How Long ????????

[ricwilli]

How long does a tank last, in use? I am looking to purchase a used tank that is about 6 years old. Even though the tank is not leaking, the age is what bothers me a little. What should one look for when purchasing a used tank?

 

[landlord]

Unless you are getting a super great deal I would be wary. You never know. I would be looking for anything that just doesn't look right. It might be better just to buy a new one and have less worries.

Your signature line says it all!

FWIW --landlord

 

[landlord]

I guess to answer you question. There is a post a couple of pages down with a 30 year old tank still kickin'

Good Luck!

 

[Blown 346]

I would look at and feel the silicone, make sure it isnt hard cracked, or peeling away. Look at the Plastic brace, make sure it hasnt been cut, trimmed, broken cracked. I might even have the person fill it up with FW to make sure it doesnt leak.

Otherwise tanks can last along time, if taken care of.

 

[KDodds]

We recently (about 4 years ago) got rid of a 30yo 75g upgrading to a 125. If the tank hold water, and that can be demonstrated for you if it's currently sitting empty, I'd say go for it. 6 years is not old at all... if tanks were useless after 6 years, I'd be really worried about the state of the hobby. When I was in my early 20's, before I moved out of my parents home, I had many smaller tanks, none less than 10 years old, all perfectly fine. Two of them were "second hand" 55s, each originally belonged to the father of the kid I purchased them from. Both were originally purchased in the mid to late 70s. I left them in the beginning of the 90s, still holding water.