Found a really cool tank today

[infernalis]

We were driving to the store when I noticed a whole pile of aquarium items in a front lawn, there were contractors remodeling, so the pile was junk they removed:D

The tank is just incredible, it is a 20 tall, has CHROME all around it and a slate bottom:D

The right side glass has a big crack, but since I am not using any water in it, I just sealed the whole side off to keep the lucky snake from getting cut on any edge that may expose itself.

Once I have it all set up, I'll take a picture or two.

[Garter_Gertie]

Lucky dog! That's an antique. You can't get slate bottoms enkneemore.

That was back when *I* was a kid.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Wayne, I have this SAME exact tank. Slate bottom, 20 high, with chrome borders. Really a lovely, heavy thing isnt it?!?! Mine has been sittting empty in the basement for quite some time....

uh oh... ECS kicking in...

no no. empty cage syndrome = bad, bad shannon.

[Garter_Gertie]

GO, SHANNON! GO, SHANNON! GO, SHANNON! GO, SHANNON!

One must do what one must do. Any empty tank is a lonely tank...

[infernalis]

got the glass all clean, polishing the chrome....

Who to move??? Have too many awesome snakes tucked in tote boxes, so it will be tough to chose who gets the chrome:D

I also got a brass needle valve gang, 2 double air pumps, 3 heaters, a light hood and some filter supplies... woo hoo gotta love other peoples trash:eek:

[crzy_kevo]

nice wayne you lucky dog you

[anji1971]

Great find, Wayne!
I love it when people throw away good stuff!
I'm constantly scanning the curbsides for empty aquariums. All I've managed is a regular 10G, but Toadie seems very happy in it!:)

[infernalis]

This is the second one in 2 weeks time, curbside:D

The first one last week, was one of the cheap plastic framed ones like they sell now.

The baby garters don't know the difference:cool:

[zooplan]

All my enclosers are made to measure.
A few I´ve built on my own when worked for a terrarium builder a few years ago.
I allway try to keep at least one tank emty, to seperate an ill snake for example or something else.

[infernalis]

The nice thing about aquariums Udo, they have a standard for sizing:D

I have 2 twenty gallon tall tanks, and a 35 gallon tank that are exactly the same height (equally tall) so they look great on a shelf, side by side.

When PETCO has the tank sale, I'l be getting a few 20 longs, all the same to occupy another shelf.

when I build a wooden enclosure, I build them all 24 inches tall, keeps things uniform:)

However, this chrome one looks so nice, and stands out so well, I already placed my adult Puget sound (Sky) in there to show him off in style.

We have several poly tubs (tote boxes) ready for emergency housing.

[Stefan-A]

The nice thing about aquariums Udo, they have a standard for sizing:D
Not over here. :rolleyes:

[infernalis]

Not over here. :rolleyes:

Buying pre-fab screen covers must be a nightmare:eek:

[Stefan-A]

Buying pre-fab screen covers must be a nightmare:eek:
Buying what now? :D

[infernalis]

Oh that's right, I forgot:D

[Bill]

Hi Wayne, What you found is a tank made by a company called Metaframe and they have been out of business for quite some time now. The nice thing about that is that it pre dates silicone. The glass can be a easy fix if you are handy. The tank is put together with a product called bituminus tape. It can be picked up at a auto motive glass shop. If your interested you can drop me a email. bmssammon@comcast.net

[Garter_Gertie]

I'd love to have nothing but those antique tanks, the kind I grew up with. How retro! They alone would make great objects'de art. They are so cool!

[infernalis]

Some of the stuff that was in the tank was just as cool to find.

There are 2 Japanese pulsar dual air pumps, and new rebuild kits for both, still in the boxes. (How many cheap air pumps have replaceable insides??)

That brass gang valve, filters, tubing.....

Just about everything I need to start farming my own minnows:D

As Bill so kindly pointed out, even that tank is rebuild able! try replacing a cracked pane on a modern tank:rolleyes: That's an art form best left to the pros..

