How long do tanks usually last?

[anaconda]

Anyone know how long the tanks usually last before they start leaking?

My tank about 3 years old was thinking if I should change a new tank . Trying to avoid the situation where by it leaks floods the house

[hellomyfriend]

Depends on the wear and tear of it and whether is it made of higher grade or lower grade glass?

Just my humble opinion

[Nicky]

I think glass quality, a major factor to determine clarity and color, is the least of a concern when comes to leakages.
A low quality glass or unsuitably thin glass (relative to size of tanks and amount of water it holds) will create problem even for new tank by bursting or exploding.

Age will affect the silicon or whatever that's holding the glass panels together. Leaks, if any, will always happen at the joint, never from the glass panel.

[stormhawk]

I had a 3ft tank that lasted me for 10 years, along with the stand. I changed it in the end, because the stand was rusting bad, and the tank did not fit my needs at the time. It was fairly old so to speak and the silicone joints were looking old and worn out. Like what Nicky said, the quality of the glass, the age of the silicone is all factors to think about. With proper care, I reckon a tank can last nearly forever.

Since your tank is 3 years old, look for obvious signs of leakage, or any tear in the silicone joints or possible cracks on the glass. If you don't find anything suspicious then I guess you don't really need to change your tank.

[sungod666]

i had a custom made 2 ft that lasted me 10 years! for my main tank, there is a lifetime guarantee for leak. made by Coral Reef Aquarium in their Eunos factory.. i expect it to go 15 years before i experience any leaks. As for scratching, that is more of a concern. some stupid mistake on your part and you just got to live with it.

Most of my tanks are over 5 years and none leaked.

[merciwash]

My dad's 2ft lasted 20 years and my neighbour 3ft lasted 30 years but their tank got the aluminium L bar at the side.

[stormhawk]

Those are old school tanks. I still have one of these reinforced brace tanks.

[merciwash]

Ya i still got one of those reinforced brace tanks until now still ok.

[TOFU]

I think it really depends? More then 5 years

[Shadow]

My 3ft CADE only last a year before air bubble forming in the silicon glue the whole length of the tank

[BillD]

I have the first tank I ever built, in the mid 60s, still in use and has never leaked. I believe it is at least 44 years old.

[stormhawk]

Wow, that's amazing BillD. How long did it take you to build the tank?

Shadow, that's probably a sign of shoddy workmanship. CADE tanks come with excellent glass, but if the silicone used is not good enough or the workmanship is poor, it's as good as a cheap tank with less optimum glass clarity.

[felix_fx2]

Those are old school tanks. I still have one of these reinforced brace tanks.

You make me miss my dad's tank that I threw at the time I started planted. Confirm more then 13 years old. I was still in sec 1 that time, now I'm like 30+

[stormhawk]

I kept my old aluminium brace tank because of nostalgia. Now it's just my storage box in the kitchen.

[Shadow]

Shadow, that's probably a sign of shoddy workmanship. CADE tanks come with excellent glass, but if the silicone used is not good enough or the workmanship is poor, it's as good as a cheap tank with less optimum glass clarity.

Yeah agree. Now a days I was thinking whether those minimum silicon worth the risk or not .

[felix_fx2]

It was my storage box before flowerhorn craze.

[stormhawk]

I feel those tanks with minimal silicone sealant is not worth the risk. Too thin and you run the risk of the sealant giving way under the weight of the substrate and water. Too thick and it looks ugly. I guess minimal sealant is probably okay with smaller tanks 2ft and below, but with bigger tanks, simply not worth it.

Aesthetics aside, the fish tank should last a fish keeper an entire lifetime if the workmanship was excellent and the silicone is in good shape. The fact that those aluminium braced tanks from the 80s-90s are still around and in good shape even at the LFSes means that they are testament to their durability. I've heard of a horror story involving a brand new Ocean Free tank that had a faulty bottom glass piece which gave way when the owner was just rinsing it. Whether this is true or not, I have no idea but as with all things, a buyer should check the silicone seal to see if there's any trapped air bubbles or visible tears before purchasing.

[BillD]

Well built tanks have minimal silicone. If you were to see hoe nice the inner seals on a Miracles tank is you would be very surprised. The silicone is black and the seam is not much more than 5 or 6 mm with no smearing or unevenness.
Add a large amount of silicone to the inside of a tank is not a good idea as it is difficult to get a nice clean feathered edge if the silicone is too thick. As well, a properly built tank will hold water even without the inner seal.

[KITTY]

how to determine if the tank has no bubbles? i just bought a crystal tank with minimal silicon and when i pour in, there are air bubbles in the water near the edges..is it meaning that tank symptoms of leak r it just because the water has bubbles . ?

[BFG]

Tank will have bubbles when there is water added. What you do not want in this case is for bubbles forming inside the silicone itself.