cracked bottom

[leaffish75]

I have the oppurtunity to buy a 75 gallon tank with a cracked bottom for cheap. Would it be worth buying it and replacing the bottom? I have some one who can replace it if i buy the materials.

[JimD]

How cheap?

[leaffish75]

this tank is only $30. untempered 1/2 glass 48x18 is $48+tax

thats a good price for his tank but im about 5hrs from austin

[JimD]

If you plan on a reef tank, Id go with a tempered bottom, lotta weight with all the rock n stuff. Id really just save up and get one that is already in one piece. You can probably find a used tank for nearly the same price, $80

[gjuarez]

yup, if you do a search for 75 gallons you will find plenty in the for sale forum. A couple of weeks ago there was a lot of 75 for sale. YOu cant beat 250 for captexas's 75. THe stand and canopy will cost you that much if not more.

[Polkster13]

Let's say you buy the tank and are able to get it fixed. Then one day, the bottom cracks again (should have put tempered glass in the bottom) and the salt water drains out all over your floor. Now your floors are ruined (unless it is plain old concrete) and everything in your tanks dies. This happens right after you go to work (always happens at the most inopertune time) and so when you get home the house reeks of dead fish smell. This will cost you thousands of dollars to cleanup. The insurance may or may not cover it. There is also the deductable to consider.

You may think you are saving money and getting a great deal but what you are buying is a nightmare wiating to happen. Don't do it! If you cannot afford the tank now (which will be one of your least expensive purchases) then you should really consider if you have the means (the money) to get into this hobby.

[leaffish75]

question - why do people tell me that when im looking for a tank try to find one with a untempered bottom.

[Polkster13]

If you want to drill a tank, then the glass needs to be plain glass. Temered glass is plain glass that has been reheated and when it shatters, it breaks into small rounded pieces instead of long jagged pieces. Tempering glass is a safety issue. It is very difficult to drill glass after it has been tempered and will void any warranty on the aquarium if you do that.

So if you are going to but a tank and drill it yourself, you need to drill the glass that is not tempered (which usually means just the sides - you have to check with the manufacturer to see if which sides they use tempered glass on) OR you will need to buy the tank pre-drilled. What the manufacturer does is takes a plain piece of glass, cuts the holes and THEN tempers that pieice of glass. They then put the aquarium together and send it to you. Hence these tend to be more expensive than a regular aquarium that hasn't been drilled.

Your other option is to get an arcylic aquarium. These can be drilled by you without any of the associated problems with tempered glass.

HTH

[hobogato]

just saw this - may be something for you to look into

http://www.maast.org/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=14484