Hello my name is Jeremey, I have recently started up a fresh aquarium and have been looking at purchasing a new tank. I have come across a 180-gallon fish tank that is pre-drilled, as well coming with an overflow. It also has a drilled back with a metal stand. I am not too sure what benefits come with this setup, or drawbacks for that matter. Another concern I have is if this type of setup would work for a fresh water tank. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeremey.

I'll be of no help ta you, but if I found a 180 gallon, regardless of previous use, for a good price, my heart might miss a beat to get it!

I am freshwater aswell, saltwater is no use to me! :( But a saltwater tank on the other hand..... very much so!

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Byte Size Computer Solutions

your setup should work well for a fw tank.

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fw leiden since 1979, fo salt since 1979, mixed reef 55g 2002-2009. Strong emphasis on the tank taking care of itself. Balanced with plant life, no water changes, tap water, no filters in FW. Only dosing calcium, alk, mag in marine reef tanks. http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/my-...ods-26410.html
recent tanks (till 2009) 7 years- 10g FW leiden 7 yrs, 55g mixed reef 7, 2 yrs, 20g FW leiden, 10 g fw leiden , 29g mixed reef, current tank 55g leiden

A pre-drilled tank can be used for fresh water or saltwater. And the overflow box it should have 2 of them as most 180 do. They are inside of the tank . Then you can run a sump under the tank rather then hang on the back filters. Sumps are nice you can put every thing that you want in them so you don't see anything in you aquarium far as uv lights,Heaters,reactors and so on ..... Or if you want to have the hang on the backs you don't have to use the overflow boxes just don't fill the tank with water past the cut outs on the over flows. So i would say just make sure the tank is not old and in good shape for a good deal.. Good luck hope this helps

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what ever works for you is the way to go!!!!!!!!!

with that tank and the size you should just go saltwater, once you do you will never go back

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www.frags-unlimited.com

i think you should just go saltwater with that setup

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www.frags-unlimited.com

Let me say a few things about going saltwater. The 180 is a super size for saltwater. Your greatest cost will be live rock. You will need about 300 - 350 lbs. If you can find it at $2-$3 per pound you'll be doing good. You'll also need a skimmer rated for 350 gallons. Then there's lighting. Figure on a 6-8 tube T5 set-up.

Basically, if you're willing to spend between $1,500 - $3,000 to set it up right then I say go for it. If you aren't, go freshwater or sell the tank and get something smaller. Either way, best of luck.

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Doc

Dr Hank's 200 gallon Reef Tank
http://www.aquariumforum.com/f46/drhanks-tank-3440.html

If the seals are good, the age of the tank really doesn't matter. I had a 55 gallon tank that I bought in 1972 and sold two years ago and it's still working great for it's new owner. The key is that it doesn't leak. I'd fill the tank with freshwater add a return pump and sump and run the tank for a few weeks. If you don't run into problems, the tank is probably fine.

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Doc

Dr Hank's 200 gallon Reef Tank
http://www.aquariumforum.com/f46/drhanks-tank-3440.html