When is a tank too old?

[skjl47]

Hello; I may have misunderstood your initial post. For what it is worth I have had relatively new tanks leak. Have had sudden near total loss of a 125 gallon due to a build mistake. Also have had tanks go for a long time with out leaks.
I did not catch on that you had more specific problems.

 

[tiger15]

I don’t think fish tanks have finite mileage that will necessarily fail after certain age. A well built tank of the right dimensions, placed on a stable stand, can be in continuous use forever. My first 75 gal was purchased new in 1987, moved once, has been in continuous use. My second 75 gal and 125 gal purchased in the 1990s have also been in continuous use since then. On the other hand, I had a brand new 30 gal tank leaked spontaneously in matter months for no reason other than thin glass and defective silicone.

Odd dimension tanks such as curved front, Hexagonal, or tall tanks are potential leaker over time due to extra and uneven water pressure. .My lfs set up a 120 gal 30” tall tank leaked spontaneously after 6 months. An unstable stand due to weak structure or water damage can cause tank distortion leak. An unfilled tank for years can cause dried silicone crack leak, so don’t buy garage sale used tank. Once a tank leak, it is unrepairable as resealing can only delay the next leak.

 

[fish2013]

Thank you. From what we can see it leaked from the joint at the bottom in the back. It seems like the silicone pulled away from the glass under the gravel. The tank was level (we would check every few months with a level) so not sure and it was 13 years old without any issues prior. Here is a picture. I never managed to fully scrape the algae. I also put a picture of the stand it came with. Please let me know if anything. I don't wish this on anyone, giving the fish up was hard. At least we were able to save them, hopefully they will go to good homes.

 

[toxicfish]

I just resealed my 190g tank this weekend. I bought it in January 2006. It wasn't leaking, but I noticed algae growing under the silicone in the corners. I'm letting it cure for 8 days before doing a water test.

 

[skjl47]

Once a tank leak, it is unrepairable as resealing can only delay the next leak.

Hello; I strongly disagree with this comment. While it can be a chore to reseal a tank, such can and has been done often. I posted my procedure on here years ago. The steps needed are somewhat exacting. A key is getting the surfaces clean and dry.

 

[skjl47]

Please let me know if anything.

Hello; If I am seeing the stand correctly, I do see something. Appears the bottom of the tank rims were supported on two ends well but not completely along the back & front. Only a single board. I get the tank was running for some time that way. For that matter I have seen images on this site of tanks supported on only the ends.

If you do decide to try again perhaps some work on the stand or a different stand. I prefer metal stands but understand they are not so common any more. My current 55 gallon stand is of a similar wood type. Been set up maybe twenty years with a couple of moves. I keep thinking of getting a metal stand but do not want to take it down.

 

[tiger15]

Iron stand is not commonly sold today as it provides no cabinet to hide equipment. But you can make one cheaply in iron shop. I tailor made one to stack two 75 gal in my basement that has been in use for 40 years. I think I paid $40 in 1980s, probably triple in cost today, still cheaper than wood cabinet.

 

[fish2013]

Thank you, we agree on the stand, we think that the back being empty caused it to fail. When we bought the tank and stand, it came as a unit and we have a limited lifetime warranty on it as long as we used the stand that came with the tank and did not modify anything. I'll be calling the company tomorrow. If it weren't for the warranty I think we would have added something, but we figured that if that company was giving a limited lifetime warranty then the stand was probably okay. And we did check the level every now and then. Thank you again.

 

[fish2013]

Iron stand is not commonly sold today as it provides no cabinet to hide equipment. But you can make one cheaply in iron shop. I tailor made one to stack two 75 gal in my basement that has been in use for 40 years. I think I paid $40 in 1980s, probably triple in cost today, still cheaper than wood cabinet.

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Oh wow! That looks amazing! Thank you for sharing!