Buying a Used tank...

D

Denellum

Premium Member
About to be upgrading my tank to a 100 gal. My only worry, is the guy that's selling me the tank states that it has a simi deep scratch, i went out and took a look at it, and the scratch looks like a scratch but its kind of deep, as in my fingernail can get caught. One, how do i verify this is a scratch and not a crack?

I also want to note that the "scratch" isnt even 1/4 the way through the glass

Also anyone know anyone in the area that repairs tanks like this if it is a crack?


Thanks as always guys!
 
@Denellum wrote:
About to be upgrading my tank to a 100 gal. My only worry said:
Is the scratch located anywhere near the edges or the silicone?

If not, a scratch that can catch your fingernail is usually just a cosmetic issue. It'll really only be noticeable if algae is allowed to creep in there. But you have me scared when you say it "isn't even 1/4 of the way through the glass"... something that I would consider a "scratch" would be measured in fractions of a millimeter, and not a (fairly large) fraction of the glass's entire depth. It's starting to sound less like a scratch and more like a chunk missing. Do you have pictures?

If there's even a question that it's a crack and not a simple scratch, I'd pass on the tank. Repairing it wouldn't be cost/time/aesthetically effective. Large tanks of that volume pop up on this forum all the time. If you've got doubts, I'd suggest waiting it out.

But that's just, like, my opinion, man.
Click to expand...
 
1st question is ... are you willing to risk thousands of dollars, years of work and the life of the animals you want to preserve?

There is too big a difference between a minor surface scratch which I personally would not be concerned about and a deep score (which is what this sounds like) that will definitely affect the strength and integrity of the aquarium.

Not sure I would *trust* a fix.... others may have greater knowledge on this or even experience.

Just my 2 cents ... I would rather see you wait for a good tank and great deal to come along rather than get burned by the purchase someone else' problem (the scar will always be there).
 
I bought my tank with a couple scratches that only show when algae builds up. Other then that you can't see them unless your close to it.


Sent from pay phone in the airport.
 
I agree with the others. Scratches that can catch your nail start at about 3 millimeters. If your nail just catches a second then it's probably about 10mm or so but if your nail gets caught in it then um.... If you're talking fractions of INCHES then it's probably not a scratch. If it is a crack, and you wanted to repair it, they would drill a hole at the ends of the crack and inject it with an epoxy resin, just like they do car windshields. This "repair" is only temporary. It will fracture again.

There is no reason to buy a tank that is questionable imo. Tanks come along quite frequently, especially this size, and at great prices. The cost of the tank really isn't the expensive part of this hobby so trying to force yourself into a questionable tank because it's a great "deal" is never good!! IF you did get an "amazing" deal on it....like free, and it was a crack, I would replace that pane of glass. That thickness of glass could be fairly inexpensive.
 
Thank you all for all of your replies. I found a different tank, more expensive, but i wont have this headache.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top