But this one, no sweat.. There is a glass shop right down the street that will sell me a panel cut to size for a decent price. A little savvy and time, presto good as new.

For now, I just sealed the edges of the crack with clear tape, and it's hardly noticeable.

Then yesterday, Dorothy and I found these 2 counter units out in my barn covered with a tarp, yippee

Drug them out in the yard, wiped off all the dust, cleaned off the spiders and webs, they are a little used, but solid.

Put them in the reptile room last night, going to home depot today to get tops for them, and 2 shelves (The pegs were there, shelves are missing)

The original farm house that used to sit here burned down in 1994, so the only remaining treasures are to be found in that big barn out back.

[crzy_kevo]

can you post some pics of this tank wayne

[Lori P]

I see those old slate bottom offered on Craig's List here from time to time, but, they're so darn heavy I haven't gone for one... but they are cool. Can't wait to see yours all done up, Wayne!!

[Kevin_is_a_herper12]

get a pic up jeez I want to see this tank ahaha

[Snake lover 3-25]

pics!!!! i wanna see it too!!!:eek:

[sschind]

When I bought my store 10 years ago one of the wholesalers I deal with had about 100 of those tanks in their warehouse. Brand new, but real old, with the stickers still on the front. I think they broke them up because now I see a couple of 4 foot high piles of slate stacked in one corner. They still have a quite a few of the stainless steel cornered all glass tanks thought (glass bottom instead of slate) I've tried to get them to sell me some but the owner won't sell any.

[infernalis]

Here is your picture....

The lower right is where it is.

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/1fun/rack.jpg

[crzy_kevo]

very nice wayne too bad sky wasn't out for the photo shoot

[Snake lover 3-25]

wow very nice!!!!:D

[infernalis]

very nice wayne too bad sky wasn't out for the photo shoot

Sky is due to shed any day now, so he is playing bashful.

As soon as he sloughs I will take some pics, he is "Bluest" right after his shed.

He's in the 20 tall up top with the freaky wood thing ($3 at petco in the bargain bin!) he loves that stupid looking trinket, and spends hours wraped through those holes.

Those dog dishes all have openings at the bottom, fount them at the dollar store.


The chrome tank has a dozen het for anery parietalis babies hiding under the double water dish, the siblings to Kyle, Sid, Tinas & (soon) Shannon & Dons babies.

[anji1971]

That's a nice little tower o' tanks you've got there, Wayne!;)

[infernalis]

Thanks Anji, I need to stand back and photo all of it:D

Someday when the room is finished:eek:

[anji1971]

I'm just waiting on a ginormous tank that I've been promised. Then I can take all the little ones and make my own tower.
I'd love to see pics of all your setup, Wayne. I'm sure you've got quite the collection of enclosures.........:)

[crzy_kevo]

hbig a tank are you getting anji?

[anji1971]

I haven't seen it yet, but at the moment it's home to an 6 foot long boa. He is outgrowing the tank, and the owner told me it's mine when they replace it. I'm guessing at least 5 feet long by 2ft wide, maybe more. It's going to hold my Eastern Girl Gang!:D

[crzy_kevo]

very cool i wonder where you will put that monster tank

[anji1971]

Well, I'll most likely have to relocate the sofa table. Or maybe one of the sofas........:D

[infernalis]

I know the feeling, read the petco sale thread:eek:

[crzy_kevo]

ya i think i might ask my dad to get me a couple 20 longs lol (he lives in michigan)

[GartersRock]

I bet you all have more room then I do... ALL my snakes are stuffed in my bedroom. Rofl!! I can't WAIT until I can make a snake room...

[anji1971]

How the hell do you get 60 snakes in one bedroom???
Is there actually a bed in there, or are you banished to the couch?:eek:

[GartersRock]

I don't know... Lol! Twin size bed in the corner and thats it for me!! lol!

