TanK Acquisition Advice Needed

[greyhoundfan]

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/for/348424966.html

I've been eyeing this on CL for weeks. Seller dropped his price too. It's looks like a beauty and if you notice.. It's an open ended tank with no top frame. Seller says it can hold fish but how can you tell for sure? Are there any signs you can tell by just looking at the tank?

[Polar_Bear]

Reid,
If those dimensions are correct, snap it up, it's really a 135 gallon tank.

W*D*H/231 in that case; 54*24*24 /231=134.64935064935064935064935064935

[greyhoundfan]

Reid,
If those dimensions are correct, snap it up, it's really a 135 gallon tank.

W*D*H/231 in that case; 54*24*24 /231=134.64935064935064935064935064935

Yeah, I guessed as much... Will it hold water??

[Kindredspirit]

One way to find out, babe:D

[Polar_Bear]

I have no clue about it holding water, I will say I would be leary if the glass is anything less than 1/2" thick due to no center brace. But then you could always silicone a piece of glass in the middle top to act as a center brace I guess.

[Camden]

135 gallon for 150 bucks can't beat that. I don't know about the holding water part but then again if it leaked for me I would just make it into a frog or turtle habitat.

[phidelt85]

If it springs a leak, reseal it with RTV108, it's an industrial grade silicone with a stronger adhesion strength. Look at Scolley's old tank; it's rimless as well.

[Ed13]

I have no clue about it holding water, I will say I would be leary if the glass is anything less than 1/2" thick due to no center brace. But then you could always silicone a piece of glass in the middle top to act as a center brace I guess.
Yeah, no kidding plus rimless tanks are siliconed different. Takes a pro to do it properly!
If its DIY I would pass, if you don't want to go through the trouble of resealing! If you don't mind go for it

Maybe if it leaks, or you want the glass, you could get three large plywood tanks out of it .

[tpl*co]

If it springs a leak, reseal it with RTV108, it's an industrial grade silicone with a stronger adhesion strength. Look at Scolley's old tank; it's rimless as well.

Yeah, but look at what happened to the Kahuna too!

I agree it's a great deal, maybe the seller can put some water in it for you before you buy it? What did they use the tank for? Another thing to ask is why they are selling it.

Tina

[crazie.eddie]

I would check the thickness of the glass. I'm not sure of the exact thickness for a 135 gallon tank, but if it's not thick enough, it may hold water, but due to the stress, may eventually break.

[Jason]

I'd pick it up and if in doubt its very easy to get a couple braces made for it. Framed tanks are a north american thing, most tanks made in europe and elswhere are frameless.

[Tropical Haven]

The minimum thickness for a 135 gal tank is 1/2" thick. I would not use this as a fish tank until you properly support it from the top. If you fill it as is, it may hold water for a little bit but the size of that tank it will open up from the sides. You definitely can use it, just support it properly from the top and you will be fine.

[discussmith]

I'm not sure but being that it is without a center brace and it doesn't appear to be a manufactured standard size this could indicate it is home made. This is fine if the person who made it used the proper thickness and knew what they were doing but if not you need to see it. You might be better off watching the classifieds and getting a standard one for the same or even less money. I am always watching the paper for aquarium bargains and have found quite a few that way.

[greyhoundfan]

Thanks for the feedback. I called the seller and she measured the tank for me. It is 1/2" thick, water tested at half capacity. I feel that it should be able to hold water but than there is the peace of mind issue. How do you brace it from the top?

[AmberC]

I would worry about it not just "springing a leak" but coming apart all together being open ended. I'd be real leary of that myself. Perhaps asking the seller if its possible to see it full of water at HIS house lol. If he wont do it... dont buy it cause that prob means it wont hold water.

Amber

[greyhoundfan]

Yeah..Amber I was thinking that too.. I think it's too risky..

[tpl*co]

I would worry about it not just "springing a leak" but coming apart all together being open ended. I'd be real leary of that myself. Perhaps asking the seller if its possible to see it full of water at HIS house lol. If he wont do it... dont buy it cause that prob means it wont hold water.

Amber

That's what happened to the Kahuna and it, I think, was a 75 gallon, beautiful tank though.

Tina

[greyhoundfan]

I chickened out and didn't get this tank.. too risky. But I did snap up a 115 G for 70 Bucks..WOOHOOOO.. 60X18X25.. WOOHOO!!

No worries on this one, thick class with a center brace and two smaller braces on the left and right ends of the tank.

[phidelt85]

Yeah, but look at what happened to the Kahuna too!

I agree it's a great deal, maybe the seller can put some water in it for you before you buy it? What did they use the tank for? Another thing to ask is why they are selling it.

Tina

OH, yea!! I'm such an idiot sometimes. I totally forgot about that until you mentioned it.:blushing:

[Camden]

I chickened out and didn't get this tank.. too risky. But I did snap up a 115 G for 70 Bucks..WOOHOOOO.. 60X18X25.. WOOHOO!!



your putting Chinese high fin in there right? ;) That would be a great tank for them. I just picked up another little guy no more then inch big trying to beef him up before I move him in with my big guy and discus :)

[greyhoundfan]

your putting Chinese high fin in there right? ;) That would be a great tank for them. I just picked up another little guy no more then inch big trying to beef him up before I move him in with my big guy and discus :)

hahah.. You remember!! Yeah.. I was seriously considering it. My LFS brings them in periodically. I was thinking about getting 6 or 7, mix them in with some clown loache and balas. I want to have a community tank.

[Camden]

hahah.. You remember!! Yeah.. I was seriously considering it. My LFS brings them in periodically. I was thinking about getting 6 or 7, mix them in with some clown loache and balas. I want to have a community tank.

Well hopefully you won't get them breeding before me :) But good luck! I'll post some pics of mine when I can steal back my camera from my gf using it.