Regarding second hand tanks

[Bayinaung]

Because of the rash of SW tank leakage I've been seeing (always seems to be SW not sure why), I'm now a bit weary of buying second hand tanks, though that's what I'd always done. At what age, would you guys consider a used tank risky buy. Or if it's been "dry" for more than a year, or two?

 

[Jewel]

Are you saying that Poseidon gave you a Rash  LOL Sorry I couldn't resist.

You have to take a look at the seams, If they look dried and cracking or perhaps a crappy reseal job, then It's up to you to say No thanks. that's what I think. I'm sure others will chime in.

 

[nexusnight]

Most tanks don't just give out. Silicone is amazingly strong. Rough looking seems are a no no bit if the joints all look good just make sure ur tank sits 100% level in all directions. Any way it's out greatly increased force on the panels and eventually will sprout a leak or worse. I think when setting up a tank levelling it off is one of the most important things to do. Often overlooked by many.


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[pulpfiction1]

only had 2 tanks brand new ever,dont buy anything that has housed a reptile or anything other than fish,like mentioned above,check the joints,sometimes the silicone might be loose where a scraper has gouged it some,its a pay your money take your chances kinda thing,brandon had a brand new unused tank that sat for awhile and it split a seam and im sure it looked alright to the eye otherwise i dont think he would of bought it,he has bought and sold enough tanks so im positive it looked good to him.ive only had one split its seam but after the incident i came to the conclusion it wasnt sitting level,i now brace everything with plywood and foam

 

[Poseidon]

Yea your right Phil it did look good and the glass looked plenty thick,
I always level
My tanks and use styro as well, just terrible luck.

I have , like Phil said, been buying used tanks for a couple years.
And I think that I will again this time around.
because, if the tank/ silicone looks to be in good condition and holding water for several years, the chances of it not holding water is slim.

And if you only need a tank, like I do, if I buy right, I can sell off the extra stuff I don't need, for decent prices to all you guys and end up making the financial contribution smaller on this rather expensive hobby, especially considering my losses kately

 

[Bayinaung]

Are you saying that Poseidon gave you a Rash  LOL Sorry I couldn't resist.

haha  it wasn't just poseidon. I think someone else on this forum's had mishaps this fall or winter, and two or three guys on the forum in Toronto. I've never seen this happen in FW which I had done since a kid. now I'm considering getting bigger tanks for SW I'm definitely concerned and since you all have done SW a lot longer than I have thought I'd ask.

 

[Bayinaung]

now brace everything with plywood and foam

how do you brace the tanks with foam. do you mean it's supported underneath with the foam so it'll level off like others said? 

I am also wondering if euro-brace tanks might be superior to the regular tanks because of the extra bracing on top? (I'm no engineer, though my father wanted me to be one lol)

 

[nexusnight]

Euro braced tanks are great and provide and extra measure of bonding the panels together. Helps eliminate glass or acrylic from bowing. Styro and plywood won't level a tank rather it helps to takeout imperfections in the surface the tank is sitting on. The levelling is done to the stand typically


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[spyd]

I suggest buying new. Sure, used tanks are readily available and most of the time there are no issues, however, in the grand scheme of what we spend on equipment and livestock, the tank itself is relatively inexpensive.

If I bought a used tank and it blew without me being right there, I would lose thousands, if not tens of thousands, of dollars worth of livestock. So, spending the extra couple hundred for new, as oppose to used, is a no brainer IMO.

Plus, if you are thinking of upgrading, why not go custom and get exactly what you want in a display. Yes it will cost you an average of $10 / gallon but that will give you starphyre glass, external overflows, euro bracing or rimless, whatever you can think of. If a problem does occur, there is a warranty period as well so you do get an insurance policy with a new tank.

 

[Reef Hero]

I would agree with Derek....
However, I think we both need to realize that me and you are likely spending more $$$ on livestock than probably most other hobbyists in ontario.... With that said it becomes a matter of jut how much risk you are willing to take on in order to save some $$$
I would be extremely concerned about buying any tank that has not had water in it for some time and especially one where it has been stores where it will be constantly exposed to changes in temperature. I think in Brandon's case the tank design itself was possibly flawed and then add on the fact that it was stored dry for who knows how long..... Personally I would have never bought it.... I would only ever buy one that is currently in operation or that has just been removed from operation. As far as being an expert on buying used tanks goes....well let's be serious and realistic for a second.... Very few, if anyone, will be able to tell if a tank will hold water long term just by looking at it.... An example of this would be poseidons tanks.... And I also believe sealife got a decent look at it and they are pretty well versed in tanks and yet still the tank seemed to be deemed ok to use and look at what happened. I'm not trying to discourage anyone from buying used but I just like to get the facts straightened out.... It is no doubt a risk and even more risky when you start buying tanks with odd designs not seen before or ones that have been dry for a while....

