Fixing broken and leaking aquariums?.

[Eupterus]

Ok...wondering if it's worth it to repair broken and leaking aquariums.
I have a need for a spawning tank here:
I have a stand for standard twenty gal.

I have two twenty gals.
One cracked side( parents broke it) and the other one sprung a leak.
They broke several other aquariums kept in storage, this was the largest one and the worst loss. I'm glad I held on to the thirty gal even though it's been cluttered because they would have borken them too and I would had no place to move my fish.

Or I should hold out for that "free tank" that some mahy seem to come across?. I've posted on free cycle with no response.

[Mgamer20o0]

i think a 20 gal isnt worth fixing but the experience fixing the leaking one but make it worth it.

[p3purr]

I agree with Mgamer.

I've gotten tanks off freecycle so it does happen. Craigslist is another option. I have a local thrift shop and she'll call me when aquarium equipment comes in so I can help her price it. That way if she gets in something I want I know it's there. In other words getting creative is a good thing.

Are there any local aquarium groups in your area? We have one that has an online forum and another local online forum. Both groups are great places to trade equipment, plants and livestock.

[vidiots]

Local yard sales are also a good place to find cheap used tanks.
And last time I bought a new 20gal tank a couple years ago I think it cost me about $40 just for the glass portion of it as complete systems cost much more. 10gals bought tank only can be found at Walmart for like $12. Just pointing this out before you spend too much on stuff needed to repair your existing aquariums such as a big tube of silicone, glass, razor blades, and other things.

I've also found that aquariums are very difficult to take apart without doing further damage to them as they were plastic trim and glass "glued" together very well often in places difficult to reach with a razor blade.

That said I have read of others "glueing" a patch over a damaged portion of the tank to make it hold water again. This may function, but I'd imaging this patch can be quite unsighty unless carefully hidden say under gravel, or behind decorations.

[p3purr]

The tank with the leak doesn't need to be taken apart or glass replaced. The silicone can be removed except for whats in between the panes. You can use GE I window and door silicone from WalMart, razor blades and plastic blade holder, painters tape and that should do it. That's about $12. It's well worth the practice sealing it if nothing else.

A guy that I know put a want ad for a tank on Freecycle the other day and got a 100g acrylic tank, stand and hood. PLUS their delivering it to him. Don't know what shape it's in yet but there is hope on Freecylcle.

[red devil]

By your footer it seems that you already have multi-tank syndrome. I think, unless you are independently wealthy, it always good to pick up as many skills as you can to make our hobby cheaper. I would suggest you try repairing them, even if it may not make financial sense, so that in the future, when you luck on that free 150 gallon dream tank for free you will know how to assess the condition yourself and will be in a better position to do the repairs yourself.