donated used tank

[WHEELRO]

I inherited a tank that has been out of service for more than 2 years. Initailly, it was a freshwater and then converted to a saltwater tank.
It's a 90 gallon tank (I think) 48W x 24H x 18D

I have a few questions:

I have no room inside for the tank right now. Can this tank be left outside in the winter? I have it on the metal stand, plywood over top and then tarped all around. I'm worried about the silcone cracking over the winter. I'm in Ontario.

The substrate that is in it right now in a mixture of sand, seashells and looks clay like fragments. Is this ok to be left outside in the tank?

I also have a large garbage pail full of lava rock and corals. Are these worth keeping?

The protein skimmer looks a little worn out. It's all crusty. I don't think it's worthwhile to get going. It also came with an Eheim filter. Are these recommended for a freshwater setup?

I currently have a 30 Gallon with mixture of small and medium size fish that need a new home soon. There are 2 parrots, 2 Gouramis, 1 Goldfish, 1 Pleco and a few Tetras. They seem happy but I think they need some more room.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[beviking]

The only way I would leave it outside is covered, wrapped, dry, and empty. I don't know about the silicone cracking so I can't gaurantee it won't. Just be sure to test the tank (fill with water) outside b4 you intend to use it. Store the other stuff in buckets or storage totes.
It's all worth something to someone. The lava rock is porous and may have stuff in the pores (like organic matter) that could cause problems later when reintroduced to the tank. Boiling it would probably work to rid most of anything that is in it. The corals will affect your water chemistry. That may be good or bad depending on what fish you keep. Eheim filters are top notch as far as filters go. Depending on age and outside of any worn parts, it should do you well. This info probably does you little good but I just can't stand to see a thread go unanswered.

Bill

 

[Copper]

WHEELRO

1) Depending on how old the tank is, the seals may need redoing anyway. Storing wrapped and covered for the winter outdoors is probably not going to hurt it any more than the 2 years of dry storage that it's already been through. But you'll definately want to check its integrity before you get swimmers in it.

2) If you're planning on a freshwater tank, you probably won't need the protien skimmer anyway. But frequently I have seen saltwater equiment crusted with calcium and little pink blots of coral from the previous setup, and probably does not indicate a worn out part. I too inherited a tank that had once been used for salt and fresh water, and the skimmer/powerheads/filter all came in similar condition.

3) I am assuming that you may plan to move your current fish into the larger tank, in which case the substrate probably won't be of much help to you. The crushed shells and other materials that you have may affect your water perameters to the harder side, and the fish you have mostly prefer softer water. Also, as beviking states, you really don't know what surprises the porus stuff may have in store for you. You may be better off either removing the substrate and storing it elsewhere (don't leave it in over the winter) or just pitching it out.

4) Since you inherited the tank and don't have much invested in it yet, you would not be out anything just to get rid of the parts you don't foresee a need for. Give them to someone who can use them, or dispose of them. I tossed out many parts from the setup I had including expoxy substrate (sky blue and coral colored, bleh!), a protein skimmer, various bits and pieces.

My opinon: keep the tank, stand, and filter. Replace all of the filter elements before using the Eheim and make sure it still works without leaking. Next spring, give it a good cleaning and remove hardwater traces and other debris, then start over with new substrate.

Hope this helps you make a decision!

Copper

 

[Copper]

Btw: The tank calculators are estimating this to be a 90 gal. I'm so jealous!

Copper

 

[WHEELRO]

Thanks for your help guys,
I thought no one was going to answer me.
This is what I have done so far:

Up until now, I had it outside with substrate in, plywood over the top and tarped all around. Nothing has got in.

I emptied the substrate and donated it as filler for the flagstone patio.
The empty tank is now in the garden shed. I will put the plywod over top and tarp it for the winter.

Next spring I intended to strip most of the silicone in the corners anyway. It's pretty dirty and has bubbles in it.

The lava rock and corals are in a pail. I will try to boil most of them as with any rocks that I use. Some of them are pretty big. I'm not too sure if I have a pot big enough.

The Eheim looks like its in really good condition but I will replace all media and test before using.

I was really excited when I found out this was going to be a gift. I almost had 2 of them, too bad they broke the one.

This will definitely be a work in progress. I may have to investigate the integrity of the top retaining frame. It's a bit rusted as well.

Once again, thanks for all your help and I will keep you guys updated on the progress.