Aquarium durability?

[dut]

This is probably a stupid question but was curious about it. I have had a 180 gallon tank for about 5 years now. Was curious to any concerns I should have about the tank. Meaning the tank itself...as in the glass/ stand and glue holding glass together. Are these things built to last forever or could they wear apart after prolonged years? Its probably just a stupid thing to wrry about but 180 gallons in the bed room will make ya nervous. Dont want to wash away in the middle of the night.

 

[t316]

I have had similar concerns. My 270 would go staight down into the basement below. It's in a wall which separates 2 rooms, so as a precaution, I grouted the floor inside the wall (below the tank) added a drain cover and piped it out of the back of the house. It wouldn't catch 270 gal all at once, but if there is a leak, it should handle that.

 

[zman1]

The age of your tank (5 yrs) shouldn't be a big concern. My Oceanic 75 gallon is still in use and was purchased new in 86 and moved professionaly 3 times and at least six times (or more) by me to different locations in the houses. Make sure it's level... Knock on wood it has never leaked.

 

[mcbdz]

I may be wrong, but I think somebody said the manufactures warrenty for the silicon is like 20yrs.

Hopefully it will start to leak when it wears out and not bust.

 

[tokey]

I was told 10yrs for salt and longer for fresh so I hope your right at 20 but that seems like a long time for silicone to last in a saltwater environment.

 

[big]

It is not a salt tank, but I bought a 55 slate bottom "Metaframe" with the stainless steel framing in about 1973. Anyone old enough to remember those!!! LOL.. Still holding water at the neighbors ( gave it away) after several moves in the last 35 years of service. A good newer tank should last a long time even with salt. To think back, I am not even sure it was new then...........

 

[pastor b.]

My former 75 gallon salt water aquarium lasted almost 20 years with crushed coral in it . And one day, I noticed that the water level was lowering nearly every other day. I thought it was due to the heaters until I saw the floor and the stand wet . I even looked underneath the aquarium with a flashlight ,and low and behold there was a wet spot .I ignored it and decided to upgrade to a 150 . After moving the 75 is when the discovery of the leak was made very clear . It was near the bottom corner. Its a blessing that our aquarium is in our basement .