Using a used tank

[tsellers]

I have been lurking on this message board for quite some time now and have found it extremely helpful. I have a quick question regarding used reef tanks. About three years ago I purchased a new AGA 65 gallon reef ready tank. Unfortunately the tank has a plastic center brace on it. About three months ago I purchased some used equipment, that equipment came with a used (about 11 years) 58 gallon reef ready Oceanic tank. I am debating on using the 58 gallon tank because of the lighting sutuation. With the 65 I will need two metal halides (250W), with the 58 I will only need one. So, here is the question. Other than filling up the 58 with water to perform a leak test how can I be sure the tank is in good enough condition to use? What signs should I look for in the silicone seams? Is it worth the risk or should I just use the 65? Any thoughts or comments are appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

Welcome from out of the shadows lurker! :wink:

With used, unless you can trust the word of the former owner, you can never be totally sure... - The reason I say that is that some claim that copper will ruin a tank forever (leaching in and apparently back out of the silicone..)

My personal experience differs though.. - I have a 30g tank I used long ago as marine FO and dosed copper on a somewhat regular basis. :?

After letting that tank sit for several years I put it back in service as a reef without any ill effects. (Well, other than using the wrong type of silicone to make the baffles in my sump, but thats a whole 'nuther issue.)

So... - My opinion probably differs from many others. - I would say run a leak test and then take it slow, watching your inverts for signs of stress..

HTH,
Norm

 

[Ben1]

If the tank has been empty for that many years I would scrape off all the old sillicone with a razor blade and re-do it, just to be sure.

 

[jsbradbury]

I have to agree with Ben. Every tank I have (125g and 55g freshwater, 75g reef) has been purchased used. I resilicone them all and then run the leak test with bleach for a couple of days. Havn't had a problem yet.

 

[K]

all my tanks are second hand and I have had no problems unless the silicone loks dodgy I'd just check it for leaks and then fire ahead

 

[Anonymous]

heh

alright, so maybe my opinions not that much different.. - just more wordy..

 

[Anonymous]

I have had a new tank leak on me. I was very lucky it was in my basement at the time. All 55 gallons ended up on the floor. Go new unless you really know how to build and seal a tank. I don't think its worth the risk.

 

[tsellers]

Thanks to everyone for your feedback.

If I do decide to replace the silicone in the tank what brand of silicone should I use?

 

[Anonymous]

I've used GE Type II (in the BLUE tube, NOT RED) with good results.

 

[Ben1]

I thought you could use any 100% silicone sealent as long as it doesnt contain any other addatives such as moldacides and such.

On my 150 which I paid for with some frags and like 75$ or something I scraped it nice and clean with a razor, then used some sort of acetone to clean away the edges. Then I re siliconed the whole mess. Waited 3 days then leak tested.

worked great!