Life span?

[Kaiden]

I recently bought a used tank from CL. It's a 150 gallon tank with a detachable center brace at the top but nothing on the bottom. The owner said he had it for 5 years. So I assumed that's how old it was, and since it was also in mint condition (no chips and very few minor scratches), I wasn't that worried about buying it. When I was cleaning it out though, I noticed at the back it had a sticker that says "Aug 2 1989". I was very surprised. If my assumption is correct, then that's when the tank manufactured...which will make it just 2 years younger than I am lol.

Now I'm worried about the integrity of it. I did some quick Google search and some people say that if the tank has no center brace, then it's an Oceanic tank which they say is better built than the AGA ones. Are they right? But seeing as it's more than 20 years old, should I be kicking myself for buying such an old tank? Is it a ticking time bomb that's about to leak or bow out soon? What can you say is the average life span of a tank? The glass on it is at least 1/2" thick.

This is the first time I've bought a used tank...Now I'm wishing I asked first before I made the purchase.

Here are some pics of it

I left it 3/4 filled for two days just to make sure it's not going to leak



This is how it looks like now



The stand has no center brace too



The detachable center brace

 

[joe jaskot]

I have some tanks that are 30 - 35+ years old. I don't lose any sleep worrying about them leaking.

 

[lp85253]

if you dont beat it with a louisville slugger your probably ok

 

[Kaiden]

Thanks guys! That's very reassuring.