Can I still set up a 15 year old 50 gallon fish tank?

Question

It hasn't been used since about 1992. I'd love to set it up and get some fish in there. What should I do?

Answer 1

I'd start by taking it outside and filling it up with water to check for leaks (let it sit for a few hours to be sure). If there are no problems, there's no reason it couldn't be used. Clean it out well while the water is still in it.

If it leaks, you might need to remove the silicone on that seam and replace it with a new silicone seal.

I'd get a new filter, light, and heater. If there's old gravel, you can clean it in a mix of 1 part bleach and 19 parts water and let it sit for 15 minutes. This is the only way to completely sterilize the gravel, but be sure to rinse it thoroughly before adding it to the tank. If you don't have gravel, you can buy new.

From there, it's just a matter of chosing a location for the tank (and if you need a stand), adding water (I'd recommend doind a fishless cycle, more on that later), and choosing the fish.

Cycling is when you build up some bacteria in the tank to break down the fish wastes. Fish produce ammonia which is toxic. Bacteria convert this to nitrite, which is also toxic, then to nitrate which fish can tolerate in moderate amounts. Doing this without fish saves them a lot of stress, and saves you from maybe having to replace them if the ammonia or nitrite levels get to high.

With a 50 gallon tank, you'd have a lot of choices for what goes into the tank. Just keep in mind the adult size of any fish you get, their activity level (so they have enough swimming room), and their compatibility (so you don't get one that eats the others, some need to be in schools of their own kind, some are territorial, so it's only one to a tank).

I'll post a couple of links below on general tank set-up, cycling, and a link with fish communities showing some species that work well together. Look at communities 1-4 for more peaceful fish - those with hardiness ratings of "A" or "AA" are the easiest to keep.

Good luck with the tank!

Answer 2

You might want to start by resealing it, you can get sealant at walmart if you want. Also, take a bucket with about 2 drops of bleach. NO MORE OR YOUR FISH WILL DIE. And clean the tank throughly. That way you can make sure that there are no diseases. Put tap water in and run it for a few days to see if it leaks or if the filter works. If so, set it up like a normal tank. Good luck! Also, make sure to run the fully set up tank for about 2+ days before adding fish

Answer 3

I bought a used tank that was about 10 years old once. It worked for awhile, then it sprung a small leak at one of the seals. You can try it, I'd set it up for a few days with water in it outside first though to make sure it's not leaking. Or, you could reseal it to be on the safe side. Just make sure you use sealant that says safe for aquariums on it. Good luck!!

Answer 4

There is no reason not to that I know of, as long as you re-seal it, and get a new filter, heater, and rocks (some of the older colored rocks can peel- yuck!)

Glass doesn't deteriorate, and most of the sealants made for fish-tanks in the last 15 years were non-toxic.

Answer 5

Even if it holds water, I would take a razor blade(carefully), and strip out the old silicone. Then get aquarium silicone(non-toxic), and reseal it. You will also need to replace the filter and heater. Other than that, you are in good shape. Have fun with your tank.

Answer 6

use it agen