chuck

It is 17 years old? Get a new tank please. Not only will you have a nice clean system to enjoy, you take out the risk of a flood that that tank surely is heading toward. If the current tank isn't drilled, the new one should be.

Marc I am not sure how old it is for sure as they had it before I started working there 17 years ago and no it is not drilled. The aquarium service company told us that it can't be taken apart and redone. Is that true?

Of course the silicone can be re-done but I highly agree with Marc, if it is that old unless its a 1 off custom tank than purchasing a new one is highly recommended, and will make its new owner proud. But my opinion is bias I build aquariums for a side income, and so there is nothing like that NEW aquarium smell.

+2 with Marc. If it was a small 20-30gal sump or frag tank that might be different but a 90gal and in a work place. Think of it this way and maybe this will help justify it to the boss if that is not you. Price a new tank now subtract the cost of someone redoing the seams ( and not 100% going to work) then subtract to potential clean up cost of cleaning up the mess if a seam let go and the loss of your live stock. Oh and not to mention if it happened during business hours and you lost revenue because your work place was not functional. Any way you get the idea.

Ok will tell the owner that we need to start looking for a new one. We are moving to a new building the first of the year and that will be a good time to replace it.

It just seems like such a waste to throw away

Well now you just said the appropriate word Moving. In reef circles that means upgrade . But as for the tank going to waste maybe not. You could cut the glass down to size and use it for dividers in your new sump. Anyway hope it works out for ya and the boss does not just decide to scrap the idea.

Oh the boss can't scrap the idea.... the fish are his sister's pets and she wont let that happen!!! I will find a use for the glass somewhere

What did that 90g cost 17 years ago? $300? I'd say he got his monies' worth. The new one will be scratch free with a warranty. Time to buy a new tank.

If it isn't using a sump, it doesn't need to be drilled and that saves money. Is this a freshwater tank?

LOL Marc I don't know what he paid for it back then but i know he got a deal on it from a friend that worked for a LFS that took him to a warehouse to pick it out. SO I would say he more than got his $ worth out of it.

It uses an Eheim 2217 currently but i would like to use a sump in the new one to hide the heater, etc.. Yes it is freshwater full of Parrot fish It was originally a SW setup but they had an employee get hit by a lion fish and sent to the hospital and shortly after that i understand it was changed to freshwater and will stay that way because the sister loves her parrots

I am going to setup my own sw tank when we move into the new building

You might as well forewarn the business owner that a new tank, drilled with sump and gear is going to cost some money. When I was looking at tank prices for a 180g a few years ago, the tank alone was $600. I don't know what a 90g costs, but with the move to a new location, they may want a new stand and canopy. This could run $1100 new at a fish store. Add the price of the sump, return pump, in-sump filter...

Again, he got his deal a long long time ago. It might be worth upgrading to a 180g for the extra 2' of swimming distance for those fish.

Ill never setup another cichlid tank without a sump(wet/dry). They are so messy and the bigger filter handles it alot better plus maintenance is easier to do by just removing a sock or pre filter pad and not having to tear apart a canister. Ive been keeping cichlids since I was 8yo from discus to the tank busters, reef tank have been build and put away and back up but there has always been cichlids in my home for the last 30 years.

I know what you mean. I have had them most of my life as well but have never used a sump(wet/dry). My next setup will have it though! They are the next best thing to SW IMO.