Not only do I envy you the 'new' tank, those books are a great find also. I'm always on the lookout for old aquarium related books too. I find them extremely helpful for the original pictures as well as the information they hold.
Antique cast iron "WATER QUEEN" restore. 1915 predates metaframe and jewel
- Thread starter 2rivers
- Start date
I NEED to see live pics of these before I start messen with rust. I saw one once i think with original paint,it was an old victorian bathroom,icky pale green lookin color. Im thinkin more like a pewter color. But thats why I started the thread I gotta find sum referance pics and I seem to be slow with intro-net surfin, So please people share pics, links, pics from books wahtever could give me a good idea of how they originaly looks.
Hi
Curiou s as to what holds the glass in place?? I've heard they used a type of putty. Would bet it almost impossible to find now?? Easy to see whay the aquarium hobby wasn't too popular or practicle .. Can you imagine what that cost in 1915 dollars?? When I was a kid a feed store had a large wrought iron goldfish tank that only two sides were glass others were slate. Rusted in front of your eyes lol Good luck with your restoration . Can't imagine what you'll do to combat rust??
Curiou s as to what holds the glass in place?? I've heard they used a type of putty. Would bet it almost impossible to find now?? Easy to see whay the aquarium hobby wasn't too popular or practicle .. Can you imagine what that cost in 1915 dollars?? When I was a kid a feed store had a large wrought iron goldfish tank that only two sides were glass others were slate. Rusted in front of your eyes lol Good luck with your restoration . Can't imagine what you'll do to combat rust??
I think they used something very similar to roofing tar...obviously you'd want to replace that with just good old black aquarium silicone. Personally I think Rustoleum black spraypaint would be a more practical choice and look more natural, cast iron should always be black in my book
No black silicone. They used the roofing tar cuz silicone doesn't adhere good enough to slate I guess and also the tar was meant to be resealable, If a leak appears U can heat the tar back up and it goops back into air pocket voids and seals itself. This is actually eassier than peeling ALL the silicone and starting over. Tip: Most old metaframes leaks can be quick fixed by heating up the tar and forgo the entire dismantle and rebuild process. U can still eassily get the black tar stuff in modern tubes,it is basically non-toxic roofing tar and this cast iron "POPs" in Pewter,I dont want any sheen/shine but Pewter looks way meant ta be. U wouldn't as eassily notice thee ornate detail in black
and this cast iron "POPs" in Pewter,I dont want any sheen/shine but Pewter looks way meant ta be. U wouldn't as eassily notice thee ornate detail in blackAsphaltum is the product that was used for sealing a lot of things.
If you want to keep the value up, don't restore it. Oil it to stop the rusting. Use some stick on felt pads to cushion the bottom so it won't scratch furniture. Stick something else collectible inside and use it for a display.
If you do want to restore it, take a look at this one.
If you want to keep the value up, don't restore it. Oil it to stop the rusting. Use some stick on felt pads to cushion the bottom so it won't scratch furniture. Stick something else collectible inside and use it for a display.
If you do want to restore it, take a look at this one.
I intend on restoreN this with the help of my gs's Father. Awesome project for me ta get him on my side with aquaria, he's a body shop type mech. all his life and ol fish guru from way back. By selling this idea to him correctly, buttering them up with the piece's uniqueness and value I will be getting my way in all ways around aswell. They currently live ina giant old house surrounded by antiques that would make fora great final spot ta show it completed,plus Im always there eatten there food and dont realy have the room for it where I live/rent. I ultimitly would like ta see it Filled with my dark jungle stye planted ta the max aquascapes witha branchy log that pokes out the top covered in moss and houseplant wrapped around the pertrudeN log and mb sum shrimp& killies. If I can document this well enough with tons of pics and good informative reaserch it could poss. make a neat lil article if TFH is interested I want this thing filled with water
I want this thing filled with water
Shows you how much I know...I didn't think the tar was available any longer, or that they made anything like it in a non-toxic form! Good luck with it
An article sounds like a great idea. Pics are going to be kind of limited in a printed magazine where space is tight. I'd maybe be pitching it to an online magazine such as The Conscientious Aquarist: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_5/volume_5_3/Author_Inst.htm
An article sounds like a great idea. Pics are going to be kind of limited in a printed magazine where space is tight. I'd maybe be pitching it to an online magazine such as The Conscientious Aquarist: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_5/volume_5_3/Author_Inst.htm
