questions about filter, heater, etc. x-postd

[Sarah Navarro]

I just acquired a used 100 gallon acrylic tank with a large canopy. I have
two questions about this. First of all, it seems to have some scratches. Is
there anyway to get rid of them, if so what product and where do I get it.
Also, on all my other tanks I use the Emperor 400 filter. I really like
this filter. The problem is that with this canopy, no filter will be able
to hang on the back. Is there any kind of filter that I can set in the
cabinet under the stand, that will handle a 100 gallon tank, if so what kind
is best and where do I get it? How many watts heater do I need for a
hundred gallon tank? You all have been so helpful with all my newbie
fishkeeping questions. Thanks.

[Larry Blanchard]

Sarah Navarro wrote:

> How=A0many=A0watts=A0heater=A0do=A0I=A0need=A0for= A0a
> hundred gallon tank?

I'm no expert, but a couple of books by folks who supposedly are expert=
s
suggested 2-3 watts per gallon. That'd be 250 for 100 gallons. I'd be=

tempted to split that between two heaters or even three rather than hav=
e
that much heat in one spot.

--=20
Homo sapiens is a goal, not a description.

[nobody]

i highly doubt you will be able to polish out those scratches. it might be
able to be done by a professional. it probbley be cheaper to buy a new one.
other wise live with it..
"Sarah Navarro" > wrote in message
ink.net...
>I just acquired a used 100 gallon acrylic tank with a large canopy. I
>have two questions about this. First of all, it seems to have some
>scratches. Is there anyway to get rid of them, if so what product and where
>do I get it. Also, on all my other tanks I use the Emperor 400 filter. I
>really like this filter. The problem is that with this canopy, no filter
>will be able to hang on the back. Is there any kind of filter that I can
>set in the cabinet under the stand, that will handle a 100 gallon tank, if
>so what kind is best and where do I get it? How many watts heater do I
>need for a hundred gallon tank? You all have been so helpful with all my
>newbie fishkeeping questions. Thanks.
>

[Jon Pike]

"Sarah Navarro" > wrote in
ink.net:

> I just acquired a used 100 gallon acrylic tank with a large canopy.
> I have two questions about this. First of all, it seems to have some
> scratches. Is there anyway to get rid of them, if so what product and
> where do I get it. Also, on all my other tanks I use the Emperor 400
> filter. I really like this filter. The problem is that with this
> canopy, no filter will be able to hang on the back. Is there any kind
> of filter that I can set in the cabinet under the stand, that will
> handle a 100 gallon tank, if so what kind is best and where do I get
> it? How many watts heater do I need for a hundred gallon tank? You
> all have been so helpful with all my newbie fishkeeping questions.
> Thanks.

AFAIK, tanks that size aren't usually run with box filters like that.
They're just not tough enough, and it would be uneconomical to have 3-4 of
them when you could simply set up a little sump to do the same job for
1/10th the price.

You can -try- to find a canister filter that will do it for you, but
that'll be really expensive too. Your best bet is simply a sump tank.



tube up tube down
| |

pump | media | more media


all sitted inside a 10-20g tank. you can put plants in there too if your
fishes are ones that like to eat plants.

--
http://www.neopets.com/refer.phtml?username=moosespet

[George Pontis]

In article et>,
says...
> I just acquired a used 100 gallon acrylic tank with a large canopy. I have
> two questions about this. First of all, it seems to have some scratches. Is
> there anyway to get rid of them, if so what product and where do I get it.

If the scratches are on the inside, they tend to dissappear when the tank is full.
You can put the tank on a flat surface and fill it, then see how much they bother
you. Scratches on the outside are much more visible. Either can be repaired but it
takes some elbow grease. The techniques are much like auto-body repair. For really
deep scratches you start with 600 grit wet or dry sandpaper and sand away (wet)
until the scratch is removed. This is the most time consuming part. Then finer
grades of sandpaper like 1000, then 1500. There are "scratch removers", one by
Dupont, that are used like a polish that can take over from the dull finish left
by the finest sandpapers. This stuff is all available at auto-parts stores. It
specifically says for removing scratches from 1500 grit and finer sandpaper. It
does not contain waxes or noxious things that remain in the tank.

For finer scratches, you can buy small kits of coarse and fine polishes. One kit
is made by Tru-Vu. That kit is available at our more inspired LFS, as well a much
more expensive one with some small pieces of the aforementioned sandpapers.

If you search the net you will find other suppliers and tips for removing
scratches. One thing ... be absolutely certan that you clean the tank of all
gravel, gravel dust, sand, and mineral deposits before you start polishing.

> Also, on all my other tanks I use the Emperor 400 filter. I really like
> this filter. The problem is that with this canopy, no filter will be able
> to hang on the back. Is there any kind of filter that I can set in the
> cabinet under the stand, that will handle a 100 gallon tank, if so what kind
> is best and where do I get it? How many watts heater do I need for a
> hundred gallon tank? You all have been so helpful with all my newbie
> fishkeeping questions. Thanks.

Most of the manufacturers of canister filters have a model that would work for
that size tank. For example, a Fluval 404. Others have recommended a large Eheim
lookalike that can be purchased on eBay ("Aquarium Filter uses Eheim 2028 filter
pads"). With media, these canisters will cost you around $100.

