sheamurai

Hi
I just bought a used 77 gallon tank. Its about 5 yrs old, and been sitting dry for the past 8 months. I've filled it half full, and am leaving it overnight to check for leaks.

My question is, how long do tanks last before they begin to leak?

Shawnie

I have a 55 gal tank thats 13 years old ..ive had it 8 years...when I got it 8 years ago, I had it as a terrarium for 2 years then turned it into a full fish tank...but I did reseal it when I got it 8 years ago..its still going strong...each tank is different and it background makes a ton of difference..if it was used for reptiles, it should be resealed as they dig at the silicone allot...if it it was kept dry, then wet, then dry again, that can dry out the silicone also...do you know the life of the tank and what its been used for?

sheamurai

I'm told it was bought about five years ago, had fish in it for about 4 years, and then was emptied (but not moved, it was emptied and left where it was) and sat dry for 8 or 9 months til I came along.

harpua2002

Go ahead and do a leak test for sure, but I wouldn't worry about it. Our 120 gallon is from 1995 and it's working out just fine without resealing. We even have a 75 gallon from 1984 that holds water just fine. I don't know if the previous owner resealed it or not, but I leak tested it for over a week before setup.

sheamurai

a week! Its all I can do to give it overnight before moving my fish in!

aquarist48

I've had my 155g up and running for 10 years now. I bought it new. It's never been empty since I brought it home.

sheamurai

I am reassured by all these older tanks - thanks folks! I am not worried now about setting this up and having to break it down a year from now to fix it/replace it.

aquarist48

Best of luck and if possible send some pictures our way!

harpua2002

LOL... I'm sure I can speak for many of us when I say I could never afford this level of involvement in the hobby if I were buying all new tanks!

sheamurai

Here's a pic just moved into the bigger tank today! The white blob is the old filter pad from my old tank - just helping get the cycle going. The old filter is running (new cartridge, but with the old bio-wheel) on it as well.
http://www.fishlore.com/fishpicture/...0&ppuser=14333
Thanks for your comments all!

aquarist48

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing it.

sheamurai

thanks
Funny tho, how the second you pull out a camera, all the fish disappear...

crzyb1080

you know, I just got a for free from a neighbor. No idea how many owners its had but when I was cleaning it I saw a tag that read "All-Glass Aquarium 1987". It does not leak!