Yep, I Think I'm the Only Person Who DOESN'T Know How to Grow Algae

skjl47

Large Fish
Nov 13, 2010
712
0
0
Northeastern Tennessee.
#21
Hello; I bought a used tank with out giving it a good look over many years ago. When I cleaned it up discovered a multitude of small scratches on all the inside surfaces of the glass. It must have been cleaned with some kind of abrasive. Look for cracks and chips on the corners if it is all glass. I have some small chips on a corner of a tank that have not caused a problem, but a crack will spread. Note - I silicone a clear plastic corner protector to my all glass tank corners now. The last i found at a local hardware store were for protecting the outside corners of wall paper. I use clear silicone to adhear it to the outside corner of the tank.
 

nanu156

Large Fish
Mar 8, 2010
745
0
0
Detroit, Mi
#23
Honestly you are going to be in the same situation you are now with a 20g tank in about 2 months bite the bullet and get a 55, you will thank me later.

Don't ship a tank, light scratches are ok for the most part my tanks tend to have scratches in them, when they are full of water it is barley noticeable.

Check the silicone in the corners on used tanks, if they look like they have been resealed (the silicone lines are not machine perfect and straight) pass on them.

There are some unscrupulous folks out there who re-seal with the cheap silicone that eventually poisons the water.

I buy and sell things on craigslist all the time, im still here. Go in the day time, bring someone with you you will be fine.