question about purchasing a used tank

[saltyESQ]

I will soon be looking for a larger tank and I want to save some $$ and buy a used one. How concerned should I be about the age of the tank?

My first tank was a 75g glass and I was forced :rollface: to buy a new tank bc the salt creep was growing where the glass was glued and it was growing at a fast rate.

I am more into acrylic now and is there anything to worry aboyut purchasing a used acrylic tank.


what is the max age I should buy when looking at glass or acrylic?


thanks

 

[SPSFiend]

Well, I did some research as I bought a used tank. Personally I like glass better than acrylic. Glass stays clear and does not scratch as easy. If you plan to have a reef with Metal Halides, then you will get coraline growth all over and will have to scrape off.

Anyhow, I have heard two accounts. One being that old glass tanks can come aprt at the seems and the other being that if it is a good manufactured tank, then it will last many many years.

I just bought a tank that is 3 years old glass 180G. I will be selling my 120G as soon as I transfer my corals over etc. If you are interested, check out my gallery.

Also, note that acrylic tanks tend to "bow" out after time and I beleive they can loose their clarity with age.

Hope this helps and good luck!

 

[saltyESQ]

sorry, i am interested in a larger tank, 150-180g.

anyone else

 

[Bebo77]

look at the seams... you want to see very little if no bubbles... look for spider web cracks on all joints.. and check to see if the previous owner cut the acrylic.. a lot of people like to cut the top of the tank to do "custom" work...

 

[bromion]

I bought a used Oceanic glass tank -- not sure how old -- but this thing is solid. I cannot even imagine a leak at the seams it's built so well.

Save this message so I can eat my words if the tank does leak one day.

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

I bought a used 60 G galls tank back in the eary '90's. It still holds water just fine even after sitting out side empty for about a year or so.

As for acrylic, make suer it's think enough for the size of teh tank. Also sa mentioned, check the seams for bubbles. That's the biggets factor in how well it will hold. Also ask cayecaulker
about his mishap recently when his tank came apart.

As for glass, I have repaired leaks in the seams of a glass tank and it held up fine. I don't think you can do that with acrylic and have it look good. I know they do have a thinker acrylic glue, similar to using silicone on glass. You just have to lay that side down while glueing as it's a bit runnier than silicone.

 

[noschmo]

I would say that anything less than 25 years would fit the bill. Besides, aren't you a rich lawyer?