Tank Overhaul.... thought i would share

[tim the toolman]

So the story starts a couple years ago with me being fairly inexperienced around saltwater and getting a 180 gallon tank. I drilled the tank myself and built an internal overflow box. now both of those things i ended up doing wrong, I drilled a single downpipe and built a massive overflow box.

Fast forward to last week. I was tired of my tank being loud and was also tired of worrying about a flood. All of that plus the fact that my oversized overflow restricted my ability to get flow around the back side of the rock structure, resulting in a large amount of detritus accumulating in the dead spots.

Soooo. i decided i would set up a holding tank and remove EVERYTHING from the tank and sump so i could do things right. or at least better.

[tim the toolman]

Here is the tank before the tear down. Notice the oversized overflow.



Here is a sideview. Almost impossible to get proper flow around the rock structure.

[tim the toolman]

Brought in a holding tank for the fish and coral during the overhaul.





Here is everybody happy in their new home




And all ready to drain the beast.

[tim the toolman]

The tank all emptied and filthy as hell



Here is the carnage that ensued in my living room







And the tank all cleaned re-drilled and the new much smaller overflow installed.

[tim the toolman]

Tank back on the stand.





The new overflow.





And the tank put back together and re-aquascaped







Can finally get flow behind the rockwork

[tim the toolman]

All said and done it was alot of work but definitely worth it in the end.
The tank now runs silent and i have an emergency drain as well so i can sleep at night without fear of a flood. Didnt lose any livestock during the transfers either so all in all must consider it a sucess.

[gregzz4]

Great job, looks really good
Enjoy

[kien]

Wow nicely done! Love the new (old) tank!

[tim the toolman]

Thanx. I appreciate the kind words guys.

[tim the toolman]

I even decided to order some led lighting to finish off the overhaul.
Should be in next week and then im all done.