Someone Giving Away An Old Reptile/fish Tank. Help

[cooledwhip]

I was walking my doggo and I saw a fish tank out by a garbage can. Today is garbage day, so I ran back home, drove over there and put it in my trunk. there was lots of crap in it, some old blankets, dog bowls, toys, but I just dumped it all out  and brought the tank inside. I thought it was a sump at first because there was like a black ring on the back, but it wasn't a hole. I don't know why that black mount is even there. Also, there's a hole in the bottom of the glass. It was obvious this was a reptile tank. ALSO there was snake skin in the tank. This kinda pissed me off and upset me that it wasn't a tank but a tank is a tank and I can still find a use for it!! I couldn't fill it up with water at all as it's a reptile tank and there's a hole in the bottom. What I think I might do is call a glass service, and have a 4x4 inch peice of glass cut for me. Then I can just silicone it over the hole. I won't be putting this tank inside, because I don't think there is SIDE support as the sides are like some black silicone. I don't know if it will hold water all the way. 
 
It sucks because this thing is massive. Must be at least 50 gallons. I will probably patch the hole, throw some dirt in there, sand, fill it up like 3/4 of the way and make it an outdoor plant nursery (for a month or so I know winter is going to start soon  
 
Any suggestions? I don't know if it's worth resiliconing it, because I also don't know how to do that. 
 
And no I won't put a reptile in there. I want it for plants.

 

[Andysc1]

Think you've answered ur own question there mate. use it for plants

 

[BettaBettas]

lolz, agree with andy! XD you said u wanted it for plants

 

[cooledwhip]

No. Aquarium plants. I want to fill it halfway and put aquatic plants in there and grow it outdoors, so i don't have to worry about leaks

 

[cowgirluntamed]

Here's a good video on resealing. I actually took my 50-55 gallon apart and am redoing all the silicone. I have it back together but due to a faulty caulking gun it started to dry before I got to the seams. Now i have to redo all the seams for it again....oh well!! Lol.so far I've found the hardest part to be cleaning it up!! But this vid will also explain about when to redo silicone and take it apart if you're interested!


https/youtu.be/D_Meyb2JYCU

 

[TheLugan]

Just wish to warn you, the glass is not strong enough in a large reptile tank to take the weight and pressure water puts on it. Put a straight edge on the side as you fill it, and stop when the glass begins to bow out.

 

[cooledwhip]

I probably will just fill it up like halfway. It will really be only for plants. You are all right though the glass is very small.
 
What about a vivarium?

I watch joey's videos all the time and know about the resealing. Idk if I should do it or not. I guess I'll try it since I have nothing to lose.

 

[cowgirluntamed]

You can always test it first to see if it holds water. If it does then you may not have to reseal it but just keep an eye out for leaks. And at least you wouldn't have fish in it too, just the plants. I know you wouldn't want to lose the plants but better those than fish!

 

[cooledwhip]

Yeah I'll fill it up once and check for leaks. if there is seam leaks then I will just reseal it.

 

[Munroco]

What size is it and how thick is the glass? I used to make my own tanks, nothing like 50 gals though, but its easy enough to do and if the glass is thick enough it would probably be worth stripping off the old sealer and resealing it.

 

[cooledwhip]

I'll just go measure it now.
 
making tanks is always something I wanted to do. I tried making a small cube (It was plastic acrylic though because I'm a dummie) and it just fell apart. I never filled it it just didnt hold. I'll have to try with actual glass sometime. make a guide!
 
3 feet wide, 17 inches tall, 18 inches deep.
 
47.7 gallons.

It's like not even silicone on it. More like black tapey stuff. I'll take pics tomorrow.

 

[Munroco]

Would probably have to be 3/8inch thick glass, maybe 1/4inch but I'd be wary of that, anything less I wouldn't bother