Lobster Tank Conversion

[Angelphish]

So I traded around on craigslist and ended up with a 60 gallon lobster tank yesterday. My plans for the tank were to make it a reef, with small fish like clown fish, cardinal fish, fire fish, and some others. There are a few things that I see wrong with it, but I can't really complain after basically getting it for free. So far what I'm worrying about is the fact that there is a drain in the bottom of the tank, the overflow has no protection, and the chiller. I want to remove it but I'm not sure how. So far what I'm thinking is to use large gravel to cover the drain, and to use egg crate to protect anything from being sucked into the overflow. I was hoping someone would know about removing the chiller. Any suggestions on what to do would be appreciated.

 

[jimmie d wad]

the chiller in mine was already gone. i hooked my fx5 up to the drain. i added a piece of pvc and a pvc sceen over that plus it is under the egg crate. so no worires of any thing getting sucked into it. i found the false bottom that came in it to be insuficent to hold gravel. I made a stand out of pvc and covered egg crate with screan then laced gravel over that. I found a couple pvc plugs that fit in the chiller lines and glued them in. mine is set up for fresh water. are you sure you cant use the chiller if running high lighting to keep tank at correct temp?

 

[Angelphish]

The chiller is bad, so I can't use it even if I wanted to.

 

[jimmie d wad]

that was the reason i got mine also. wish i took more pics of stuff i did so i could show people

 

[Angelphish]

So basically I use pvc to elevate the egg crate and then lay down the gravel in such a way that it doesn't fall through.

 

[deeda]

I can't help with specifics for removing the chiller but do want to add that you want to be sure not to damage, cut or break any of the refrigerant lines when removing the unit. Most trash/rubbish companies won't pick them up unless the refrigerant is removed first, similar to a refrigerator.

 

[Angelphish]

I can't help with specifics for removing the chiller but do want to add that you want to be sure not to damage, cut or break any of the refrigerant lines when removing the unit. Most trash/rubbish companies won't pick them up unless the refrigerant is removed first, similar to a refrigerator.

Good to know. After looking at it more that chiller takes up 2/3 of the space under the tank. After removing it I'll have a lot more space, and if I feel like it I can take out the current sump and install a larger one with a protein skimmer.

 

[jimmie d wad]

I wrapped the egg crate twice with a black non metal window sceen. I use a smaller gravel for plants

 

[Angelphish]

I wrapped the egg crate twice with a black non metal window sceen. I use a smaller gravel for plants

How would I hold it? Staples? Or should I just have the excess on the bottom so it is held down by the weight of the gravel?

 

[Angelphish]

I am a little confused on removing the chiller. I can't see any screws holding it down.