Oh and I forgot to mention that you also have to multiply that risk by the shadiness of kijiji

 

[AdInfinitum]

[quote author=Jewel link=topic=7806.msg81427#msg81427 date=1392358569]
Are you saying that Poseidon gave you a Rash  LOL Sorry I couldn't resist.

haha  it wasn't just poseidon. I think someone else on this forum's had mishaps this fall or winter, and two or three guys on the forum in Toronto. I've never seen this happen in FW which I had done since a kid. now I'm considering getting bigger tanks for SW I'm definitely concerned and since you all have done SW a lot longer than I have thought I'd ask.
[/quote]

I think that the tendency towards bigger tanks esp in SW is a big factor.  Larger and taller tanks obviously involve much more stress and pressure and are more susceptible to being out of level.  Add to this the additional stresses that wave boxes/wave makers add by sloshing the water against the sides over and over and risks are multiplied.

I would not worry about used tanks under 100 gallons or under 24 inches tall I have a 90 FW that I bought new 24 years ago that looks like new.  But larger tanks have always been more prone to failure which is one of the reasons that when I first decided to go big 20 odd years ago I chose Acrylic for my 200 despite the $3500 price tag for tank and stand.

My 180 is glass and I got it used but it came from someone I knew so I knew exactly who custom made it and how old it was and exactly how it had been treated. 

Knowing how the tank had been handled is the key to making the decision on a large tank.

 

[sunnykita]

I posted a question that has been posed to me on another thread, I should have posted it here I guess. I friend has suggested that the ever so popular wave makers put extra demands on the seams of a tank. I have no opinion either way on the matter, has anyone else thought of this? Have an opinion? Just curious

 

[AdInfinitum]

Waves and the "sloshing" of material is something that has to be engineered into industrial applications sometimes requiring reinforcements or baffling systems so there is no doubt that there are increased loads involved but how significant it is compared to the design margins of the tanks would require some calculation.

PS I love my wavebox....

 

[Bayinaung]

I suggest buying new. Sure, used tanks are readily available and most of the time there are no issues, however, in the grand scheme of what we spend on equipment and livestock, the tank itself is relatively inexpensive.

If I bought a used tank and it blew without me being right there, I would lose thousands, if not tens of thousands, of dollars worth of livestock. So, spending the extra couple hundred for new, as oppose to used, is a no brainer IMO.

Plus, if you are thinking of upgrading, why not go custom and get exactly what you want in a display. Yes it will cost you an average of $10 / gallon but that will give you starphyre glass, external overflows, euro bracing or rimless, whatever you can think of. If a problem does occur, there is a warranty period as well so you do get an insurance policy with a new tank.

yeah that's a good point. new tank cost is a fraction of the cost of inhabitants and other equipment.

 

[Bayinaung]

I think that the tendency towards bigger tanks esp in SW is a big factor.  Larger and taller tanks obviously involve much more stress and pressure and are more susceptible to being out of level.  Add to this the additional stresses that wave boxes/wave makers add by sloshing the water against the sides over and over and risks are multiplied.

I would not worry about used tanks under 100 gallons or under 24 inches tall I have a 90 FW that I bought new 24 years ago that looks like new.  But larger tanks have always been more prone to failure which is one of the reasons that when I first decided to go big 20 odd years ago I chose Acrylic for my 200 despite the $3500 price tag for tank and stand.

My 180 is glass and I got it used but it came from someone I knew so I knew exactly who custom made it and how old it was and exactly how it had been treated. 

Knowing how the tank had been handled is the key to making the decision on a large tank.

Great points.  the big tanks need to get engineered correctly. who knew engineering would be useful for my hobbies!  should have done it like my dad wanted me to )~~~

by the way I'm going to have to look up your builds now. 180 AND 200g tanks? WOW.

 

[AdInfinitum]

by the way I'm going to have to look up your builds now. 180 AND 200g tanks? WOW.

Awkward...I haven't updated the 180 thread in ages and I don't think I ever did one for the 200 since it is only fish and some softies.

My bad I really need to update things before Salty reaches for "THE BAN HAMMER"  lol

 

[Bayinaung]

haha yeah take some pics man. TWO huge tanks.