Should I use this tank?

Question

Hi everyone! :) I recently just got a tank off of craigslist (love this site) and It is very big, like 55gal. I am nervous because it is a big tank and I don't know how old it is so I don't want the glass to break and then spill the water & everything in it out. What do I do? I have had smaller tanks like 20 gal but I am nervous about a bigger tank! Is there any precaution things I can do? Or is there something I can put on it? Any advice would be helpful! Thanks!

Answer 1

Take it outside, on the driveway or in your yard.  Fill it up with like you'd be setting up your tank, with all the bottom rocks and water.  Cover it so less water is lost from evaporation and check the water levels over the course of a week.  If you don't have significant water loss, it should be fine.  Break it down, move it inside, and proceed to cycle it properly before stocking.  This will give you plenty of time to check it out before risking your fish's lives.

Answer 2

fill it with water and leave it for like 2 weeks, if it doesn't break then it should be fine. just watch it for any drips and what not.

Answer 3

well the best thing to do would be, take it outside on a flat surface and take a garden hose and fill it up just like you would to put fish in it. leave it sit for about a day just to be sure, if you notice that the water has went down alot! or if you see that the water is comming out then the tank is bad, if not the tank should be perfectly fine for your pets!

Answer 4

a 55 gallon tank is pretty safe. If you can't see any cracks in it, you're fine. I've bought dozens of them used and never ever seen a single tank have any problems. As someone else said, put it in the basement or outside and fill it with water for a couple weeks if you like, but the glues used to construct the tanks are such that if they're the weak point they'll leak first, they won't just give. If the glass has issues it will show cracks first, if you don't see any cracks and it has no leaks it's absolutely safe. I understand your conscerns, I was the same way the first time I got a 100 gallon, but trust the technology :)

Answer 5

No matter how old the tank is you wont have any problems with glass breaking. You might have problems with It leaking  becuase the sealent might have aged.

Answer 6

Fill it up outside so you can see if there are any leaks. If the joints leak you can fix it with silicone sealant- just be sure to buy one made for aquariums. I wouldn't really worry too much about the glass, unles you can see cracks already. Good luck with your tank!