Just got a free 55 gallon tank and stand, Now what?

DAVIDFBT

DAVIDFBT

Extinct? Since when?
Feb 3, 2008
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Great Lakes, Illinois
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Definitely not David
Hello everybody, today me and my brother went to go pick up a 55 gallon tank and stand for free. (Don't you just love craigslist?) The dude gave me a 200 watt heater, an air pump from 1492, and a faded out background. He also said it had a leak in it and that was the reason why he gave it away. The tank looks like it was 20 years old and the sealant on it is about 1/4 of an inch thick and doesn't look very strong. I also noticed it has no center brace, this could be because it's so old and back then, glass was very cheap and the glass is about 1/2 inch thick on it.

I basically have 3 questions:

1. Is resealing a tank as hard as it sounds? I have the tank full on a concrete patio to test for leaks, but I accidentally splashed some water out so I don't know if the water is from leaks or the splash. I'll have to check it out in the morning.

2. Will having no center brace on the tank be bad for it? The tank only bows out about 1/8 of an inch on both sides in the middle, so I don't think it's an issue.

3. Does this stocking sound good to you? 15 Neons, 20 Cherry Shrimp, 8 Amano Shrimp, 8 Kuhli Loaches, 6 Rummy Nose Tetras, 6 Panda Cories, 5 Bamboo Shrimp, 1 Bristlenose Pleco, 6 Otos, 2 Bolivian Rams, and 1 Blue Gourami.

Of course I'll let the tank cycle with used filter media and let the algea build up before adding the Otos or the BN Pleco. The tank will be Moderately to heavily planted with a 2 inch pool filter sand bottom.

Thanks.
 
The only thing I can really comment on confidently is #3.... a Blue Gourami and the Rams will eventually feast on shrimp. Otos should always go in well after the tank has been running IMO.

#2 sounds like a disaster waiting to happen... any warping of the tank ay compromise it's integrity.

At any rate, here's a bump for more specific advice hopefully.
 
if i were you i'd get another peice of glass to use a brace and stick that on the tank while you are resealing it anyways. i've only had to do a small repair job before but it wasn't too hard. be sure to use the right stuff. i got mine from the pet store just to be safe. i cleaned around the area really well with nail polish remover to make sure it stuck well and then just blobed some on. not the most professional job but it seems to be holding...lol... good luck and have fun.
 
All right then, I''ll silicone a 3 inch wide piece of thick glass to the inner frame and paint it black so that people would be able to see it when feeding the fish when I can't do it. Should I put one at the bottom too? Would 1/2 inch be thick enough?
 
Congrats on the freebie.

Old 55g with thick glass don't need a center brace. Resealing is not too hard but you have to make ALL of the old silicone is off. I use a razor blade or 2 & rubbing alcohol not nail polish remover, there is silcone helping to hold the tank together you don't want to mess up. Take your time, it's not for the impatient.

You also need to apply the new silicone all at once, taping off near the seams will help. Search resealing old tanks on AC for more details.
 
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I'd be a little leary about rehabbing a beat up 20 year old tank. If it were me I'd just get a new tank and enjoy the other freebies.
 
I would say that you would be very wise to put in a centre brace. Even with the thicker glass, if it is bowing that is not good. Especially with all that pressure on it constantly.

The type of silicon to use is the stuff for glass. Ensure that is says 100% silicon. Some silicon contains poison to kill mould and mildew. It will also kill fish. Make sure you don't get the one with this wonderful additive. The right stuff is not that hard to find.

New silicon does not stick to old silicon. ALL the old stuff must be removed.

Your stocking seems fine.
 
I have found the leak, it's in the bottom back corner. If I want to seal just that corner, would I have to take out all of the silicone from the tank? As in not just the corner, but everywhere on the tank.
 
I've removed all of the old silicone and will now wipe down the edges with rubing alcohol and then I will reseal the tank.

I've noticed that since the glass is extra thick and it's old, looking through the tank, I can see a bluish tint through the glass. Is this normal, and will it go awya after I set up some lights on the inside of the tank?
 
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