Life span of a aquarium?
- Thread starter Newfe
- Start date
That's...a good question. All my acrylics are apparently one-piece....no seals that I can see ( 20gal bowfront is the biggest ) Acrylics vary all over the place as to quality. I've got stuff here that $400.00 per 8' X 4' X .25" It's been out in freezing winter, blistering summers for a number of years now...seems fine.
Some of it will become brittle with age, most especially if it gets hot and dry ( as in an aquarium that's been empty in the garage for 5 years). Add to that, such a tank in acrylic is probably more than a little scratched up. On the whole, personally I prefer glass...but that's just me
Some of it will become brittle with age, most especially if it gets hot and dry ( as in an aquarium that's been empty in the garage for 5 years). Add to that, such a tank in acrylic is probably more than a little scratched up. On the whole, personally I prefer glass...but that's just me
i have wondered about the age of tanks for awhile myself. So everyone who says "look at the seams/silicon" what are you looking for? cracks, discoloration?
^
yup. and plyability of the silicone. it should be a bit springy to the touch but still firm, like hard rubber. but not rock solid. that usually means its dried out too long and will crack and cause the tank to leak.
yup. and plyability of the silicone. it should be a bit springy to the touch but still firm, like hard rubber. but not rock solid. that usually means its dried out too long and will crack and cause the tank to leak.
Yep just like mine, built back when tanks were built the "proper" way. Not the cheap thin glass with a plastic brace at the top that 95% of the time breaks way.BlackShark11k;4225812; said:
I too prefer the tanks of old. although I must admit I am impressed with the construction of my Aqueon 150g.
Acrylic tanks will generally last longer. Most, if not all, have lifetime warranties, something you don't often see with glass tanks. And you rarely hear of them springing a leak.
I had a 10 gal glass tank release its contents on my kitchen counter. It was 7 years old. I kind of hoped the silicone of a small glass tank would last longer than a large tank holding much more water but I guess not...
I had a 10 gal glass tank release its contents on my kitchen counter. It was 7 years old. I kind of hoped the silicone of a small glass tank would last longer than a large tank holding much more water but I guess not...
yes, that is surprising. 7 years isn't very old for a glass tank at all.
if you buy a well made glass tank brand new, you should expect the seals to last around 20 years or so.
or, at least that is the sort of lifespan I have had before selling them. I have yet to reseal a tank.
had I not sold them, who knows maybe they would still be holding water..
if you buy a well made glass tank brand new, you should expect the seals to last around 20 years or so.
or, at least that is the sort of lifespan I have had before selling them. I have yet to reseal a tank.
had I not sold them, who knows maybe they would still be holding water..
