How to dispose an old fish tank?

GoLowDrew · 05/15/2012, 04:48 PM

Is there a proper way to do it?

I have a trash bin and a recycle bin. Service every week. Glass is recyclable. Should I try to take it apart? Or safer to just put it in the trash bin. Yes, glass is dangerous, but when you think about it, a lot of common trash is dangerous.

Advice?

Ronic · 05/15/2012, 04:55 PM

I took an old tank apart and then recycled it by having my local glass shop cut it into my baffles for my sump.

kingevil · 05/15/2012, 04:57 PM

dumpster behind wal mart.

dryworm · 05/15/2012, 04:58 PM

i would call the trash collectors and ask them.

ken55 · 05/15/2012, 05:09 PM

I would just put it out with the regular trash. Those guys aren't gonna think twice about throwing it in the back of the truck.

That's presuming it's small enough for them to lift, of course.

atomichead · 05/15/2012, 05:15 PM

Fill it with red Jello and shoot it with a shotgun. Well... that's what I would do.

steelwrap · 05/15/2012, 05:30 PM

Recycle if You can

ken55 · 05/15/2012, 05:31 PM

Is it still functional? As in no cracks, still holds water etc.?

If so then do the ultimate recycle. Offer it for free to a young person just starting out in the aquaria hobby.

Saltydrip · 05/15/2012, 05:34 PM

Post it on craigs list. People are always looking for terariums.

OregonReefer2 · 05/15/2012, 06:16 PM

I've put a damaged tank on the curb with the words "recycle me" written in sharpie... it was gone when I got home

nmcgrawj · 05/15/2012, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken55

Is it still functional? As in no cracks, still holds water etc.?

If so then do the ultimate recycle. Offer it for free to a young person just starting out in the aquaria hobby.

.

Or If no one wants it, make a "curb notice" post on Craig's list. Someone will come take it.

Saltydrip · 05/15/2012, 08:19 PM

Lol. What size and where are you??

GoLowDrew · 05/16/2012, 10:38 AM

Before I got this 29G, I got a 20. No takers at garage sale for 7 years. Yes, I don't mind offering it "free." Often time, even free is not an incentive enough.

steve888 · 05/16/2012, 11:05 AM

I'd be surprised if you couldn't give it away for free on Craig's List. People are really hurting these days financially. I had a small $200 guitar amp I listed on Craig's List for free and it was gone in less than two hours (no joke).

Another idea might be to contact your local high school or middle school. I bet there's a science department out there who could use that for one of their classes (marine sciences maybe)?

masonicman · 05/16/2012, 11:06 AM

It's been sitting for seven years with no water in it? If so and it glass with silicon corners then it might be useless to hold water. The silicon eventually hardens and cracks when its stored.

MrTuskfish · 05/16/2012, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saltydrip

Post it on craigs list. People are always looking for terariums.

Yeah, and reptile-keepers.

Reeferz412 · 05/16/2012, 11:44 AM

I had a ten gallon tank that I didn't want anymore, so I left it outside near my curb. I saw some guy stop by pick it up and throw in the middle of the street and drive off. Entertaining to say the least....

ken55 · 05/16/2012, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reeferz412

I had a ten gallon tank that I didn't want anymore, so I left it outside near my curb. I saw some guy stop by pick it up and throw in the middle of the street and drive off. Entertaining to say the least....

Jackwagon. There's one in every crowd. Sorry to hear it.

ken55 · 05/16/2012, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrTuskfish

Yeah, and reptile-keepers.

Or possibly Hamsters or Mice. Even if the water integrity is at issue there are still uses for it.

sponger0 · 05/16/2012, 12:25 PM

In my city, trash collectors wont pick up aquariums. I have to take it to our local dump site.

I would try to give it away except it has two holes and cracked on the back..useless. Just need to get it to the dump

ken55 · 05/16/2012, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sponger0

In my city, trash collectors wont pick up aquariums. I have to take it to our local dump site.

I would try to give it away except it has two holes and cracked on the back..useless. Just need to get it to the dump

This is always an option.

BTW- as the crow flies I'm not that far from you. Richmond suburbs. I go fishing at the piers out your way a couple of times a year.

ek9vboi · 05/16/2012, 12:39 PM

I'm pretty sure if u leave it on a corner with a sign that says "FREE" someone will pick it up. I would, but I prefer a new tank considering the price isn't much more. It's an expensive hobby as it is already.

05/15/2012, 04:48 PM	#1
GoLowDrew No Title Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 390	How to dispose an old fish tank? Is there a proper way to do it? I have a trash bin and a recycle bin. Service every week. Glass is recyclable. Should I try to take it apart? Or safer to just put it in the trash bin. Yes, glass is dangerous, but when you think about it, a lot of common trash is dangerous. Advice? __________________ Thanks for answering my questions. Current Tank Info: 29G with 30lbs Live Rock, powerhead, one Clown fish.

