HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hello again!

So I've been on the look out for used 75G tanks first and I've been able to check out 3 of them in my area so far.

All 3 have been Aqueon (sp?) and all 3 owners said the same thing for why they were getting rid of it. After X amount of time when they weren't able to take it back to the store for a refund or a switch, the tanks started leaking due to REALLY bad sealing jobs and the glass panes not being flush.

Since I wouldn't be using the tank for water, I checked them out and boy were they a mess. Sloppy sealant, gaps where there was none and on one tank in particular you just could eyeball it and see it wasn't put together flush if you could bend down and get level with it. All 3 of them were between 2 - 14 years old and just sitting in storage after their fish mishaps.

The two major brands I'm familiar with/heard of are Aqueon and Marineland. I know there's also more expensive ones for terrariums, vivariums, plad-something... they have special doors and such. I'd just want a plain fish tank.

My question is, again even though the tank wouldn't be for fish would sloppy construction like this possibly pose problems?

I don't think the sealant would necessarily be a big concern but if it's sloppy and crabs dig down, would they pick at it an try to eat it?

Also the ones that aren't flush/level.. could that lead to a cracked bottom or something over time?

My budget is set up for brand new, but I thought I'd try and find used to help recycle - plus it would give me more play/wiggle room money wise to set up an ISO tank but now I'm not so sure. Just wanted to get some opinions from everyone.

Plus if these 3 people got their tanks like this as brand new, that's worrying too...right, or not?

I've bought a lot of new and used tanks over time for crabs, fish, and other animals. The only really sloppy ones I've seen (similar to your descriptions) have had panes replaced by the owners after they cracked/broke under the owner's care. I've never seen a poorly sealed/ill-lined up job from the factory.

The main thing I look for when buying used is for the tank to have clear, not stained seals. If they are stained blue or green that means someone at some point has used methylene blue or malachite green in the tanks. Both of these substances are common "remedies" in fishkeeping but are toxic to crabs. Even the small amount that leached into the seals can potentially leach back out. No worth the risk, IMO.

mool wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 17, 2021 3:40 pm

The main thing I look for when buying used it to have clear, not stained seals. If they are stained blue or green that means someone at some point has used methylene blue or malachite green in the tanks. Both of these substances are common "remedies" in fishkeeping but are toxic to crabs. Even the small amount that leached into the seals can potentially leach back out. No worth the risk, IMO.

Ahh okay I had no idea. I've heard of MB but never used it with my fish in the past, MG is new to me. One of the tanks did have discolored sealant at the bottom but it was kind of an orangey-rust like color so I guessed diatoms or something and they just didn't clean it that well.

I opted to not go with either of the 3, so am still looking. I'll save this info, thank you again so much!

You're welcome! Orangey seals are usually dirt, diatoms, or rust. All should wipe off with a finger.