Oh, I wouldn't fill it for the first time in the house! Fill it
outside somewhere and leave it to sit for a day or two. While it's
full, check for any bowing of the glass, plus all the stuff Netmax
suggested. Newer tanks have a center brace in the middle of the top
frame to support the front and back glass. The front and side panes
should be attached on top of the bottom pane rather than around the
outside.

If he seems to know what he's doing, and has made several of his own
tanks, it's most likely going to be ok. But I wouldn't fill any tank
for the first time in the house.

Cris


On Sat, 12 Jun 2004 21:09:34 +0100, sophie
wrote:


I hope the crosspost is ok; it seems more efficient than posting an
identical article twice.

Tomorrow I'm going to look at a 48 * 18 * 18 tank - it's very cheap
(£20, which is around $36, and a fair bit less than half price in the
shops). I think it's new - the guy selling it is a _serious_ fish
hobbyist, makes his own tanks and has taken voluntary redundancy to
start his own aquatics business - he says he's selling to clear out
space in his unit (and has lots of other "bits", too...) He seems like a
very genuine, friendly kind of bloke - he says he can give me a lift
back with the tank in his van, which is astonishingly generous (he must
_really_ need that space...).
What I need to know is, as he isn't an established business and as it's
the kind of rock-bottom price that probably comes with very few
guarantees, how can I spot a duff tank? I know too make sure all the
corners are flat to whatever surface they stand on, but would any faults
in the sealant be obvious? Should I look for anything else? - once I get
it home and fill it up with water it could well be too late. The kitchen
ceiling will not withstand 67 gallons of water coming through it!

Any suggestions will be gratefully received!

many thanks,