How do you measure "Glass Tank's Life"

[nanoambiance]

Are all glass tanks good forever unless you damage them, or do they warp and leak eventually? Is is proportionate to how many times you tear down and move the glass tank? Or, unless you crack the glass or it has scratches, no worries, keep on using it?
Just curious? Thanks for input from those who have been in this hobby for yeas and years . . .

 

[nanoambiance]

Wow. I did not know that the seals will not last if you let your tank dry as long? Is that only after saltwater contact you worry about length of dry time, because the tanks themselves are in the store aisles for quite some time without water.
I have heard several cases of the rectangular tanks bowing out, but they never broke or any horror stories.

 

[dreeves]

I think as a general rule...from the day you purchase and set it up...to the day it starts leaking without you breaking it..that would be a good lifespan...in other words...there are way too many variables to determine an age of a tank...exterior climate, how it is leveled, so on and so on...

 

[beaslbob]

I have a tank I bought in the late 70's, was in storage for 10 years and I set up last year. Still good with no leaks.
Hard to say.
could be they go bad 1 minute after the warrantee expires.
or the manufacturer goes bankrupt.

 

[scirdan]

did you say you had a tank you brought from the 20s?, I have one thats about 20 years old, I thought that was old

 

[beaslbob]

Originally posted by scirdan
did you say you had a tank you brought from the 20s?, I have one thats about 20 years old, I thought that was old
Woops and edited meant the late 70's. Actually, my first tank was metal framed and used tar as a sealant LOL

 

[kzlen]

Ive had my tanks for 9 yrs and Ive moved 7 to be 8 times since than, 2 times i moved over 150 miles and they are in good shape but my 20 needs resealed. they sat about 1 1/2 years with no water in them at one point. And to my knowledge im the 3rd owner of 2 of them and second owner on the tank my saltwater is in.