Buying a old tank

Backfromthedead

Potamotrygon
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Jul 12, 2017
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If the seals appear excessively worn--cracked or falling apart--then i would say yes.

You should always make the seller prove the tank is water ready by demanding a fill test before buying.

Pics of the tank in question would go a long way.
 

Jexnell

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Jul 17, 2017
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Depends
Inspect it closely, ask questions like has it always been in use? If stored, where.
Its not good to store glass in the cold. Can cause the silicone to get brittle and ultimately leak.
Just inspect the seams closely, preferably filled to see that it holds water.

But you can quickly tell if a tank is worth getting. Does the glass have scratches? Glass is harder to scratch, so if it has scratches you can assume that's it's old has been used a lot. Same with the frame. If its ragged looking, cracks and such will give you clues of age of the tank.
 
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Hank82

Jack Dempsey
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Apr 23, 2019
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The seller also says there are a few scratches but that they are not visible when filled with water. Garage kept in Tulsa, 6 months not in use
 

Jexnell

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Looks to be in good shape. Still close inspection of the seams will tell the tale.
But just going off the pics looks like a nice set up. You don't see any gouges or marks in the stand that would come with multiple moves.
 

Ulu

Potamotrygon
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Dec 13, 2018
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Folks, the silicone does not get brittle, but I won't go into that complicated subject here. Instead I will post a new thread.

It is very bad to store an empty tank outdoors and there I will tell you why!
 
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Backfromthedead

Potamotrygon
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Folks, the silicone does not get brittle, but I won't go into that complicated subject here. Instead I will post a new thread.

It is very bad to store an empty tank outdoors and there I will tell you why!
I think what jex meant was that the temperature swings cause a lot of expansion and contraction, and the silicone weakens eventually. I think brittle is a good way to describe it when it hardens, begins peeling and fraying off in chunks.
 
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