Lifespan of a glass tank?

[elweshomayor]

So I was watching videos on youtube from this guy named JoeyDIY. He states that the lifespan of a glass aquarium on average is around 10 years, before it needs resealing.

My tank being 8-9 years old, I am nearing that age. If true, Im concerned of having 150 gallons of water in the carpet. ( not to mention everything else around the house.

Is there any truth to this? and is there ways to prevent a tank explosion. (as much as possible).
Things such as tale signs and things to look for when doing regular maintenance.
So far my tank has no leaks, so thats good.
Also when he said resealing, does that mean having to disassemble tank completely and redoing the silicone? (truthfully, if i have to empty tank, I rather just buy a bigger tank )

Has any of you had larger tanks running without needing to, or even suspecting to need resealing for longer than 10 years?

[scuzy]

I've seen glass tanks that's like 25 years old. I have had a 150 that's like 15 and some 20 gallons at 20 years. I say they can last longer. But you cab tell when the seams starts to show bubbles means the silicone is giving to pressure.


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[alton]

10 years is not correct

[ca1ore]

First, don't listen to anything anybody says on youtube unless you 'vet' them first. Too many folks who don't know what they are talking about. Second, usable lifetime on a tank depends a lot on how well it was made. I ran a custom glass tank from 1990 to 2008,then sold it and as far as I know it is still in operation today. But it was really well made. Not sure I'd push a mass-market tank that far, but I'm sure there are many that have lasted 20 years. Often tanks have bubbles in the seams from day one, so its changes you have to look for. Third, re-sealing may be all the rage, but it's structurally useless. If a tank begins to show signs of failure, you have to completely disassemble and rebuild it. Not for the fainthearted.

[Clavius78]

My tank celebrates its 10th birthday somewhere this year. I wasn't worrying about it until I saw this thread. LOL!

[anbosu]

I would be willing to bet there is a higher percentage of failures from people re-sealing tanks than from factory finished aquariums on proper stands.

[FishN00b83]

I'm not sure about the 10 year bit, especially when AGA and Marineland have Limited Lifetime Warranties.

I don't even want to think about transferring a 15 year old SPS 180 to a new box. Where do you even begin?!

[Elricsfate]

Originally Posted by ca1ore

First, don't listen to anything anybody says on youtube unless you 'vet' them first. Too many folks who don't know what they are talking about. Second, usable lifetime on a tank depends a lot on how well it was made. I ran a custom glass tank from 1990 to 2008,then sold it and as far as I know it is still in operation today. But it was really well made. Not sure I'd push a mass-market tank that far, but I'm sure there are many that have lasted 20 years. Often tanks have bubbles in the seams from day one, so its changes you have to look for. Third, re-sealing may be all the rage, but it's structurally useless. If a tank begins to show signs of failure, you have to completely disassemble and rebuild it. Not for the fainthearted.

In fairness, the guy he is talking about is well known in the hobby, well respected, and teaches people how to build everything under the sun (including tanks). So it's unlikely he falls under the "doesn't know what he's talking about" column. He may be wrong, but he's not an idiot. And...he also may not be wrong. The fact that one, or two, or a thousand people have tanks older then 10 years, doesn't mean that "the average" lifespan for a tank is not...10 years.

[elweshomayor]

Originally Posted by ca1ore

First, don't listen to anything anybody says on youtube unless you 'vet' them first. Too many folks who don't know what they are talking about. Second, usable lifetime on a tank depends a lot on how well it was made. I ran a custom glass tank from 1990 to 2008,then sold it and as far as I know it is still in operation today. But it was really well made. Not sure I'd push a mass-market tank that far, but I'm sure there are many that have lasted 20 years. Often tanks have bubbles in the seams from day one, so its changes you have to look for. Third, re-sealing may be all the rage, but it's structurally useless. If a tank begins to show signs of failure, you have to completely disassemble and rebuild it. Not for the fainthearted.

I was reading that algae growth is also a sign. My tank has just ripped silicone from the sides from when i use the scraper but they arent all the way to the glass.

I wonder if anyone has a picture reference to see what the actual bubbles looks like lol ( i.e. like ich, but bubbles and on silicone? lol)

[elweshomayor]

Originally Posted by Clavius78

My tank celebrates its 10th birthday somewhere this year. I wasn't worrying about it until I saw this thread. LOL!

I wasnt either. I just really enjoy watching JoeyDYI and he had that ONE video. Being the worry wart about my tank that I am... Ofcourse I had to confirm with reef central lol

[elweshomayor]

Originally Posted by Elricsfate

In fairness, the guy he is talking about is well known in the hobby, well respected, and teaches people how to build everything under the sun (including tanks). So it's unlikely he falls under the "doesn't know what he's talking about" column. He may be wrong, but he's not an idiot. And...he also may not be wrong. The fact that one, or two, or a thousand people have tanks older then 10 years, doesn't mean that "the average" lifespan for a tank is not...10 years.

Yeah, this guy is supposed to be an expert in building tanks and has given multiple talks at reef conferences.

[elweshomayor]

Originally Posted by FishN00b83

I'm not sure about the 10 year bit, especially when AGA and Marineland have Limited Lifetime Warranties.