[anji1971]

It is still a bit more room than I've got.
I have a sofa table...............:rolleyes:

[GartersRock]

Cool!! *thumbs up* ;)

[jitami]

I have a sofa table...............:rolleyes:

I need a sofa table :rolleyes:

Sly is usually on the entertainment center, sometimes on the bar in the kitchen. Either way I have to climb on something to reach into his tank. The babies' tank is already set up behind my monitor on my desk so I can watch them all day :D

Yeah, a sofa table would work well :o

[anji1971]

Yeah, but ALL I have is a sofa table for them.:D

[jitami]

But it's still better than NO sofa table :D :p

[anji1971]

Send me your entertainment center, and I'll send you the sofa table.:D

[jitami]

Send me your entertainment center, and I'll send you the sofa table.:D


LOL, Deal! The kids and hubby may not like it... OH, wait, if I just get rid of the TV instead of the entertainment center then I can put tanks down lower :D Nevermind... :D

[anji1971]

See, there's always a solution if you think hard enough!;)

[Zephyr]

Hmm... I never thought of putting my garters on house-hold casual holding appliances... One must try this... XD

[infernalis]

Hmm idea time, take an old console TV, gut it, and put in some glass where the picture tube used to be, seal it all off, and presto a really classy snake enclosure!!

Kinda like my vision of using an old office water cooler for an aquarium, only plumb the faucet so you can still draw drinking water from the tap:D

[Garter_Gertie]

My 'entertainment' center is more like a larger version of sofa table, but with a cabinet part. Peepers and Jeepers are right next to the TV. Kenabec and Niizh have to go into a 10 gal since they're just wee little hatchlings. And that will fit right next to my monitor! :D

[GartersRock]

Sometimes stuff gets set out in the living room. And then the family complains.

[Garter_Gertie]

Sometimes stuff gets set out in the living room. And then the family complains.

Simple solution... Ditch the family! :D:eek::D

[Snake lover 3-25]

lol same here!!!! my parents yell at me constantly for leaving snake stuff around the house!!!!!:D

[GartersRock]

Lol!! Good idea!! :)

[hdamasio]

Hi guys, i'm new here.
My name is Hugo and i'm 20.

I just would like to ask if i can keep a single male in a tank with 80x45x45 ( cm ) ?


Thank you :D

P.S - By the way sorry about my english, i'm from Portugal :rolleyes:

[infernalis]

Welcome Hugo.

That tank would work, but it would be a little small for long term.

[garterchick]

you think that's too small for a single male? that's almost the same dimentions as a 20 long.

[Loren]

According to google, those measurements are just over 30" by 17" by 17".
Thats plenty big for any garter, in my opinion. Also far bigger than a 20 long. Picture a 29 gallon thats as wide as it is tall.

[infernalis]

I used my kids school ruler, oops :D

[crzy_kevo]

ya that is a good sized tank :D lol wayne you silly

[Loren]

I used my kids school ruler, oops :D
:D



.

[Snake lover 3-25]

OMG!!!!! I found one!!!!!!:eek: it's a 55 gal one and it comes with acessories!!!!!!!!! whoo hoo!!!!! and the best part????? only $30!!!!!!!!!:D:D YES!!!!!!!! I am going to get it/ look at it tues!!!!!!!!

[reptile3]

Awesome tank set up, :-)



Here is your picture....

The lower right is where it is.

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/1fun/rack.jpg

[Garter_Gertie]

Bonus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[crzy_kevo]

congrats shanley hope you get it :d

[GartersRock]

Awesome Shanley!!

[Snake lover 3-25]

me too!!!! only downside is it prob. weighs 175+lbs......

[hdamasio]

Guys just one question..does garters smells really bad ? :D

[GartersRock]

lol!!! Not at all!! The only thing that smells is poop and thats SUPER easy to keep clean!! lol. Just a weekly cleaning will do. And it barely smells at all anyways. So no. Not at all. ;)

[Loren]

Guys just one question..does garters smells really bad ? :D
Except when they are still getting used to be handled, and they musk on you- that stinks very badly.

