Have you ever seen a tank like this?

[TrashmanNYC]

I picked this up today. I really only bought it for the stand that came with it. Its a really strange tank that I've never seen before. Its a 55g and it has some kind of metal frame and i have no idea what the bottom "pane" is. Its not glass, its some kind of solid material. The bottom is gray and the tank is heavier than a normal 55g. The guy that i bought it from got it in some kind of estate auction so he didnt know anything about it. It did have aquarium gravel in it and some fake plants, so im assuming it was used for fish. I was hoping someone could shed some light on it.
http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/9210/081an.jpg
http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/4505/082gc.jpg
http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/7381/083dep.jpg
http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/5061/084bu.jpg
http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/767/085gs.jpg

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[Pete]

The bottom looks like slate and I assume that's an old metaframe aquarium.

[fischfan13]

Ummmm, yeah...it's what we used have some years ago.
Metal Frames and Slate bottoms.

[TrashmanNYC]

Interesting. I got the tank and stand for $40.

[CrabbyMatty]

Worse thing that can happen with those tanks is to have them emptied out. Leaking is common afterwards. I do like their look though. I had several back in the day.

[bassgenie]

My first big tank was one of those.

[jfilip]

I have one in use right now it's a 55 gal that's in the wall it's 40 yrs. Old as long there is water in it usually there is no problems.

[TrashmanNYC]

Worse thing that can happen with those tanks is to have them emptied out. Leaking is common afterwards. I do like their look though. I had several back in the day.

Whys that?

[CrabbyMatty]

Whys that?

I think the slate would expand and contract and that lead to leakage. The real old ones weren't sealed with silicone. Silicone does remain flexible and it looked like your tank is sealed with that, so you may not have a problem. Only one way to find out though.

[TrashmanNYC]

I'm gonna fill it up tomorrow.

[DJRansome]

Brings back memories...

[toddnbecka]

They're actually pretty popular now, some folks love the retro look and will pay good money for them. The putty that seals the tank tends to dry out if the tank sits empty for any length of time, but a heat gun will soften and reseal it again.
We had a Metaframe 20 long back in the early 70's, had a matching steel hood with incadescent light fixture. Dynaflo motor filter hung on the back, big improvement over the old plastic corner box filter filled with floss and activated charcoal.
When silicone sealant was improved considerably the all-glass tanks took their place.

[dsap92]

My very first tanks were given to me back in 83' . They were (3) 10 gallons with the metal frames and slate bottoms. Haven't seen one of those in many years.

[bovsbaitboxes]

I would reseal before trusting it I agree with matt the slate for some reason causes them to leak I bought 2 from some old guy he had about 3 inches of water in about 20 of them said that you have to keep the slate moist (he hadnt had fish in years he said) good luck:beerchug:

[gregga]

my first exposure to this hobby was my dad's 125g in our living room with slate bottom and metal framing....definitely brings back memories.....

[TrashmanNYC]

We have a leaker. :sad-smiley-002:

[Johnnyb76]

That sucks....we're you planning on using it anyways? Seal it up...

[bovsbaitboxes]

it is easy to seal I just put silicone over old silicone but you can cut most of it out is is easy with slate bottom tanks good luck:beerchug:

[TrashmanNYC]

Anybody have any nostalgic interest in the tank that would like to have it and re-seal it?
Maybe we can make some kind of trade or something.

[fishboy]

Ummmm, yeah...it's what we used have some years ago.
Metal Frames and Slate bottoms.

isnt that the tank ARTIE invented when they were inventing the wheel:whistle:

[bassgenie]

Anybody have any nostalgic interest in the tank that would like to have it and re-seal it?
Maybe we can make some kind of trade or something.

If you can build a plow, you can reseal that tank...

[TrashmanNYC]

If you can build a plow, you can reseal that tank...

:becky:

[Tony]

They're actually pretty popular now, some folks love the retro look and will pay good money for them. The putty that seals the tank tends to dry out if the tank sits empty for any length of time, but a heat gun will soften and reseal it again.


+1. Rachel (msjinkzd) has done this with quite a few metaframes. Give it a shot. The black putty/sealant will melt pretty easily and reseal no problemo.

[grundsau]

I resealed a 55 many years ago. I just cut most of the dry black stuff out, cleaned the slate really good with alcohol. I siliconed all the inside corners. You can also get a piece of glass cut and put it over the slate and try resealing it that way.