I don't even want to think about transferring a 15 year old SPS 180 to a new box. Where do you even begin?!

You get a 220 and go from there

[Sk8r]

I suspect glass thickness, ergo stress, may have something to do with that. Tank glass that's around half an inch thick doesn't give much under the typical load it contains.

[vashawn]

My 300 was purchase new, now going on to 6-7 years and i have nightmares about waking to a flooded LR.

[ca1ore]

Originally Posted by Elricsfate

In fairness, the guy he is talking about is well known in the hobby, well respected, and teaches people how to build everything under the sun (including tanks). So it's unlikely he falls under the "doesn't know what he's talking about" column. He may be wrong, but he's not an idiot. And...he also may not be wrong. The fact that one, or two, or a thousand people have tanks older then 10 years, doesn't mean that "the average" lifespan for a tank is not...10 years.

Did you read what I wrote I said one should 'vet' youtubers and I didn't say he was an idiot - I don't do youtube so no clue who this guy is. Though anyone who advocates 'resealing' (if that is in fact what he even said)has a fundamental misunderstanding of how tanks are built and is immediately 'suspect' in my eyes.

It also depends on what one means by average lifespan. It's not necessarily the same as usable lifetime. If average lifespan includes foolish aquarists, loss of interest, etc., then the average 'lifespan' of a tank is probably much less than 10 years.

[ca1ore]

Originally Posted by elweshomayor

Yeah, this guy is supposed to be an expert in building tanks and has given multiple talks at reef conferences.

I am a cynic and a skeptic - and have been keeping reef tanks since 1988. All I am saying is be skeptical. Just because somebody speaks at conferences, doesn't necessarily mean he or she really knows what they are talking about. I know, because I speak at conferences

[Joe0813]

I have a 180 marineland..... it's 4 years old now.. I think, I hope it doesn't have a 10 year lifespan

[Elricsfate]

Originally Posted by ca1ore

I am a cynic and a skeptic - and have been keeping reef tanks since 1988. All I am saying is be skeptical. Just because somebody speaks at conferences, doesn't necessarily mean he or she really knows what they are talking about. I know, because I speak at conferences

lol

And here you make a valid point, that at the same time, invalidates the suggestion that we "vet" someone. How would I do that?

I hear about a guy, so I say, "Hey, ca1ore, have you heard of this guy?" You say, "Yeah, he's top notch, knows what's up!" But then...I have no idea if YOU know what's up. So I ask Sk8r. He vouches for you...but who vouches for him? lol In the end, unless you already know the topic inside and out...or you slept in a Holiday Inn Express last night, it's really hard to know who to believe and who not to believe.

You end up just kinda taking the majority suggestion, trying it for yourself, and going with what you have directly observed working. Or maybe that's just me...

[Elricsfate]

Originally Posted by ca1ore

Did you read what I wrote I said one should 'vet' youtubers and I didn't say he was an idiot - I don't do youtube so no clue who this guy is.

He's "The King of DIY".

You really should check out YouTube. It's an excellent resource.

[Kevin Guthrie]

1st I've heard after 35 years in this hobby that tanks have lifespans. Seems to me that they fail in the first year or two or not at all. Mine is fine after almost 20 years. Only leakers I've had did so within a year of moving them.

[Potatohead]

Originally Posted by ca1ore

Did you read what I wrote I said one should 'vet' youtubers and I didn't say he was an idiot - I don't do youtube so no clue who this guy is. Though anyone who advocates 'resealing' (if that is in fact what he even said)has a fundamental misunderstanding of how tanks are built and is immediately 'suspect' in my eyes.

It also depends on what one means by average lifespan. It's not necessarily the same as usable lifetime. If average lifespan includes foolish aquarists, loss of interest, etc., then the average 'lifespan' of a tank is probably much less than 10 years.

The guy has quite literally built many huge tanks, DIY'd them all, and has them all in his home. Glass, acrylic, even plywood.

I watched this video a couple weeks ago. He did say reseal but then immediately after said, to do it properly it needs to be completely disassembled and redone.

It starts about 4:20 in this video;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6P1shpEO8s&t=450s

[elweshomayor]

Originally Posted by Potatohead

The guy has quite literally built many huge tanks, DIY'd them all, and has them all in his home. Glass, acrylic, even plywood.

I watched this video a couple weeks ago. He did say reseal but then immediately after said, to do it properly it needs to be completely disassembled and redone.

It starts about 4:20 in this video;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6P1shpEO8s&t=450s

Thanks! i was looking for the video that he said that on but I forgot which one it was lol I've been binge watching his videos.

Now i want to breed Discus and have a fish room! lol

[CrayolaViolence]

Picked up a few used tanks a while back. the could not have been a day less than forty. The glass was like old cola bottles (yes that green) and frosted. Still held water, still were sound. I'd be more concerned with a tank that sat around dry, than one that had existed full of water. Also where/how the item was stored would make a big difference too.

[ericp351]

Ask @Paul B. I think his glass box has been up since like 1979.

[Scubabum]

25 years with my Oceanic 58 gallon. No leaks. Knock on wood.