Used aquarium concerns
- Thread starter cipher43
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saxman
Guest
About the only real concern would be that if you plan on keeping a reef tank, that the previous owner used copper in the tank, and IMHO, this is really more of an issue with a glass tank as the Cu may have gotten into the silicone in the joints and could leach out and may kill sensitive inverts.
aquaknight
Active Member
What size tank is it? If it's less then 75gals, you have to question the worth/risk. Is a $100 difference, worth it, when you have so much more invested.
Pointers for looking at used large tanks, check the silicone. Run your finger over the silicone on the inside of the tank and make sure it's still soft and malleable. Make sure it's not peeling up anywhere too bad. Then check the braces on the top of the tank. If it doesn't have any, make sure it's not suppose to and not that they simply were removed. Make sure they're original. Lastly check the fitment of the glass panes. No tank is 100% perfect, but all should be almost perfect. Make sure one pane doesn't like sit .5" higher, or one side pane is tilted, or something else.
I'm gonna have to disagree with my bud Sax on this one. But I firmly believe the copper leaching from silicone is a myth. To suggest that silicone has the ability to absorb copper, would first suggest that water/copper can permeate silicone, which would mean all glass tanks would eventually leak. Secondly, even if somehow copper did leach into the tank, it would be such a minute amount, no invert would be affect. As algae present in every aquarium, would quickly consume the copper.
Pointers for looking at used large tanks, check the silicone. Run your finger over the silicone on the inside of the tank and make sure it's still soft and malleable. Make sure it's not peeling up anywhere too bad. Then check the braces on the top of the tank. If it doesn't have any, make sure it's not suppose to and not that they simply were removed. Make sure they're original. Lastly check the fitment of the glass panes. No tank is 100% perfect, but all should be almost perfect. Make sure one pane doesn't like sit .5" higher, or one side pane is tilted, or something else.
I'm gonna have to disagree with my bud Sax on this one. But I firmly believe the copper leaching from silicone is a myth. To suggest that silicone has the ability to absorb copper, would first suggest that water/copper can permeate silicone, which would mean all glass tanks would eventually leak. Secondly, even if somehow copper did leach into the tank, it would be such a minute amount, no invert would be affect. As algae present in every aquarium, would quickly consume the copper.
cipher43
Member
The tank im looking at is a 75 gal and they want 150 for it and the stand. A brand new one at the LFS is 229 for tank only. Not sure if i get this one if i would use the stand anyways because i think i would like to build my own. If there would happen to be any copper leached is there any way to get rid of it or would it be there forever?
ryancw01
Member
+1 on checking the silicon and everything. That tank does look pretty sturdy, but saltwater tanks are going to be much more demanding on a tank than freshwater because of all the critters in the sand that can dig around and all the rock that sits on top of the glass. Plus, saltwater tanks have powerheads that can make waves in your tank which will be demanding on the seams. I had a previous tank that was clearly made for freshwater (no overflows, thin glass) and it ended up leaking after about 3.5 years of buying it brand new. I could definetely tell the difference when I got a new tank with overflow, etc in the craftsmanship. Huge difference...
2quills
Well-Known Member
Petsmart sells some Aqueon products, I would call them and see if they can get a hold of one of their reef ready tanks for you. I bought one of those Top Fin brand 55g tanks that they sell and it leaked after a year and a half and I was using it for freshwater fish. The aftermath wasn't pretty. Thinner glass and a cheap silicone job. I see the aqueons down here and they are built much better. Aqueon actually owns All Glass now so they are basically All Glass brand tanks. If not then check their site and do a search for the closest distributer. Just my .02
gemmy
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/385253/used-aquarium-concerns#post_3378178
Petsmart sells some Aqueon products, I would call them and see if they can get a hold of one of their reef ready tanks for you. I bought one of those Top Fin brand 55g tanks that they sell and it leaked after a year and a half and I was using it for freshwater fish. The aftermath wasn't pretty. Thinner glass and a cheap silicone job. I see the aqueons down here and they are built much better. Aqueon actually owns All Glass now so they are basically All Glass brand tanks. If not then check their site and do a search for the closest distributer. Just my .02
They can't order the reef ready tanks.