[Garter_Gertie]

Honest, I Peeps & Jeeps poos don't stink. To me. Nor does Peeps' musk. Smells kind'a fishy... But not bad. Just the way my guys smell (shrugs shoulders)>

[jitami]

I've always thought the same thing Gertie... figured it was just my nose, but garter musk really doesn't bother me... smells kinda like a dirty fish tank... not entirely pleasant, but not that big of a deal, either.

[crzy_kevo]

garter musk doesn't really bother me either i have smelled way worse things

[Snake lover 3-25]

what a jerk!!!!! the guy that i was going to get my cage from found out that it was worth alot more than $30 which he was going to sell it to me for... then he stops replying to my emails and goes back on craigslist and puts it up as "RARE 55 gallon tank $175" WHAT A JERK!!!!!!!!!! i hate people like that!!!!:mad:

[Lori P]

Er, and what's so rare about it??!! Sorry Shanley...

[Snake lover 3-25]

lol it was the same as the one this thread is about except it was a 55 gal:) :( it had a slate bottom and a metal frame....:(

[Lori P]

Well... look at it like this. It would have been an exceptionally heavy tank. Now you can look for a "newer" 55 gallon that won't require a forklift to move. LOL That really was a crappy stunt for him to pull on you, tho.

[infernalis]

That's right, a crappy stunt...

Look at it this way, you can find tanks all over for a lot less, and you didn't need that one.

The one I found curbside has no value to me but as a garter cage, you would have felt the same way.

I don't know if anyone "collects" aquariums, so he may have a hard time selling it at the new inflated price.

[Snake lover 3-25]

yeah lol i already got one lol gust wanted to rant that that one would have been cooler lol

[infernalis]

Know what, Mine looks out of place, kinda off.

Here is a tower of glass, all newer tanks, and one clunky old chrome toaster looking thing......

I'd trade it for a new 20 tall without hesitation.

[Snake lover 3-25]

really?? ha that's funny:D so i got a 55 gal and what the guy said was a 10 gal(actually a 20) as well as 2 lamps and both the screen tops the 20 gal has a sliding screen!!!!!:eek: and he gave me a hide and 2 water dishes as well:D for only $75!!!!:eek:

[infernalis]

Now that is a deal!:D:D

[mtolypetsupply]

Simple solution... Ditch the family! :D:eek::D


I'll trade a hybrid husband, probably a PIG/man mix or a pig/man/packrat mix, for a Florida Blue or Puget, if anyone's interested.

LOL!
:)

Stephi

[Snake lover 3-25]

i know!!!!:eek: soooo happy i got it:D but i did have to pay my sis $20 to go out and get it.... it's like 45-60mins away.......

[Garter_Gertie]

I got a 10g and stand (plus lid, light, filter, blah, blah, blah - all those fishy things I don't care about) for $5.00 at a garage sale last weekend.

Still... I'd kill for one of those old fashioned ones. Guy was a jerk, renigging and raising the price. Bet you he never sells it for that.

[Snake lover 3-25]

i hope not lol:D

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

there are some real jerks out there... jerks is the only name of choice I can use without getting censored... haha!

I literally just two weeks ago was given a 4 foot Dumeril's ground boa, along with her 30g tank, stand, top, lamp, hidey, heat mat and water bowl all for free. Unfortunately for the boa... the person had allowed the snake to become a forgotten pet, the heat mat was unplugged, the lamp was under the stand with a burned out bulb in it, the water bowl had a thick slime coating of algae 1/2 inch thick, and even the hidey was not in there! the snake was just in the bare tank with PINE (ugh) bedding. She's so much happier now! and luckily, I paid nothing for the whole setup :D

[Garter_Gertie]

Now THAT'S a STEAL of a deal!

I keep cruising craigslist for such a deal on garters/hoggies/maybe other kinds of snakes, but haven't found anything since I've actually been able to put the poor thing some place.

Fabulous find, Shannon!

