150 Gal Safe?

[boviac]

Hey, I found a 150Gal tank on craigslist here in Chico.

I've got dibs on it when the seller gets rid of the remaining rock & livestock.

Owner said the tank is about two years old bought new from a guy who made it in Sac off Ebay. Owner has had saltwater in it the whole time.

Upon inspecting the tank I noticed the sides and I assume the back and bottom are 1/2" glass. The front appears to be 3/8" thick.

Question 1) Is this safe long term (i.e. 3/8" thick glass panel on a 28" tall 150 gal?)

I noticed what appears to be a chip about 1" tall by 1/4" deep on the left edge of the front pane that was filled in with some sort of black filling. Owner said he never noticed it. There appears to be no visual deficency in the sealant of this piece to the side glass. And the tank had water in it - no problem.

Question 2) would you buy this tank for $225?

 

[Elite]

3/8" for 150G tank?? wow. My 50G tank is that thick and it's only 21" tall. I wouldn't get it if I was you but that's just me ..

 

[Unarce]

3/8" is pretty thin for a 150g. I had to repair a chip in the corner of my tank, but it's diamond edged, so the silicone seal and structure wasn't compromised. Depending on how well the tank was built, I'd probably skip it cause of the 3/8" front pane, or at least negotiate it down if you decide you can't pass up on it.

You're going to be using a very strong magnet for cleaning a 150g, just one slip of your hand, and it might be enough to crack it

 

[boviac]

Yeah... Hmm... I like the advice about price negotiation... Anyway, I just wanted to have my noted concerns seconded.

I can pass it up... I've been waiting to upgrade now ever since about 6 months after I got my first tank - almost 5 years now.. Stay in this hobby long enough, tanks and systems come and go for incredible deals. One just has to be quick and have cash.

 

[MrMikeB]

I have a 150 gallon tank I just bought that has glass panes that are 3/4" thick, and is shallower than 28". I am thinking that is a lot of pressure at that height for 3/8" panes, and with a stress point like you mentioned, I think you have a recipe for disaster. Given that it was home made also adds to the credibility issues.

I say pass on the tank, and go for the goodies inside when they become available.

 

[Sparkss]

boviac, we have a tank coming up for sale.. pretty much a plug and play one.. it is not a "smokin" deal, but it is a pretty good one.. especially since it will come with lots of extras

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1007260

 

[tacocat]

If you waited 5 years, why mess around. Get something hot looking and built like a bulldozer:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=996862&highlight=visio

 

[boviac]

Thanks Tom! I appreciate the offer. It is a great deal. However, I'm looking for something like you're upgrading too as visible in the photos of the in-wall system. I'm interested in 6' as one of my dimensions. Currently I have a 50 gal that is only 4' long and it's packed! Very large pieces of live rock. So that puts me in a 125, 150 or 180 gal size glass.

Good luck with the sale!

MrMikeB

Thanks for the info on your tank dimensions for reference. That's what I was thinking too. I should probably state here that I didn't actually measure the glass but I do know the front pane was thinner than the sides and I guessed the sides were only 1/2". Looking at a ruler now, I'm pretty sure I correctly guessed the glass thickness.

- Chris

 

[boviac]

tacocat

You're right. Great link on another good buy - but still I'm pretty picky on the tank although that one is pretty sweet!

 

[Sparkss]

Just an FYI, our new tank is a 380g, not 150g

 

[boviac]

No worries, I ment no offense. Nice in-wall setup FWIW... Sparkss, how long is your front viewing pane?

 

[jacmyoung]

double post

 

[jacmyoung]

I always thought if anything the front glass should be thicker than the sides and back for safety. Are you sure he did not use the tank backwards?

 

[Sparkss]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8965934#post8965934 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by boviac
No worries, I ment no offense. Nice in-wall setup FWIW... Sparkss, how long is your front viewing pane?

none taken , in fact my apologies for any offense on my part, I guess my post came across wrong, I typed it out real quick without really thinking about it (likely emphasis on the "not thinking" part) .

The front of the tank is 78". And once we finally ever get it operational THEN it will be a nice in wall setup .. hehehehe