05/15/2012, 04:58 PM	#4
dryworm Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: dayton, ky Posts: 113	i would call the trash collectors and ask them. __________________ When it was all said and done. More was said than done.

05/15/2012, 05:09 PM	#5
ken55 A wing and a prayer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SoChes Posts: 635	I would just put it out with the regular trash. Those guys aren't gonna think twice about throwing it in the back of the truck. That's presuming it's small enough for them to lift, of course. __________________ Current tank info: Last time I saw them they were leaning against a tree in my ex's backyard.

05/15/2012, 05:31 PM	#8
ken55 A wing and a prayer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SoChes Posts: 635	Is it still functional? As in no cracks, still holds water etc.? If so then do the ultimate recycle. Offer it for free to a young person just starting out in the aquaria hobby. __________________ Current tank info: Last time I saw them they were leaning against a tree in my ex's backyard.

05/15/2012, 05:34 PM	#9
Saltydrip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 1,826	Post it on craigs list. People are always looking for terariums. __________________ Current tank 48" 75g DT w/ 55g sump/fuge.

05/15/2012, 04:55 PM	#2
Ronic Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Dexter, MI. Posts: 119	I took an old tank apart and then recycled it by having my local glass shop cut it into my baffles for my sump.

05/15/2012, 04:57 PM	#3
kingevil Moved On Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: phx/east valley Posts: 917	dumpster behind wal mart.

05/15/2012, 05:15 PM	#6
atomichead Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Easley, SC Posts: 81	Fill it with red Jello and shoot it with a shotgun. Well... that's what I would do.

05/15/2012, 05:30 PM	#7
steelwrap Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Michigan City IN Posts: 148	Recycle if You can

05/15/2012, 06:16 PM	#10
OregonReefer2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 324	I've put a damaged tank on the curb with the words "recycle me" written in sharpie... it was gone when I got home

05/15/2012, 08:19 PM	#12
Saltydrip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 1,826	Lol. What size and where are you?? __________________ Current tank 48" 75g DT w/ 55g sump/fuge.

05/16/2012, 10:38 AM	#13
GoLowDrew No Title Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 390	Before I got this 29G, I got a 20. No takers at garage sale for 7 years. Yes, I don't mind offering it "free." Often time, even free is not an incentive enough. __________________ Thanks for answering my questions. Current Tank Info: 29G with 30lbs Live Rock, powerhead, one Clown fish.

05/16/2012, 11:05 AM	#14
steve888 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 241	I'd be surprised if you couldn't give it away for free on Craig's List. People are really hurting these days financially. I had a small $200 guitar amp I listed on Craig's List for free and it was gone in less than two hours (no joke). Another idea might be to contact your local high school or middle school. I bet there's a science department out there who could use that for one of their classes (marine sciences maybe)? __________________ 30G Long, Aqua-C Remora HOB Skimmer, Cobalt Aquatics MJ1200, Vortech MP-10, Koralia 240 GPH, Talbot's Damsel, Forktail Blenny, 2 Skunk Cleaner Shrimps, 2 Snails, 2 Hermits

05/16/2012, 11:06 AM	#15
masonicman Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 1,313	It's been sitting for seven years with no water in it? If so and it glass with silicon corners then it might be useless to hold water. The silicon eventually hardens and cracks when its stored. __________________ It is better to ask for forgiveness then to ask for permission.......... Current Tank Info: 75 gal mixed reef, 216w LED, Remora Pro skimmer, HOB fuge, 400w htr, ATO RO/DI, 90lbs LR and 1" SB.

05/16/2012, 11:44 AM	#17
Reeferz412 Coral Hoarder Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,247	I had a ten gallon tank that I didn't want anymore, so I left it outside near my curb. I saw some guy stop by pick it up and throw in the middle of the street and drive off. Entertaining to say the least.... __________________ Alex FMAS Member Current Tank Info: 400 Gallons of frags... 30 gallon Deep Blue mixed reef ... 70 other tanks throughout south FL

05/16/2012, 12:25 PM	#20
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	In my city, trash collectors wont pick up aquariums. I have to take it to our local dump site. I would try to give it away except it has two holes and cracked on the back..useless. Just need to get it to the dump

05/16/2012, 12:39 PM	#22
ek9vboi Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South FL Posts: 3,027	I'm pretty sure if u leave it on a corner with a sign that says "FREE" someone will pick it up. I would, but I prefer a new tank considering the price isn't much more. It's an expensive hobby as it is already.