Wes888
Reef enthusiast
Yea, every time I got a tank, I always just fill it up with tap water up to the rim. Let it sit outside for days.
How can you tell if a tank was made for water?
- Thread starter Gdbyrd
- Start date
swninja
Reefing newb
short of filling it i don't know of anyway.... but way back in the day when i had all kinds of little reptiles. i think i had 4 different lizards at one point. over the course of my research i read somewhere that once a tank has been used for reptiles it shouldn't be reused for fish. can't remember the exact reason though. something to do with the chemicals in there feces? may want to look into it.
swninja
Reefing newb
sorry, should've researched before i replied. i just went google on my own comment. apparantly reptile urine is like 100% ammonia and that ammonia can soak into the seals on the tank. i would assume when you fill the tank to check for leaks you can just let it sit for a couple days and then check the ammonia of the water.
Wes888
Reef enthusiast
My guess is that cycled/cycling reef tank should have no problem handling the ammonia leaking back to the tank. Just consider at the peak of a cycling tank, the ammonia could go way off the chart, yet, the nitrifying bacteria can turn them into Nitrite in just a week or 2.
Just to be safe, yea, I would certainly soap it for a few weeks and test for ammonia.
Just to be safe, yea, I would certainly soap it for a few weeks and test for ammonia.
Gdbyrd
life's a beach
Well, I filled it up and its setting up on the porch. Figure I'll give it a week or two.
My dad had an interesting point..what if the tank is going to break in two weeks and a day..lol.
My main concern is that this is going on my TV stand. My tv is wall mounted so this will be above a VERY expensive computer, a couple month old Xbox 360 elite, and a barely used Wii..
So it would be a more than disastrous event if something happened.
I would think it would be more of an issue with springing a leak than total tank failure. So if I noticed it I should have time to take care of it right?
My dad had an interesting point..what if the tank is going to break in two weeks and a day..lol.
My main concern is that this is going on my TV stand. My tv is wall mounted so this will be above a VERY expensive computer, a couple month old Xbox 360 elite, and a barely used Wii..
So it would be a more than disastrous event if something happened.
I would think it would be more of an issue with springing a leak than total tank failure. So if I noticed it I should have time to take care of it right?
Ted
Living one day at a time
Well if it was me I wouldnt put a tank above expensive electrical equipment. Even if it doesnt leak every time i mess with my tank I get water on the floor. Could be a real shocking experience. :shocking:
dcantucson
Reef pro
I think in this hobby you have to plan for the worst and hope for the best! It is very unpredictable and you shouldn't take risks. They tend to bit you in the ass!
KidJ57
Struggling Reef Addict
+1
....yaaaaaa, a drip can be just as bad as a gush (is it too late to be making Monica Lewinsky jokes?) especially when it comes to electronics (this would be another good place for a distasteful joke)...Nonetheless as Meyer pointed out earlier, "silicone fixes everything" :shock:...yes, yes it does :mrgreen:...so in other words, "put the [silicone] on the glass" and everybody will be happy :bounce:...but seriously, no matter what you do IMO, a tank that close to electronics will always be a cause for concern.
Wes888
Reef enthusiast
I wouldn't put any non-fish tank related equipment any where near the fish tank. they will get wet no matter how careful you are!
yote
In Memoriam
Theres a phrase I always go by when it comes to my tank.
"If you aint floodin,you aint reefin"
If you put the tank above expensive electronics,your going to get saltwater in em sooner or later.
"If you aint floodin,you aint reefin"
If you put the tank above expensive electronics,your going to get saltwater in em sooner or later.
Gdbyrd
life's a beach
Probably a good idea to avoid it altogether then. I'm not sure what to put there now : /
Thanks for the suggestions guys, going to go ahead and avoid it for now.
I really want to get another tank that's going to be smaller so I can do some coral. My large tank, I have a feeling, is going to be very difficult to reef out. The height is going to screw me :*(
If I could do it over again I'd have just bought a 20-40g long tank.
Thanks for the suggestions guys, going to go ahead and avoid it for now.
I really want to get another tank that's going to be smaller so I can do some coral. My large tank, I have a feeling, is going to be very difficult to reef out. The height is going to screw me :*(
If I could do it over again I'd have just bought a 20-40g long tank.
yote
In Memoriam
I dont think the higth of your tank is gonna screw you.You just have to be mindful of what you put where.
Low light stuff on the bottom,moderates in the middle and high light up top.
Low light stuff on the bottom,moderates in the middle and high light up top.
