Used Tank questions

[tugboat]

I have bought used tanks in the past but my question to you guys is how old is too old? At what point (age) is the silicone possibly degraded enough to be a potential leaker etc. I had a guy offer me a beautiful tank but it is over 8 years old (recently taken down) and I am leery about setting it up if I grab it etc.

[Regalblue]

Just check out the seals & make sure they look good.

If you want... I'll pass along the number for the guy who fixes my tanks.

[four_by_ken]

8 years isn't bad if it's been in use.  Sitting dry for 8 years, I would pass.

[linuxrulesusa]

8 years isn't bad if it's been in use.  Sitting dry for 8 years, I would pass.

Also depends how it's been stored, how many times it's been moved, etc.  I have had newer tanks leak (especially cheap Aqueon ones), mostly smaller ones, if moved with barely any water in them, or crack fairly easily, etc.  Like Blair said, look at the seals, if they look solid with few to no bubbles, silicone not peeling up, etc, it should be fine.

For peace of mind talk to the guy Blair and others have used and get a reseal with nice black silicone...for a good sized tank it's well worth not worrying about it leaking.

[Steve]

Like Blair said, look at the seals, if they look solid with few to no bubbles, silicone not peeling up, etc, it should be fine.

That's what I pretty much go on as well. Heck one of my 55g's has an inspection sticker on the bottom that says it's from/was inspected in 1993 so that's 20 yrs old and yet there's no problems at all with it. I view tanks like I view cars and women.....age is not very important, it's how it was maintained that matters

[Marty]

My 400 gallon sat empty in my basement for 8 years.

[linuxrulesusa]

My 400 gallon sat empty in my basement for 8 years.

Have you had issues with tanks people left in sheds or attics?  I had one that was stored in someone's attic give at a bottom seam.  It was about ten or twelve years old and I'd had it running almost a year.

[Marty]

I'd agree with what has already been said, take a look at what the seams look like.  Sometimes it's just a chance you're taking when you buy a used tank.