lifespan of aquarium

[Mark Sauder]

I have a 55 gallon aquarium that I have owned for about 20 years.
Recently the center brace on the top frame broke. The glass
was bowed out but none of the seams leaked. I put a clamp on the
aquarium to hold the glass in until I get a new top frame.

How long will an aquarium last? Once I replace the top frame
will it give me 20 more years of service or am I living on
borrowed time? Should replace it now before it floods my living
room? There is a little bit of algea/mildew in some of the
silicon in the corners but I haven't had any problems with
leaks or anything.

Thanks.

Mark

[NetMax]

"Mark Sauder" > wrote in message
...
>I have a 55 gallon aquarium that I have owned for about 20 years.
> Recently the center brace on the top frame broke. The glass
> was bowed out but none of the seams leaked. I put a clamp on the
> aquarium to hold the glass in until I get a new top frame.
>
> How long will an aquarium last? Once I replace the top frame
> will it give me 20 more years of service or am I living on
> borrowed time? Should replace it now before it floods my living
> room? There is a little bit of algea/mildew in some of the
> silicon in the corners but I haven't had any problems with
> leaks or anything.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Mark


I can only think of 3 things which affect the longevity of an all glass
tank. The 1st is mechanical damage such as chips and scratches to the
glass (or cracks ;~). The 2nd is deterioration of the silicone, which in
normal circumstances, will not occur significantly. I would guess that
it would take something like outdoor storage (UV radiation) to begin
breaking down the molecular structure causing the silicone to become
embrittled. The 3rd is the bond between the silicone and the glass and
this is imo the weakest link. Look for evidence of this bond weakening,
such as air bubbles or algae (flooded air pockets). IMO, an aquarium can
suffer damage to the internal bead of silicone (catfish chewing) with
less harm than loss of adhesion occurring at the silicone sandwiched
between the panes.
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Victor Martinez]

NetMax wrote:
> normal circumstances, will not occur significantly. I would guess that
> it would take something like outdoor storage (UV radiation) to begin
> breaking down the molecular structure causing the silicone to become
> embrittled. The 3rd is the bond between the silicone and the glass and

What about those with planted tanks and big CF lights? Those have plenty
of UV energy, don't they?

--
Victor Martinez
Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM)
Send your spam here:
Email me here:

[Diana]

A lot of that is absorbed by the water, the energy is reduced by
passing through the water.
__________________________________________________
Posted via FishGeeks - http://Aquaria.info

[Dick]

On Mon, 15 Nov 2004 19:15:49 -0500, "NetMax"
> wrote:

>"Mark Sauder" > wrote in message
...
>>I have a 55 gallon aquarium that I have owned for about 20 years.
>> Recently the center brace on the top frame broke. The glass
>> was bowed out but none of the seams leaked. I put a clamp on the
>> aquarium to hold the glass in until I get a new top frame.
>>
>> How long will an aquarium last? Once I replace the top frame
>> will it give me 20 more years of service or am I living on
>> borrowed time? Should replace it now before it floods my living
>> room? There is a little bit of algea/mildew in some of the
>> silicon in the corners but I haven't had any problems with
>> leaks or anything.
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Mark
>
>
>I can only think of 3 things which affect the longevity of an all glass
>tank. The 1st is mechanical damage such as chips and scratches to the
>glass (or cracks ;~). The 2nd is deterioration of the silicone, which in
>normal circumstances, will not occur significantly. I would guess that
>it would take something like outdoor storage (UV radiation) to begin
>breaking down the molecular structure causing the silicone to become
>embrittled. The 3rd is the bond between the silicone and the glass and
>this is imo the weakest link. Look for evidence of this bond weakening,
>such as air bubbles or algae (flooded air pockets). IMO, an aquarium can
>suffer damage to the internal bead of silicone (catfish chewing) with
>less harm than loss of adhesion occurring at the silicone sandwiched
>between the panes.

Netmax,

How long have you had tanks setup? I recall some fellow talking about
having had fish for forty years, but didn't mention how long anyone
tank had been in use. I assume the fish did not live 40 years! <g>

dick

[Margolis]

"Mark Sauder" > wrote in message
...
> I have a 55 gallon aquarium that I have owned for about 20 years.
> Recently the center brace on the top frame broke. The glass
> was bowed out but none of the seams leaked. I put a clamp on the
> aquarium to hold the glass in until I get a new top frame.
>
> How long will an aquarium last? Once I replace the top frame
> will it give me 20 more years of service or am I living on
> borrowed time? Should replace it now before it floods my living
> room? There is a little bit of algea/mildew in some of the
> silicon in the corners but I haven't had any problems with
> leaks or anything.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Mark
>


all I can say is that I am like you, I have a few tanks in the ~20 year
range. I have never had a problem with one. I also have a few friends
with ~20 year old tanks. I have never personally known anyone who has ever
had one fail. Beyond that, I can't comment on.