Instead of a canister you could also consider a powerhead with sponge filter,
maybe two. A large sponge is visually obtrusive to some folks, but there would not
be any plumbing outside the tank and the cost is modest. Cleaning is easy too. If
you can fit a biowheel under the canopy you can get by with smaller sponges since
the wheel will provide more biological filtration.

For a heater, it depends on how cold your room will get and the thickness of the
tank walls. With a normally heated room, say one that is not dropping more than 15
degrees below the tank temperature, you could do nicely with 200-250W. Note that
acrylic provides more insulation than glass, so watts per gallon rules should be
adjusted somewhat. Also, a large tank has less surface to volume than a small
tank, also favoring fewer watts per gallon. (The rules should be watts per surface
area rather than watts per volume, IMHO.) If you need to buy one, Hagen Tronic is
a nice unit. Horizontal mounting, low in the tank, works well.

Geo.

[Sarah Navarro]

Thanks, this info has been very helpful. I greatly appreciate it.


"George Pontis" > wrote in message
...
> In article et>,
> says...
>> I just acquired a used 100 gallon acrylic tank with a large canopy. I
>> have
>> two questions about this. First of all, it seems to have some scratches.
>> Is
>> there anyway to get rid of them, if so what product and where do I get
>> it.
>
> If the scratches are on the inside, they tend to dissappear when the tank
> is full.
> You can put the tank on a flat surface and fill it, then see how much they
> bother
> you. Scratches on the outside are much more visible. Either can be
> repaired but it
> takes some elbow grease. The techniques are much like auto-body repair.
> For really
> deep scratches you start with 600 grit wet or dry sandpaper and sand away
> (wet)
> until the scratch is removed. This is the most time consuming part. Then
> finer
> grades of sandpaper like 1000, then 1500. There are "scratch removers",
> one by
> Dupont, that are used like a polish that can take over from the dull
> finish left
> by the finest sandpapers. This stuff is all available at auto-parts
> stores. It
> specifically says for removing scratches from 1500 grit and finer
> sandpaper. It
> does not contain waxes or noxious things that remain in the tank.
>
> For finer scratches, you can buy small kits of coarse and fine polishes.
> One kit
> is made by Tru-Vu. That kit is available at our more inspired LFS, as well
> a much
> more expensive one with some small pieces of the aforementioned
> sandpapers.
>
> If you search the net you will find other suppliers and tips for removing
> scratches. One thing ... be absolutely certan that you clean the tank of
> all
> gravel, gravel dust, sand, and mineral deposits before you start
> polishing.
>
>> Also, on all my other tanks I use the Emperor 400 filter. I really like
>> this filter. The problem is that with this canopy, no filter will be
>> able
>> to hang on the back. Is there any kind of filter that I can set in the
>> cabinet under the stand, that will handle a 100 gallon tank, if so what
>> kind
>> is best and where do I get it? How many watts heater do I need for a
>> hundred gallon tank? You all have been so helpful with all my newbie
>> fishkeeping questions. Thanks.
>
> Most of the manufacturers of canister filters have a model that would work
> for
> that size tank. For example, a Fluval 404. Others have recommended a large
> Eheim
> lookalike that can be purchased on eBay ("Aquarium Filter uses Eheim 2028
> filter
> pads"). With media, these canisters will cost you around $100.
>
> Instead of a canister you could also consider a powerhead with sponge
> filter,
> maybe two. A large sponge is visually obtrusive to some folks, but there
> would not
> be any plumbing outside the tank and the cost is modest. Cleaning is easy
> too. If
> you can fit a biowheel under the canopy you can get by with smaller
> sponges since
> the wheel will provide more biological filtration.
>
> For a heater, it depends on how cold your room will get and the thickness
> of the
> tank walls. With a normally heated room, say one that is not dropping more
> than 15
> degrees below the tank temperature, you could do nicely with 200-250W.
> Note that
> acrylic provides more insulation than glass, so watts per gallon rules
> should be
> adjusted somewhat. Also, a large tank has less surface to volume than a
> small
> tank, also favoring fewer watts per gallon. (The rules should be watts per
> surface
> area rather than watts per volume, IMHO.) If you need to buy one, Hagen
> Tronic is
> a nice unit. Horizontal mounting, low in the tank, works well.
>
> Geo.

[JazzyB]

Look into an Eheim canister, best on the market - www.eheim.com.
"Sarah Navarro" > wrote in message
ink.net...
> I just acquired a used 100 gallon acrylic tank with a large canopy. I
have
> two questions about this. First of all, it seems to have some scratches.
Is
> there anyway to get rid of them, if so what product and where do I get it.
> Also, on all my other tanks I use the Emperor 400 filter. I really like
> this filter. The problem is that with this canopy, no filter will be able
> to hang on the back. Is there any kind of filter that I can set in the
> cabinet under the stand, that will handle a 100 gallon tank, if so what
kind
> is best and where do I get it? How many watts heater do I need for a
> hundred gallon tank? You all have been so helpful with all my newbie
> fishkeeping questions. Thanks.
>
>

[Larry Blanchard]

George Pontis wrote:

> If the scratches are on the inside, they tend to dissappear when the tank
> is full. You can put the tank on a flat surface and fill it, then see how
> much they bother you. Scratches on the outside are much more visible

Something I've used on a motorcycle windshield is Future floor polish. It's
actually an acrylic finish, not a wax or polish. Obviously I'm talking
about outside scratches - not inside the tank :-).


--
Homo sapiens is a goal, not a description.