut overflow and the overall dimensions didn't make a lot of sense to me. A lot of tanks pop up the greater Washington DC Craigslist. Good luck.

05/15/2018, 02:31 PM	#16
ColorFish777 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 16	With the thick top bracing I think 1/2" should be ample. Like someone said above, fill it with water and see if there is any bowing.