[AquaticLife] Buying a used tank, what to look for….
Jim,
I’m sending my reply to your off-list email here too. I replied to you directly but often, spam filters grab so many emails nowadays but I’m guessing you get the groups messages.
Yes, silicone can lose it’s sealing abilities… not sure if dry rot would be the right term.. maybe “become brittle”… but it’s not likely that it would happen on a 3 year old tank. If it was 10 or 15 years old and sitting in an uninsulated garage or attic, maybe, but I’m sure tanks sit around in warehouses sometimes for a couple of years before being sold with no problems. The silicone caulking used around outside windows is supposed to last 20-30 years, although it will start to become brittle in less time than that but it’s exposed to drastic weather and UV rays, heat and cold, etc.
I’m sure the tank’s silicone is fine.
The Marineland HOT Magnum filters should be fine to use without a UGF filter. The only difference is the intake tubes would have to be fitted with strainers (available from DrsFosterSmith.com for $2.99 and probably from Marineland.com as well).
Lenny Vasbinder Fish Blog - http://GoldLenny.blogspot.com (Links to articles referenced above listed on the right side under Archives - Year, Month and under Labels)
Category: Philippines Internet Koi Society
