YAY!! YIPPY!!

So, went over and got the 55 gallon acrylic tank, since I could not get a ride to pick up the glass one. I am very pleased! It turned out to be better than I was expecting. Very few scratches on it, just dirt and stuff. So I am about to start rinsing it out and soaking it with vinegar to get the gunk off. The top is actually a part of the tank. The lights are separate and fit just right. I knew I had seen a similar set-up on the Petsmart web site and I did. I think it is a SeaClear tank. All I need for it is a bulb.

This is the tank, as is from picking it up. I will show you guys how it is as I clean it up :-) That is if you all want to see.

Couple questions about paint: After I paint the outside black, how long before I can fill it? Also, would you all paint the top too or leave it clear as it is?

Any cleanup advice or tips will be gladly welcomed!!

Go here or hit reply to see it. My cat actually climbed in before I put the lights on. LOL
http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd35 ... CT0005.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd35 ... CT0006.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd35 ... CT0007.jpg

So, I am putting a bit of water and vinegar in the tank and letting that soak for about 30 minutes. I have to do small portions because I am in an apartment and don't have a yard and hose. Just did the front, I laid it in its side and poured about 2 inches of water and vinegar and let it sit. The ugly hard old algae just rubbed right off with a wash cloth. Cool! There are some scratches but nothing bad. This is coming clean easier than expected.

So, I will put it in the tub after I do this, rinse it with the shower (what a pain!) then fill it to sit overnight. I am wondering if acrylic tanks leak like a used glass one could? I want to just paint the back and change over in the morning!!

I don't think I am going to like the hood tho. :-( It is a couple lights that fit in the holes on top. I discovered that each light is the size of a bulb for a 10 gallon. How can 2 ten gallon bulbs be bright enough to light up a 55 gallon sufficiently? I guess if it doesn't light well, I will get a 55 hood later on. I don't like that I will have to remove one of the light fixtures just to feed them too. It reminds me of the 5 gallon eclipse I had, the opening sucked! You had to take the whole lid off to do any work in it, even just scrape algae.

Oh well, it was only $40. and its for need right now, not looks. Once I get my stand built maybe I will get a glass tank. Start saving my pennies now.

This is the top. See how there are 2 openings where the lights sit? (Again, you can hit reply to see this too)
http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd35 ... CT0002.jpg

These are the lights. One is right side up, one upside down to show the small bulb. Anyone know how hard it would be to add more light to this setup?

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd35 ... CT0004.jpg

Yeah, we have a 5g acrylic with some guppies in it. If it were up to me, I'd just pitch that stupid thing in the trash. The opening is barely enough to get our net in, then, you have to put your whole hand in the water just to get to the front, back or sides of the tank. Love our 29g glass, as the entire top is open, and like you say, you don't have to take the lights (only 1 light in our case) off to feed or do any work.