Got a 29gal w/ hood/light and stand at the curb!

So I was walking around the block when I saw a tank and wrought iron stand at the curb. I got the car and brought it home. Wow what a mess. I'm determined to see if I can salvage the tank and turn it into sumpin good. It really doesn't seem too old just badly abused. I don't really like the fake wood tone finish but hey free is free. So am I crazy or what?

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This along with a 10 gal tank I got earlier this week puts me a 39 gallons of tank in 7 days for free!

I will post pics of the process because if this works out I'd like others to know that recycling a tank as bad looking as this one is, is possible and should be done. The light works even though this thing looks like it's been kept outside for some time. I think I'll need to strip and reseal the inside corners though. If this was out in freezing weather who knows what condition the seals are in? It'll take some time to figure it out. I'll be out of town for a week so I won't even be able to touch it for awhile. I really want to see what I can do for as little money as possible.

What does anyone think about the cheapest way to filter this thing? I think that some sort of arrangment with a power head would be the way to go either with a sponge filter or UGF or RUGF. I may need to start posting some questions in the DIY section. I'm in no big hurry to get this up and running but I do want to form a plan and get started.

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Well... it's lookin' OK so far. Just some etching, scale and scratches I can't do much about. I wanted to see if it was all worth it or not and I have to say so far... It's close. It's been a bit of work and a can of paint for the base but I'm happy. And it's holding water! So far $1.59 for the paint. I picked up some cool rocks for it while up in RI and MA this weekend. I also picked up some gravel on the road too. We'll see how that works out later.

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