--

Margolis
http://web.archive.org/web/20030215212142/http://www.agqx.org/faqs/AGQ2FAQ.htm
http://www.unrealtower.org/faq

[Victor Martinez]

Diana wrote:
> A lot of that is absorbed by the water, the energy is reduced by
> passing through the water.

yeah, but that wouldn't do any good to the center brace... :)

--
Victor Martinez
Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM)
Send your spam here:
Email me here:

[NetMax]

"Dick" > wrote in message
...
> On Mon, 15 Nov 2004 19:15:49 -0500, "NetMax"
> > wrote:
>
>>"Mark Sauder" > wrote in message
...
>>>I have a 55 gallon aquarium that I have owned for about 20 years.
>>> Recently the center brace on the top frame broke. The glass
>>> was bowed out but none of the seams leaked. I put a clamp on the
>>> aquarium to hold the glass in until I get a new top frame.
>>>
>>> How long will an aquarium last? Once I replace the top frame
>>> will it give me 20 more years of service or am I living on
>>> borrowed time? Should replace it now before it floods my living
>>> room? There is a little bit of algea/mildew in some of the
>>> silicon in the corners but I haven't had any problems with
>>> leaks or anything.
>>>
>>> Thanks.
>>>
>>> Mark
>>
>>
>>I can only think of 3 things which affect the longevity of an all glass
>>tank. The 1st is mechanical damage such as chips and scratches to the
>>glass (or cracks ;~). The 2nd is deterioration of the silicone, which
>>in
>>normal circumstances, will not occur significantly. I would guess that
>>it would take something like outdoor storage (UV radiation) to begin
>>breaking down the molecular structure causing the silicone to become
>>embrittled. The 3rd is the bond between the silicone and the glass and
>>this is imo the weakest link. Look for evidence of this bond
>>weakening,
>>such as air bubbles or algae (flooded air pockets). IMO, an aquarium
>>can
>>suffer damage to the internal bead of silicone (catfish chewing) with
>>less harm than loss of adhesion occurring at the silicone sandwiched
>>between the panes.
>
> Netmax,
>
> How long have you had tanks setup? I recall some fellow talking about
> having had fish for forty years, but didn't mention how long anyone
> tank had been in use. I assume the fish did not live 40 years! <g>
>
> dick

Started about 35 years ago, but whenever I move, the tanks stay empty for
a couple of years. Currently, my oldest tank is about 22 years old, and
it did split a seam, but it's a 5 ft tank with no cross-brace so it
wasn't completely unexpected. As for longevity, I've had large cichlids
which were around 6 years old. Certainly not a record of any sort
though.
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Dick]

On Wed, 17 Nov 2004 23:23:39 -0500, "NetMax"
> wrote:

>"Dick" > wrote in message
...
>> On Mon, 15 Nov 2004 19:15:49 -0500, "NetMax"
>> > wrote:
>>
>>>"Mark Sauder" > wrote in message
...
>>>>I have a 55 gallon aquarium that I have owned for about 20 years.
>>>> Recently the center brace on the top frame broke. The glass
>>>> was bowed out but none of the seams leaked. I put a clamp on the
>>>> aquarium to hold the glass in until I get a new top frame.
>>>>
>>>> How long will an aquarium last? Once I replace the top frame
>>>> will it give me 20 more years of service or am I living on
>>>> borrowed time? Should replace it now before it floods my living
>>>> room? There is a little bit of algea/mildew in some of the
>>>> silicon in the corners but I haven't had any problems with
>>>> leaks or anything.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks.
>>>>
>>>> Mark
>>>
>>>
>>>I can only think of 3 things which affect the longevity of an all glass
>>>tank. The 1st is mechanical damage such as chips and scratches to the
>>>glass (or cracks ;~). The 2nd is deterioration of the silicone, which
>>>in
>>>normal circumstances, will not occur significantly. I would guess that
>>>it would take something like outdoor storage (UV radiation) to begin
>>>breaking down the molecular structure causing the silicone to become
>>>embrittled. The 3rd is the bond between the silicone and the glass and
>>>this is imo the weakest link. Look for evidence of this bond
>>>weakening,
>>>such as air bubbles or algae (flooded air pockets). IMO, an aquarium
>>>can
>>>suffer damage to the internal bead of silicone (catfish chewing) with
>>>less harm than loss of adhesion occurring at the silicone sandwiched
>>>between the panes.
>>
>> Netmax,
>>
>> How long have you had tanks setup? I recall some fellow talking about
>> having had fish for forty years, but didn't mention how long anyone
>> tank had been in use. I assume the fish did not live 40 years! <g>
>>
>> dick
>
>Started about 35 years ago, but whenever I move, the tanks stay empty for
>a couple of years. Currently, my oldest tank is about 22 years old, and
>it did split a seam, but it's a 5 ft tank with no cross-brace so it
>wasn't completely unexpected. As for longevity, I've had large cichlids
>which were around 6 years old. Certainly not a record of any sort
>though.

I worry about keeping my hobby for too many years. As I lose muscle
strength, vision slips and forgetfullness increases, I don't think
keeping pets is going to be a good idea. I live alone and worry about
sudden illness. Who to care for the dogs and fish. Five to 10 years
should be doable. I don't plan to add any new fish. All the live
bearers, except one young one I can't catch, are now separated by sex.
Terrible to have to face the limiting effects of aging, but I would
rather plan ahead than suddenly be gone and no one to take care of the
pets.

dick