[Batfish]

I found this tank at a garage sale a while ago and I was wondering how old and what kind it was. It has a slate bottom and the edges are held together by what seems to be steel and tar. Would the slate do anything to the water if I turned it into a nano reef?

I'll have a picture tomarro.

[glampka]

That my friend is an antique! You really don't want to use it for saltwater due to the metal frame. If you plan on using it, the best thing to do is take it apart, get rid of the tar & put it back together using aquarium safe silicone. Saw an article somewhere describing how to do it. I would replace the slate as well. You never know what it could leach out.

[emccullough1]

Is it anything like my 55gal long? I have it setup as a freshwater tank.

[Batfish]

My tank looks alot like that one. My tank is probably a 3gal. I'm not going to take out the tar or anything if it's an antique. It is in really good condition and holds water. How old do you think it could be?

I'm having a problem getting my picture to paste onto the post. Can anyone help?

[emccullough1]

Mine is 25 years old or that is what I was told by the person I got it from and made just as you described. I think they where intended for use as a terrarium. I had two pieces of glass cut and placed them on the bottom. I had to go with 2 pieces because of a center brace. I then added silicone to the inside seems and new glass bottom. the metal on mine is stainless steel so I would not be afraid to do saltwater

[plecosword]

Originally Posted by Batfish

My tank looks alot like that one. My tank is probably a 3gal. I'm not going to take out the tar or anything if it's an antique. It is in really good condition and holds water. How old do you think it could be?

I'm having a problem getting my picture to paste onto the post. Can anyone help?

I could help you probably, do you have photobuket?

[Batfish]

Thanks emccullough1 , for helping me get my picture onto the post. I have no idea how old mine is. I think that mine is stainless steal because there is no rust on it. I'm going to turn it into a nano reef unless you think that the tar might do something to the water.

[Jeremy0322]

In my opinion it is not worth the risk. You can get around a 5 gallon tank at the pet store for around 10 dollars, a small price to pay for the piece of mind. And at that price you can get a 10 gallon for about 2 dollars more, and you have just tripled your tank volume...lol

[plecosword]

this tank is 10 gallons? I agree with Jeremy

[emccullough1]

Personally I like the look of the stainless steel, and tar and slate can both be found in the ocean. So it would not worry me in the least. Just don't go crazy with the stocking in the beginning. If you have a problem you can always pick up a cheep 10 gal and change it over.

[Batfish]

Edward is thinking like me. I like the look of the steal edges. It'll give the tank a look thats different from all the other nano reefs. I know it's only 10 bucks for a new one but I like this one. The tank is only a 3gallon so if I have a problem I can move the stuff over to my 29gal.

[Jeremy0322]

You could take the steal off of the tank and then glue it on a ten that you buy. That would probably be the safest route. I just don't like the idea of putting tar in a tank, thats the same stuff that causes lung cancer.

[plecosword]

oh, Jeremy didnt know that, I would not want my fish to be dying from lung cancer! lol

[DEWAYNE]

I would not put fish in a tank that was sealed with tar, even though found in the ocean, realize it is on a much bigger scale.....think about it.

[Jeremy0322]

I wonder if fish can get lung cancer, that would really suck. Anyways, what did you decide to do with the tank?

[aquasalt]

Originally Posted by Jeremy0322

I wonder if fish can get lung cancer, that would really suck. Anyways, what did you decide to do with the tank?

Only if they could smoke it!

Come to think of it, I believe sharks are one of the few (if not only) creatures on this planet that do not develop cancer. Quite amazing really, if you consider all the rubbish that some species consume! Many researchers believe that sharks carry the cure to cancer...or at least a part of the answer.

[plecosword]

hmm that is realyl Interesting