How long will a glass aquarium last?

tang named junkyard · 01/13/2012, 07:50 PM

I just realized I've had mine for almost 10 years. Is there anything to look for when they fail or do they just let go? whats' the lifespan of silicon? It doesn't look like there's much silicon on the inside of the tank anymore. Maybe from years of cleaning.

syrinx · 01/13/2012, 07:59 PM

If it is filled and maintaied- indefinatly. I have tanks I care for that were started in the
60s- metalframe tanks even. I have a ten gallon I got in 70 that is still fine, and has been wet and dry dozens of times. Likely the older the tank- the likely stronger the build- at least pre late 80s. Silicone would have to be seen to be judged- and that can happen to a new tank with a razor scraper and a few beers.

NatureNerd · 01/13/2012, 08:29 PM

A long, long time... My dad had a freshwater tank for 25 years. My reef has been setup for 16 years. It is as good as new except some annoying scratches that accumulate over time. No where near as bad as an acrylic tank but, they can't easily be buffed out. This is the reason/excuse for me starting to look to an upgrade.

Psirex · 01/13/2012, 08:32 PM

my tank is 12 years old a fe scratches but nothing major....

James77 · 01/13/2012, 08:37 PM

Decades. But i'd keep an eye on any areas that show significant wear and tear.

Palting · 01/13/2012, 11:29 PM

PaulB has tank that just celebrated it's 40th year of continuous running.

fishflorist · 01/14/2012, 12:53 AM

if the tank is well glued, I think it will last another 10 year no problem.

doctorgori · 01/14/2012, 01:47 AM

I recently had a O'Dell 20L that was from the early 80's
...my cousin had a 55G w a Ebo Jaeger heater and Aquaclear filter from the late 70's

billdogg · 01/14/2012, 05:17 AM

the 120 i use as a fuge on my 150 was ancient when I got it around 1990. my new tank was put in service in 1992.

Paris_Wiley · 01/14/2012, 08:28 AM

I know of several people that have had multiple freshwater glass tanks for over 20 years with no problems at all (at least related to the tank itself).

KafudaFish · 01/14/2012, 11:04 AM

2 55 tanks from '86.
O'Dell

One of the 55 is in my daughter's room no issue.

The other was my sump for a while and the Dell I don't use much because of the scratched glass but the silicone is sound.

Serenade · 07/12/2016, 05:15 PM

I was just wondering this same thing today as my current reef is being revived. It's a 55 gal I got in middle school 30 years ago it's gone through 1 stand about 15 years ago. I'm trying to decide if I should replace it before I go any further. It's never been moved except once to replace the stand. It's been salt for 25 years and fresh for 5 before that. It's been in constant use since the day I bought it. Any suggestions?
If I upgrade I only have room for no more than 50 inches long and 16 to 18 wide. Height luckily isn't an issue.

Timfish · 07/12/2016, 06:43 PM

I was comparing experiences a few years ago with a friend of mine who has managed a pet shop for over 38 years and we were guessing about a 10% failure rate at the 20 year mark with glass. They have one 200 display tank and a several 55s that were there when she started working there. But I have seen reputable tanks fail long before then. And like Srynx said the silicone would have to be seen to be judged. Certainly new air bubbles or changes in color would be reasons for concern. Algae working it's way into the joints between the glass would be keeping me up at night. Ironically, some of the cheaper tanks where the plastic trim around the top and bottom is used as a jig to hold the glass in place may hold up better as the plastic frame has to fail as well as the silicone joint to see a catastrophic spill.

01/13/2012, 07:50 PM	#1
tang named junkyard Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: bakersfield Posts: 1,185	How long will a glass aquarium last? I just realized I've had mine for almost 10 years. Is there anything to look for when they fail or do they just let go? whats' the lifespan of silicon? It doesn't look like there's much silicon on the inside of the tank anymore. Maybe from years of cleaning.

