Why I should have bought a new tank.

[Teeb]

Well, a little background on me and my hobbies. I'm a terrible spender, I can blow through money on hobbies like you wouldn't believe. I have a gun collection that would make Academy jealous and dumped thousands in RC gear. When I first bought by BC8, I wanted to start off small and take it slow. Well, the bug caught on and I decided I wanted bigger.

I wanted to be smart about it this time. Take my time, find the equipment second hand for good deals. I originally purchased my tank over 2 mos ago and have been slowly piecing everything together, despite the urges to just go buy everything and get it cycling.

Last night my new tank was coming to fruition. I did a test run on Thurs night after the rest of my plumbing came in and made sure everything was flowing like it should be, no leaks in plumbing, etc. Everything was working great. I finally had everything I needed. I picked up my sand from reefs2u last night and was going to pick up my rock this morning. I started making water 2 days ago and was excited to not have an empty aquarium in my dining room for the first time in weeks.

I filled it up last night, tinkered with the overflow until it was quiet enough and hung out in the living room for a couple hours to make sure that everything was ok. I headed off to bed.

Sometime throughout the night, the tank cracked in one of the corners and proceeded to dump about 40 gallons of saltwater all over my dining room floor and my desire for a new tank destroyed.

I'm floored. I made multiple trips to Austin, went through the trouble and cost of having the returns and overflows custom drilled. Overflow boxes built, $50 worth of specialty plumbing on top of the many trips to Lowes. All for nothing. I never even had a chance to use my skimmer or light.

Well, back to cleaning up the pond.....err dining room.



Clif Notes:
1. Tried to be smart/thrifty about a hobby for once.
2. Tank cracked.
3. I'm ****ed.
4. Hindsight says I should have just spent the money on a new tank.

http://i730.photobucket.com/albums/ww304/davisfamily2009/DSC00418.jpg

[Big_Pun]

that's a weird crack I've had aquariums for while did fresh since I was a kid that looks like something hit it or it was hit before and that was a small crack you didn't see, what size tank was it. good luck with the clean up, I once had a canister filter return hose fall out and pump half of my 75 g onto the floor when I had cichlids

[RayAllen]

Thats unfortunate, ive bought almost exclusively used aquariums and have never had one crack on me in my years in the hobby. I have bought new aquariums that had their flaws though so you never know. You simply had a case of bad luck so you will see it as you see it. Tank used or new are made to last, I know a few people who have had the same tank running for over 10yrs.

Is that a Biocube or Red sea max? The curved corner made me ask? 1st time ive seen a crack in one there. It looks as if it was bumped into something some time ago and weakend it and when you set it up the pressure finally gave way to that crack.

[Bill S]

Wow, that stinks. That's an acrylic tank, right?

[The Butcher]

Thats unfortunate, ive bought almost exclusively used aquariums and have never had one crack on me in my years in the hobby. I have bought new aquariums that had their flaws though so you never know. You simply had a case of bad luck so you will see it as you see it. Tank used or new are made to last, I know a few people who have had the same tank running for over 10yrs.

Is that a Biocube or Red sea max? The curved corner made me ask? 1st time ive seen a crack in one there. It looks as if it was bumped into something some time ago and weakened it. When you set it up the pressure finally gave way to that crack.

I completely agree with this statement.

[Teeb]

It's not an all in one, just a tank that I thought was cool with the rounded corners. It was a 45 gallon. C'est la vie!

[Teeb]

Anyone have a 36" tank/stand they're parting with?

[DSAfanatic]

That sucks. I personally prefer new tanks. They come with a warranty, and there is no one to blame but yourseld when you see scratches on the glass.

[R.Allard]

looks like the crack started from the bottom.. is there a nail or something sticking up from the stand?? maybe set the tank on a small piece of LR. dunno but that crack looks fishy!!
i have bought several used tanks had them drilled made new setups out of them and never had one crack. i did have a tank break when it was being drilled but that was because the bottom was tempered and wasnt marked.