Looking at buying a used aquarium

[RRaider]

Anything to be concerned about? Do tanks give out when they get too old? I have no idea how old the tank is, the current owner has had it running for the last three years.

 

[Crustman]

Look for scratches on the glass. A 3 year old tank is not very old. I had a 55 gallon that was 20 years old and it never leaked. Ask if the owner has ever used copper in the tank. Some fw hobbyists keep copper in the tank.

 

[RRaider]

He bought it used. Right now it's a fowl setup.

 

[Overland04]

Try to see if the silicone is fully intact. I know after a couple years the silicone can get ripped and cut from cleaning the glass through maintenance. I would say to fill it with water to check for leaks but if the tank is still up than you don't have to worry. other than that as crustman said check for scratches and overall condition.

Its hard to say how long they last. Its like a car, some can last to 300,000 miles and some don't make it to 5000 miles. it sounds like its fine though.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Because he only has a FOWLR tank it's possible that it may have copper lurking around in it. If you clean it with a vinegar solution and let it soak you should be fine. Copper is bad for inverts and corals so if you’re planning on having a FOWLR than copper isn't a big deal. But if you want a reef tank.. take the time and clean it well. Good luck with your new tank.

^^Oh and don’t forget to kick the tires