once reptile tank want to convert to saltwater... any problems?

gkaquatic · 10/27/2009, 07:13 PM

looking at a tank on craigslist that was once a reptile tank. its in good condition and the price is right. is it ok to make a once reptile tank into a marine tank? and is there anything special i should do to prep it?

SnowManSnow · 10/27/2009, 07:15 PM

you'll be fine if it holds water i guess

khaosinc · 10/27/2009, 07:17 PM

the one thing to look at is glass thickness. Some reptile tanks are not really made to hold water. As far as cleaning it, I would bleach the heck out of it, and leak test it but other than that I wouldn't worry about what used to be in it.

gkaquatic · 10/27/2009, 07:46 PM

if i got look at it what should be a sign of a thin tank?

dc · 10/27/2009, 08:21 PM

This thread has been moved to the current forum.

I converted my 40 form reptile to SW and never had a problem.

gkaquatic · 10/27/2009, 08:26 PM

thats what size this one is i hope its not to thin and i can get a deal

reefman30 · 10/27/2009, 08:54 PM

If it is a true aquarium that was used to hold reptiles there should be no problem holding water. If it is one of those glass tanks made for reptiles like they sell at petsmart then it probably wont hold the water and any rock or sand. The reptile glass tanks they sell at petsmart say do not fill them with water.

khaosinc · 10/27/2009, 10:18 PM

what is the size (hight) of the tank, and how thick is the glass. That should answer the question pretty quickly.

gkaquatic · 10/27/2009, 10:23 PM

well the tank is a 40 gallon breeder. trying to go look at it asap

lordofthereef · 10/27/2009, 10:54 PM

+1 on glass thickness.

If it was manufactured and sold as a terrarium and not an aquarium I would be nervous mainly because the silicone job nor the glass was made with the idea in mind that it will hold water long term. I know that my 70g reptile cages have way too thin of glass to make me comfortable using it/ Another thing to consider, even if the glass is thick, is whether or not it would need a brace or not. Most reptile tanks don;t have braces, again because they are not designed to hold water. If it were me, I would look for a used tank someplace. I am sure you could find a similar 40g for next to nothing.

goochesfish · 10/27/2009, 11:59 PM

true reptile tanks are not made to hold water. There is no reinforcement and the glass is thinner. I've had a 40 gallon reptile tank for tortoises and i know the glass is much thinner.

socalmiket · 10/28/2009, 01:09 AM

If it's a 40 gallon reptile tank, it will not hold water up to the top.

My 40 breeder I use for my sump had pretty thick glass, like 1/4".

- MikeT

peasofme · 11/03/2009, 09:49 AM

very bad idea. get a new tank.

DC_40gallon · 11/03/2009, 10:21 AM

my 40 breeder was aqueon products, might check the manufacture of the tank.

lougotzz · 11/17/2009, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goochesfish

true reptile tanks are not made to hold water. There is no reinforcement and the glass is thinner. I've had a 40 gallon reptile tank for tortoises and i know the glass is much thinner.

I had the same thing/same pet. But when I cleaned it I filled it with water and it held water. I got it for 8 dollars new at petco years ago because there was something wrong with the computer lol.

Mentat · 11/17/2009, 08:18 PM

Would pass a reptile tank and keep looking until a used aquarium shows up. Even if it holds water, there is possibility reptile owners used chemicals to control mites and other insects. If they got adsorbed into tank and leach out later in SW, chemicals could damage saltwater invertebrates.

HKAVR45 · 11/17/2009, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goochesfish

true reptile tanks are not made to hold water. There is no reinforcement and the glass is thinner. I've had a 40 gallon reptile tank for tortoises and i know the glass is much thinner.

+1

"Reptile" tanks should have a label on the bottom designating it as such and specifically state not to fill with water.

How big is this tank?

10/27/2009, 07:13 PM	#1
gkaquatic Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: cleveland, Ohio Posts: 258	once reptile tank want to convert to saltwater... any problems? looking at a tank on craigslist that was once a reptile tank. its in good condition and the price is right. is it ok to make a once reptile tank into a marine tank? and is there anything special i should do to prep it?

