Newbie. Problems with my new used tank.

[AR_Clint]

Oddly enough I started into this hobby a few months back doing saltwater and decided it was a bit to needy for me. I've now made the decision to make a large freshwater set-up. Well, I just got an amazing deal on a 150 gallon tank with the stand for $100. Obviously, for a price like this it's used. I found the original date of manufacture which was 1995, but it seems to be in good shape for a 12 year old tank.

Well, I have a few questions before I start creating my freshwater aquarium.

1. I've noticed a light clowdiness on all the glass. It is very faint and there are speratic clear sploches where the glass looks normal (some look like circles like they were from a suction cup). I tried to clean it off with a razor blade and also alcohol, but to no avail. Does anyone know what this could be and how I could get rid of it?

2. The lady I bought it from said it held water a while ago. She has used it for quite a few years for her boa so she didn't know for sure. She seemed worried about the heat caused by the long term use of heat lamps and said I might want to put an extra layer of silicon around it just in case . I looked at the current silicone and it looks fine. I don't know if I really have a set question. I think I'm just looking for some insight and advice about this.

Thanks guys,
Clint

 

[Bderick67]

I would place it in a level spot and fill it and test for water tihgt for a couple weeks. if it does in fact leak, then you will need to strip all old silicone and reseal the entire tank with new. Fairly easy to do, about a 2-3 hour job.

 

[AR_Clint]

Here are some pics of the glass.

 

[DuckHole]

I dont know what that is on your glass but I have the same thing on a old 90g I have. I tried everything from razorblade to soaking in vinegar and nothing worked. I said F it and set it up anyway, but it bugs the living hell outa me.

 

[Mystix212]

Because its housed a snake, you're going to have to clean it very well before you fill. But when you do, do a tets fill first to check signs of bowing and leakage.

 

[bigspizz]

Looks like it used to be the back of the tank. Looks like the print of a background, that someone used oil on, and then removed it.....

 

[AR_Clint]

Looks like it used to be the back of the tank. Looks like the print of a background, that someone used oil on, and then removed it.....

Good logical thinking, but it's around all the glass, not just the back. It's also just on the inside.

I also just scrubbed it with bleach, CLR and "the Works" bathroom cleaner... Nothing.

 

[Onion01]

if nothing else works, remember that those marks aren't that visible when the tank is filled with water

 

[Wolf3101]

I use a glass polishing kit to remove that haze from older tanks. it's a fine coating of minerals built up from years of water. I use the polishing compound and a small power buffer on new tanks for a couple of hours.

Press on the center of the silicone seals with a fingernail and watch the ends of the seal. if they pull away from the glass then reseal it but if not then you should be fine.

oops I almost forgot..after polishing the glass...inside and out....rince it well and then go over it with a paste made up of baking soda and water. This will remove any remaining grit from the polishing compound.

 

[Cross127]

if nothing else works, remember that those marks aren't that visible when the tank is filled with water

Very true I bought a used 125 with gouges in the glass. I am talking like deep ugly gouges but once the water was in it was like magic.