01/13/2012, 08:29 PM	#3
NatureNerd Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 879	A long, long time... My dad had a freshwater tank for 25 years. My reef has been setup for 16 years. It is as good as new except some annoying scratches that accumulate over time. No where near as bad as an acrylic tank but, they can't easily be buffed out. This is the reason/excuse for me starting to look to an upgrade. __________________ Reef tanks since 1987. Current tank: 75g SPS dominated reef tank set up in 1996

01/13/2012, 08:32 PM	#4
Psirex Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 1,929	my tank is 12 years old a fe scratches but nothing major.... __________________ SALINITY NOW....

01/13/2012, 08:37 PM	#5
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,273	Decades. But i'd keep an eye on any areas that show significant wear and tear. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g SPS and 75g Planted

01/13/2012, 11:29 PM	#6
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	PaulB has tank that just celebrated it's 40th year of continuous running. __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

01/13/2012, 07:59 PM	#2
syrinx Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: champaign Posts: 3,152	If it is filled and maintaied- indefinatly. I have tanks I care for that were started in the 60s- metalframe tanks even. I have a ten gallon I got in 70 that is still fine, and has been wet and dry dozens of times. Likely the older the tank- the likely stronger the build- at least pre late 80s. Silicone would have to be seen to be judged- and that can happen to a new tank with a razor scraper and a few beers.

01/14/2012, 12:53 AM	#7
fishflorist CANNOT SPEAK ENGLISH Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: PRC Posts: 452	if the tank is well glued, I think it will last another 10 year no problem. __________________ Louis I do not speak English well , please kindly give your patience to my wordy posts try to understand my words ... if there is anything wrong in my words , do not take offence because what you see may be not my true meanings.

01/14/2012, 01:47 AM	#8
doctorgori Moved On Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Simon Bar-Sinistar Posts: 1,108	I recently had a O'Dell 20L that was from the early 80's ...my cousin had a 55G w a Ebo Jaeger heater and Aquaclear filter from the late 70's

01/14/2012, 05:17 AM	#9
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 9,788	the 120 i use as a fuge on my 150 was ancient when I got it around 1990. my new tank was put in service in 1992. __________________ 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, ASM G2 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, no skimmer (yet)

01/14/2012, 08:28 AM	#10
Paris_Wiley Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Tampa, Fl Posts: 90	I know of several people that have had multiple freshwater glass tanks for over 20 years with no problems at all (at least related to the tank itself).

01/14/2012, 11:04 AM	#11
KafudaFish Cyprinius carpio Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 4,486	2 55 tanks from '86. O'Dell One of the 55 is in my daughter's room no issue. The other was my sump for a while and the Dell I don't use much because of the scratched glass but the silicone is sound.

07/12/2016, 05:15 PM	#12
Serenade Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 4	I was just wondering this same thing today as my current reef is being revived. It's a 55 gal I got in middle school 30 years ago it's gone through 1 stand about 15 years ago. I'm trying to decide if I should replace it before I go any further. It's never been moved except once to replace the stand. It's been salt for 25 years and fresh for 5 before that. It's been in constant use since the day I bought it. Any suggestions? If I upgrade I only have room for no more than 50 inches long and 16 to 18 wide. Height luckily isn't an issue.

07/12/2016, 06:43 PM	#13
Timfish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,588	I was comparing experiences a few years ago with a friend of mine who has managed a pet shop for over 38 years and we were guessing about a 10% failure rate at the 20 year mark with glass. They have one 200 display tank and a several 55s that were there when she started working there. But I have seen reputable tanks fail long before then. And like Srynx said the silicone would have to be seen to be judged. Certainly new air bubbles or changes in color would be reasons for concern. Algae working it's way into the joints between the glass would be keeping me up at night. Ironically, some of the cheaper tanks where the plastic trim around the top and bottom is used as a jig to hold the glass in place may hold up better as the plastic frame has to fail as well as the silicone joint to see a catastrophic spill. __________________ "Our crystal clear aquaria come nowhere close to the nutrient loads that swirl around natural reefs" Charles Delbeek