Modifying a 240G AGA tank. Help me choose.

[bleedingthought]

First of, this is long, so forgive me. But I really need you guys to help me make this decision and if I do it, how to go about it.

Ok, so I was getting thing together for a 180G AGA tank. But now this local guy pops up selling a 240G AGA tank (8'x2'x2') that has some minor scratches (he says they are there but not that noticeable) on the front and it is reef ready. I offered him $350 and he says he really needs to sell it if I'll do $400 he'll go for it. Now, I was looking at spending 600 bucks for the 180G and it wasn't going to be reef ready. You think I should jump on this 240G deal?

Some of my concerns: First of, the scratches. While they might be minor, I'd want to try and remove them. I've never buffed out glass. I've heard that it's tough. Could I do it, though? And how much does it usually cost to get someone to do it for me?

Second, I don't like the tank braces. They're just like the one on my 75G. The thick braces that stick in the water if the level is high enough. I also was planing an external overflow on the 180G. So, could I safely remove the two thick glass braces from this tank, add eurobracing on the front and two sides, and add an external overflow to the back myself? (I figured that the bottom piece on the back would be the 'bracing') I think I would use the two overflows as the closed loop drains and 2 of the returns, if I went that route.

Or should I just hold out for that brand new 180G?

Thanks for reading and thank you for your thoughts! They're needed!

 

[ChrisRD]

Have you seen the tank? How bad are the scratches? I've never had to buff scratches out of glass so I couldn't really say how much effort you're looking at...

Personally, if the tank is already reef ready I would just use it as is (ie. use the existing overflow boxes) - I wouldn't go through the trouble of doing an external overflow box, etc. If you want a closed loop I'd just drill it as needed (although personally, I'm not a huge fan of closed loops).

As for the centerbraces, again, I don't think I'd mess with them. IMO they're a minor inconvenience and wouldn't go too far out of my way to avoid having them. I would just plan on running the waterline down near the lower part of the top trim on the tank so the braces stay dry. If the water level runs a bit high as the tank is configured with your chosen return pump, you can always deepen the notches on the overflow boxes to bring it down some.

If the scratches aren't too bad it sounds like a good deal to me...

HTH

 

[trido]

I would chose the 240 over the 180 myself. If the tank is a stock AGA reef ready I would be suprised if the glass center braces were in the water when the tank is full and running. Of course, I would want to see these so called invisible scratches first. $400 is less than I paid for my 120. How can you pass that up?

 

[bleedingthought]

I have the same type of brace on my Oceanic tank and if I let my mag9 all the way open it hits the brace. But I guess I would do what Chris suggested and deepen the overflow teeth. Here's one picture of the scratches:

 

[bleedingthought]

Anyone else?

 

[AlrightCool]

does sound like a good deal id rather go bigger =D scratches arent to bad unless they really bother you

 

[trido]

I think those scratches would bother me to be honest. I spend quite a bit of time trying to keep my nose off the glass. Occasionally they would be in my way of squinting at those hard to see things and I dont know it a "good deal" is worth the sacrifice.

 

[bleedingthought]

Is it possible to buff them out? Do glass shops do this kind of stuff? Or would it just put a bunch of little scratches in there instead?

 

[trido]

I have never heard of any scratch removal system for glass. I installed windows residantially for a few years but know far from everything about htem. In most cases when there is a problem with glass it is simply replaced. Car windsheild, store front, household window, etc... I would recommend calling your local glass supplier (Not ace and not an installation co.) out of the yellow pages and see if they have any remedies for repairing large pains that arent easily replaced and see if they have any ideas.

 

[bleedingthought]

I have read here than it can be done but takes a great effort. So I assumed people do it at glass shops.

I will try and call tomorrow, though.