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/385253/used-aquarium-concerns#post_3378178
Petsmart sells some Aqueon products, I would call them and see if they can get a hold of one of their reef ready tanks for you. I bought one of those Top Fin brand 55g tanks that they sell and it leaked after a year and a half and I was using it for freshwater fish. The aftermath wasn't pretty. Thinner glass and a cheap silicone job. I see the aqueons down here and they are built much better. Aqueon actually owns All Glass now so they are basically All Glass brand tanks. If not then check their site and do a search for the closest distributer. Just my .02
They can't order the reef ready tanks.
2quills
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///forum/thread/385253/used-aquarium-concerns#post_3378303
They can't order the reef ready tanks.
Gemmy, you need to make them see the error of there ways.
They're missing out on our money. They sell actinic lighting and instant ocean salt but they won't carry reef tanks? Do they not like us?
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///forum/thread/385253/used-aquarium-concerns#post_3378303
They can't order the reef ready tanks.
Gemmy, you need to make them see the error of there ways.
2quills
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cipher43 http:///forum/thread/385253/used-aquarium-concerns#post_3378333
the one around here doesn't have saltwater fish either.
Nope I don't think any of them do, I figured since they carried some of the Aqueon products they might be able to order one so you wouldn't have to pay an arm and leg for shipping. I think Gemmy works for them so she would know. I would contact your closest actual fish store and ask what brand of aquariums they can get.
Originally Posted by Cipher43 http:///forum/thread/385253/used-aquarium-concerns#post_3378333
the one around here doesn't have saltwater fish either.
Nope I don't think any of them do, I figured since they carried some of the Aqueon products they might be able to order one so you wouldn't have to pay an arm and leg for shipping. I think Gemmy works for them so she would know. I would contact your closest actual fish store and ask what brand of aquariums they can get.
gemmy
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/385253/used-aquarium-concerns#post_3378350
Nope I don't think any of them do, I figured since they carried some of the Aqueon products they might be able to order one so you wouldn't have to pay an arm and leg for shipping. I think Gemmy works for them so she would know. I would contact your closest actual fish store and ask what brand of aquariums they can get.
There are a couple that do saltwater (they are test stores), but the majority of the stores do not. I am psyched we finally have some real powerheads (not koralia). They sell some supplies for saltwater, but just remember to check the dates.
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/385253/used-aquarium-concerns#post_3378350
Nope I don't think any of them do, I figured since they carried some of the Aqueon products they might be able to order one so you wouldn't have to pay an arm and leg for shipping. I think Gemmy works for them so she would know. I would contact your closest actual fish store and ask what brand of aquariums they can get.
There are a couple that do saltwater (they are test stores), but the majority of the stores do not. I am psyched we finally have some real powerheads (not koralia). They sell some supplies for saltwater, but just remember to check the dates.
2quills
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cipher43 http:///forum/thread/385253/used-aquarium-concerns#post_3378370
so the big question is are there aquariums they sell ok for using and even drilling? I dont want to pay 200 bucks and then break it with a hole saw...... I dont think they would give me a new one if i did that
It just depends, if you're looking to drill it yourself then you'll want to get one that isn't made of tempered glass. Most non reef ready (not drilled) tanks are only tempered on the bottom such as the case with my tank and is why I drilled the back pane. With the extra cost, time and effort you will spend drilling your tank and purchasing the materials, overflows etc. You're probably better off just purchasing a reef ready tank from the get go. Sure they cost more upfront, but you'll probably break even in the end. Alot of fish stores deal with different suppliers, I would just ask them if they can find you what you are looking for.
FWIW, drilling really isn't that bad. It's the small tanks with the really thin glass that you have to watch out for. I've seen quite a few beginners pull it off without a hitch, myself included.
Originally Posted by Cipher43 http:///forum/thread/385253/used-aquarium-concerns#post_3378370
so the big question is are there aquariums they sell ok for using and even drilling? I dont want to pay 200 bucks and then break it with a hole saw...... I dont think they would give me a new one if i did that
It just depends, if you're looking to drill it yourself then you'll want to get one that isn't made of tempered glass. Most non reef ready (not drilled) tanks are only tempered on the bottom such as the case with my tank and is why I drilled the back pane. With the extra cost, time and effort you will spend drilling your tank and purchasing the materials, overflows etc. You're probably better off just purchasing a reef ready tank from the get go. Sure they cost more upfront, but you'll probably break even in the end. Alot of fish stores deal with different suppliers, I would just ask them if they can find you what you are looking for.
FWIW, drilling really isn't that bad. It's the small tanks with the really thin glass that you have to watch out for. I've seen quite a few beginners pull it off without a hitch, myself included.