Looking at a tank, could use some more eyes and feedback

[cvrle1]

While I have a standard 120G tank (4x2x) ready to go when time comes, I am on the lookout for a 5 foot long tank that I would really like size wise. It seems that 5 foot long tanks are hard to find used in PNW (WA and BC, havent looked in OR as it is too far away) Saw one for sale and could use some feedback if I should go for it, or skip. Main reason I would like feedback and help is because tank is 95 mile drive (1 way), so I cant just go and take a look and decide not to get it.

Acrylic tank, made by Clarity Plus company (looks like they are now called Seaclear)
59x24x18, so around 110G
Used as fresh water, one minor scratch, no leaks, chips or cracks (according to the seller)
Bottom pannel looks thin, but sides look thicker. Not sure how thick (asked seller, waiting for response)
It looks like it would need a good clean as there are algae in the bottom 1/3 or so
Brown stuff on the bottom that is peeling off is paper.
Asking $200 for the tank

Any help or feedback would be much appreciated. Thanks

 

[Anemone]

The main thing with acrylic tanks is scratching. If there are scratches, you can remove them before you put water in (they make scratch removal kits for acrylic). That's the bad. The good is they're much, much lighter than glass tanks.

Seaclear makes good acrylic tanks. What other information are you looking for?

Kevin

 

[cvrle1]

The main thing with acrylic tanks is scratching. If there are scratches, you can remove them before you put water in (they make scratch removal kits for acrylic). That's the bad. The good is they're much, much lighter than glass tanks.

Seaclear makes good acrylic tanks. What other information are you looking for?

Kevin

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. Since I havent looked at acrylic tanks before, I wanted to see if anyone could spot question marks, or possible red flags. I know it is hard from pics, but maybe I missed something. When it comes to thickness, what are norms for acrylic. It looks like bottom is quite thin sheet, less that 1/2" for sure, so not sure how that all functions. I know that would have to give it a really good clean and possibly refinish, and that will require research as I cant just take razor blade like I did with glass one. I dont mind putting in work, learning and using elbow grease, as long as I am not doing it for naught.

Would this bracing cause any potential issues when it comes to getting in the way of power cables for gyre pumps, overflow box, light penetration and so on? Thanks again

 

[outssider]

I would be afraid of scratches up the kazoo ….

 

[Oldreeferman]

For the same reasons as stated above i wouldn't pay a cent on it unless i was allow to attempt to clean it first, you know how it goes: easy to buy hard to re-sell in this World.

 

[cvrle1]

I was doing a lot of reading and research about scratches in the acrylic, and found some great threads on RC and other forum. One of them was from Scott (slief) here, and it really made me feel like I could deal with scratches. It would be empty tank, which would make it easier to deal with. I already have tools, so that is fine.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2538092


With all that said, I did go yesterday to take a look, and and ended up buying it. Managed to knock off $20, so paid $180 for the tank. Few quick things that I saw.

- It will need a good clean, which is no surprise. Pictures showed as much.
- Seams look to be all good. No water leaks anywhere yesterday when I went to see it. Filled it all up last night and will see what happens in 4-5 days. So far so good.
- There are a lot of surface and shallow scratches on the inside and outside (top of the brace as well). Most likely happened when he was using magnet to clean it, and gravel or something was stuck. You can see exact pattern he used to run magnet. When it is filled up scratches are not visible, but since I have time and found above link, I will work on those next little while.
- All the panels look to be 3/8" thick
- There is some visible bowing on both front and back panel. I took a straight edge, placed it in the middle where bowing is most pronounced and measured gap at the end of the tank. It is close to 1/2". Front is same. Of course that gap goes down as you go closer from the end to the center. Was doing research on it, and it seems to be the norm, especially with thinner panels. Found few threads where people emailed manufacturers like TruVu and they responded it is normal, to be expected and nothing to be concerned about.

Any 1st hand experience and feedback though would be much appreciated. Thanks again for help and feedback so far.