Tank longevity

kevin_e · 06/16/2018, 10:57 AM

So I have had a 46 bow-front for probably 18-20 years now. It's been running in a climate controlled house for the full length of time, so the silicon wasn't exposed to summer and winter heating. At what point should I consider replacing the aquarium?

mcgyvr · 06/16/2018, 01:48 PM

Depending on the brand silicone can last 50 years or more..
But there are many variables..
20 years seems long enough to me though...

kevin_e · 06/17/2018, 12:20 AM

Thanks. The last thing I want is for something to blow out. The silicon is pretty jagged from years on cleaning. It was just a standard Petsmart tank, whatever brand they sold at the time

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billdogg · 06/17/2018, 05:51 AM

My 60g cube was set up for 22 years and was still perfectly sound when I got rid of it to make room for a 120. My 150 long was up for about 8 years, then spent 7 more in the unheated garage while I finished the basement and got ready for it. It then went another 8 or so as a home for my Eel before I sold it. I also sold a 120 at the same time that was at least 30 years strong.

As long as it has been taken care of, I don't see any reason why most tanks can't last for decades.

jezzeaepi · 06/17/2018, 05:05 PM

Every tank seems fine until suddenly it isnt. 20 years sounds like a good run to me. You might get another 10 years, you might not. You are certainly in the "over the hill" years of the tank.

Gatorfan · 06/17/2018, 10:39 PM

Just sold a 120 that was built in 1996. I ran it for 6 years, had no seam issues when I took it down.

AlSimmons · 06/18/2018, 10:12 AM

I had a couple 50 gallon freshwater tanks that were set up for about 25 years or so without any problems. My current 20 gallon reef tank is about 10 years old and it's still going strong. If I was to take this tank down and replace it with a new one who's to say that I'll get 10 years out of that? Bad apples are kind of hard to spot.

kevin_e · 07/12/2018, 05:39 PM

True. Thanks for the inputs. I'll keep it up for now.

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06/16/2018, 10:57 AM	#1
kevin_e Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,083	Tank longevity So I have had a 46 bow-front for probably 18-20 years now. It's been running in a climate controlled house for the full length of time, so the silicon wasn't exposed to summer and winter heating. At what point should I consider replacing the aquarium?

06/16/2018, 01:48 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Depending on the brand silicone can last 50 years or more.. But there are many variables.. 20 years seems long enough to me though... __________________ Who me?

06/17/2018, 05:51 AM	#4
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	My 60g cube was set up for 22 years and was still perfectly sound when I got rid of it to make room for a 120. My 150 long was up for about 8 years, then spent 7 more in the unheated garage while I finished the basement and got ready for it. It then went another 8 or so as a home for my Eel before I sold it. I also sold a 120 at the same time that was at least 30 years strong. As long as it has been taken care of, I don't see any reason why most tanks can't last for decades. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

06/17/2018, 10:39 PM	#6
Gatorfan Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 533	Just sold a 120 that was built in 1996. I ran it for 6 years, had no seam issues when I took it down. __________________ 120 gallon, MP20, AquaMaxx Q2, AI SOL Blue(x2) Coral Beauty Angel, Regal Angel, Potters Angel, pair of Occ. Clowns, Tomini Tang. Started 6/9/2012

06/17/2018, 12:20 AM	#3
kevin_e Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,083	Thanks. The last thing I want is for something to blow out. The silicon is pretty jagged from years on cleaning. It was just a standard Petsmart tank, whatever brand they sold at the time Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

06/17/2018, 05:05 PM	#5
jezzeaepi Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Seattle, Wa Posts: 385	Every tank seems fine until suddenly it isnt. 20 years sounds like a good run to me. You might get another 10 years, you might not. You are certainly in the "over the hill" years of the tank.

06/18/2018, 10:12 AM	#7
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	I had a couple 50 gallon freshwater tanks that were set up for about 25 years or so without any problems. My current 20 gallon reef tank is about 10 years old and it's still going strong. If I was to take this tank down and replace it with a new one who's to say that I'll get 10 years out of that? Bad apples are kind of hard to spot.

07/12/2018, 05:39 PM	#8
kevin_e Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,083	True. Thanks for the inputs. I'll keep it up for now. Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk