Preowned 250L tank

[Snoyo1]

Hi everyone. I’ve recently bought a preowned 250L tank and some people on here were telling me to see if it has crossbars but I’m not too sure if it does so I am gonna post some pictures and just wondering if anyone can tell me if it does and if it needs more because from what I see it only has some glass going across the middle at the top of the tank. Okay thank you!

 

[Essjay]

The glass strips along the sides of the tank near the top edge are one type of bracer bar. My tank has this kind. The other type crosses the tank and is attached to the front and back. The strip from front to back in your photo - is that glued to the tank or just resting on it? If it is, you have both types of bracer.

Your tank is flat bottomed so you need a mat (foam, polystyrene) between the tank and any part of the stand which touched the bottom pane.

 

[mcordelia]

I believe the bracing you have is called "euro brace" and the other style is the "traditional brace". Looks like you scored a very beautiful tank! What @essjay said about the bottom mat is very important in this style of tank, as uneven pressure may cause the bottom glass to crack. Since your stand is not full coverage wood, I would consider putting a sheet of plywood and then a mat to spread the load evenly. @Naterjm is a carpenter and may also have some thoughts, if you are interested

However, if the stand is the one that was originally manufactured/sold for the tank, and that is what the tank was on previously, then you might also be fine continuing with that, assuming your setup is perfectly level.

 

[Snoyo1]

The glass strips along the sides of the tank near the top edge are one type of bracer bar. My tank has this kind. The other type crosses the tank and is attached to the front and back. The strip from front to back in your photo - is that glued to the tank or just resting on it? If it is, you have both types of bracer.

Your tank is flat bottomed so you need a mat (foam, polystyrene) between the tank and any part of the stand which touched the bottom pane.

Hello,
Yeah the strip on the middle from front to back is glued there and then the tank also came with two other glass panels I guess to place on the sides. I didn’t realise I needed a Matt so thank you for that!

 

[Snoyo1]

I believe the bracing you have is called "euro brace" and the other style is the "traditional brace". Looks like you scored a very beautiful tank! What @essjay said about the bottom mat is very important in this style of tank, as uneven pressure may cause the bottom glass to crack. Since your stand is not full coverage wood, I would consider putting a sheet of plywood and then a mat to spread the load evenly. @Naterjm is a carpenter and may also have some thoughts, if you are interested

However, if the stand is the one that was originally manufactured/sold for the tank, and that is what the tank was on previously, then you might also be fine continuing with that, assuming your setup is perfectly level.

Hi
I don’t think the stand came with the tank when they first bought it bc it is slightly uneven, like it wobbles a bit.. so I will need to make the stand even first and then probably get the plywood and also the Matt. Thanks for the advice!

 

[mcordelia]

Ohh yes, you don't want an uneven stand!! Take your time to get it right, 250 liters inside a tank is much more enjoyable than 250 liters on your floor

 

[HoldenOn]

Agree with above, the bracing looks fine, but I'd find the perfect stand!
Congrats on the new tank

 

[Colin_T]

Hello,
Yeah the strip on the middle from front to back is glued there and then the tank also came with two other glass panels I guess to place on the sides. I didn’t realise I needed a Matt so thank you for that!

The 2 extra sheets of glass are called cover glass. They stop water evaporating and stop fish from jumping out.

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There is a chip in the top of the back piece of glass. If you get some aquarium glass silicon, you can put a small blob of silicon on the missing section so you don't cut yourself on it. Otherwise leave it be and be careful when working on/ in the tank.

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Check the silicon (glue holding the glass together) for cream or white patches where it joins the glass together. And look for air bubbles in the silicon. These all indicate the silicon could be failing and coming away from the glass.

Touch the silicon and see what it feels like. It should be firm but slightly squishy. If the silicon is rock hard and brittle, it has gone off and will probably come away from the glass.

 

[Snoyo1]

The 2 extra sheets of glass are called cover glass. They stop water evaporating and stop fish from jumping out.

-------------------
There is a chip in the top of the back piece of glass. If you get some aquarium glass silicon, you can put a small blob of silicon on the missing section so you don't cut yourself on it. Otherwise leave it be and be careful when working on/ in the tank.

-------------------
Check the silicon (glue holding the glass together) for cream or white patches where it joins the glass together. And look for air bubbles in the silicon. These all indicate the silicon could be failing and coming away from the glass.

Touch the silicon and see what it feels like. It should be firm but slightly squishy. If the silicon is rock hard and brittle, it has gone off and will probably come away from the glass.

Thank you for the tips very helpful! I still haven’t actually done any work on the tank since I posted this other then strip away all the old silicone and I’m going to reseal it soon just a bit nervous to actually start. Thanks about the bit of missing glass at the back of tank I was actually wondering if it was even safe to use the tank with that bit missing. I will add silicone thanks!

 

[Corypower]

Have you thought about stocking?, also do check for leakage which is common for pre owned tanks

 

[Snoyo1]

Have you thought about stocking?, also do check for leakage which is common for pre owned tanks

Hi sorry what do you mean by stocking? And yeah after I reseal it and let it cure, I’m going to fill it with water and let it sit for a few days. Hopefully no leaks!

 

[Essjay]

Stocking just means the fish you intend to keep in the tank.

 

[Snoyo1]

Have you thought about stocking?, also do check for leakage which is common for pre owned tanks

Sorry yeah I only want to have small fish like maybe some corys and try guppies. I’ve never had them before. At the moment I have a smaller tank with some corys, neon tetras and 1 pleco who is hiding away most of the time.

 

[Corypower]

Ya corys are a great addition just make sure they are fed with protein rich foods , guppy’s are great

 

[Corypower]

What species of Cory?