10/27/2009, 07:15 PM	#2
SnowManSnow Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Georgia Posts: 956	you'll be fine if it holds water i guess __________________ It's dark as the inside of a cow out here! - Mark Twain Current Tank Info: 120 MRC acrylic Tank (love it). Constellation T5s Mixed Reef

10/27/2009, 07:17 PM	#3
khaosinc The cyborg reefer Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NW Washington state Posts: 2,345	the one thing to look at is glass thickness. Some reptile tanks are not really made to hold water. As far as cleaning it, I would bleach the heck out of it, and leak test it but other than that I wouldn't worry about what used to be in it. __________________ Disclaimer: I have not yet figured out how to install a breathalizer on my computer. Current Tank Info: It's all torn down... someday I might rebuild.

10/27/2009, 08:21 PM	#5
dc Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Wyoming Posts: 44,684	This thread has been moved to the current forum. I converted my 40 form reptile to SW and never had a problem. __________________ Debi ~60 Cube~ Why? Because I said so of course. -Sent via Tapatalk Smoke Signals-

10/27/2009, 10:18 PM	#8
khaosinc The cyborg reefer Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NW Washington state Posts: 2,345	what is the size (hight) of the tank, and how thick is the glass. That should answer the question pretty quickly. __________________ Disclaimer: I have not yet figured out how to install a breathalizer on my computer. Current Tank Info: It's all torn down... someday I might rebuild.

10/27/2009, 07:46 PM	#4
gkaquatic Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: cleveland, Ohio Posts: 258	if i got look at it what should be a sign of a thin tank?

10/27/2009, 08:26 PM	#6
gkaquatic Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: cleveland, Ohio Posts: 258	thats what size this one is i hope its not to thin and i can get a deal

10/27/2009, 08:54 PM	#7
reefman30 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Midland, Texas Posts: 137	If it is a true aquarium that was used to hold reptiles there should be no problem holding water. If it is one of those glass tanks made for reptiles like they sell at petsmart then it probably wont hold the water and any rock or sand. The reptile glass tanks they sell at petsmart say do not fill them with water.

10/27/2009, 10:23 PM	#9
gkaquatic Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: cleveland, Ohio Posts: 258	well the tank is a 40 gallon breeder. trying to go look at it asap

10/27/2009, 10:54 PM	#10
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	+1 on glass thickness. If it was manufactured and sold as a terrarium and not an aquarium I would be nervous mainly because the silicone job nor the glass was made with the idea in mind that it will hold water long term. I know that my 70g reptile cages have way too thin of glass to make me comfortable using it/ Another thing to consider, even if the glass is thick, is whether or not it would need a brace or not. Most reptile tanks don;t have braces, again because they are not designed to hold water. If it were me, I would look for a used tank someplace. I am sure you could find a similar 40g for next to nothing. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

10/27/2009, 11:59 PM	#11
goochesfish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,305	true reptile tanks are not made to hold water. There is no reinforcement and the glass is thinner. I've had a 40 gallon reptile tank for tortoises and i know the glass is much thinner. __________________ The Gooch, my Beagle, may she RIP 1995-2011 Current Tank Info: 150 gallon Starfire set up July 22,09, 30g QT

10/28/2009, 01:09 AM	#12
socalmiket Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lawndale, Ca Posts: 1,230	If it's a 40 gallon reptile tank, it will not hold water up to the top. My 40 breeder I use for my sump had pretty thick glass, like 1/4". - MikeT

11/03/2009, 09:49 AM	#13
peasofme Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: usa Posts: 1,405	very bad idea. get a new tank.

11/03/2009, 10:21 AM	#14
DC_40gallon Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,474	my 40 breeder was aqueon products, might check the manufacture of the tank.

11/17/2009, 08:18 PM	#16
Mentat Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Virginia Beach, VA USA Posts: 1,173	Would pass a reptile tank and keep looking until a used aquarium shows up. Even if it holds water, there is possibility reptile owners used chemicals to control mites and other insects. If they got adsorbed into tank and leach out later in SW, chemicals could damage saltwater invertebrates.