[Lori P]

I've had a GREAT week on Craig's List-- every so often you can find awesome deals. I've ended up with a 40 gallon breeder with top and lights, & two 55 gallons with tops and stands, all for $100. And one of the ladies threw in one of those old "rare" (LOL) tanks-- the slate bottom & chrome sides. I think it's a 20 tall.

So this weekend I'll be finding space and decorating and moving snakes! :-) And getting one of the 55's ready for the similis coming next week... :-)

[infernalis]

I call that a bargain!

Sweet haul!! happy dance all the way:D

I wish I could find that deal, a "tower" of 55 gallon tanks would be sooooo cool.

[Snake lover 3-25]

wow that's a really great deal!!!!!!:D

[infernalis]

My turn again:D

Today we had given to us absolutely free....

a 55 gallon, (with large female red Oscar) 2 10 gallons (miscl. goldfish) a 2 gallon hex (complete with Beta)

Transferred the goldfish to our daughters aquarium, gave her the other 10 gallon, and now need to find a good home for the Oscar....

Cleaning the 55 up for snakies:D

Strike the oscar comment, Dorothy fell in love with it already! Setting up that 29 gallon from the petco sale, I get that 55 gallon!!!

[jitami]

LOL I've looked at freebie tanks with giant fish already in them, but have a feeling I'd end up in the same predicament as Dorothy... and I don't want any giant fish!!! LOL Figure if I don't even look at them I'm safe :)

[Zephyr]

You may want to keep the oscar in the 55 Wayne. That's the bear minimum for that fishy fiend. :eek:

[Sid]

Ok, so I'm really late responding to this thread:(. I like the old tanks and have only one, an old 3 gallon that's pre-crome frame era.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/old_3_gal.jpg

[olive oil]

I once had a huge Oscar would take worms from my hand and, wiggle & shake when I would walk pass him. Very easy to fall in love with!!!

[Lori P]

Jeffy my goldfish does that... he goes wiggle crazy as soon as he sees me, and eats from my hand. I love his little wiggle dance!!! Wayne, yeah, I think Oscars need at the minimum a 55 and I hear a 75 is better...

[Garter_Gertie]

Sid, it's GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'd take it in a heartbeat.

Dekay, honey... You're going to need WAY BIGGER'UN a 55 gal for tat Oscar. They get bigger'un serving platters.

Good news, they come to know their owners and come to the side o'the tank, up to the top o'the water to be fed... They're "affectionate."

But 55 gal will hardly let your guy turn around...

[Garter_Gertie]

HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE!!!! I just cabbaged onto a 30 gal CHROME AND SLATE tank, no breaks/cracks, for $25.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I GOT ONE!!!

[infernalis]

Woot Woot!!!

[Garter_Gertie]

Yeah, I'm pretty excited. I think it's a steal. A 'regular' 30 gal would be good at that price - though of course lower would be better.

But it's the slate/chrome deallybob. *I* feel like I robbed the guy blind! LOL!!!

Thanks, Dekay!

[Garter_Gertie]

Sid/Dekay, the metal on my tank is not the best and in some places a little rusted(?) and rough. Is there something I can use to spif up the metal and make it more attractive?

[snakesRme]

Quoted:"Today we had given to us absolutely free....a 55 gallon, (with large female red Oscar) 2 10 gallons (miscl. goldfish) a 2 gallon hex (complete with Beta)..."

Wha??? A free 55 gal? I just bought one (had to buy it outright, Tampa has a shortage of cheap/free tanks because we just had a snake expo and are having another on in 2 weeks) and I KNOW what they cost. Not only that, when my Colombian RTB graduates up from this one in a year or two I may be living outside myself -- this tank is huge.

[infernalis]

There is a number of polishing products, the auto parts section of a store may carry a chrome restoration kit.

If the rust is deep, and rotting the frame apart, an epoxy like JB weld may be used to fill in the gaps, then sanded to conform.

Rust oleulm spray paint comes in chrome as well, duct tape the glass just the same as you would a car.

Hope that helps...

[jitami]

Masking tape will be easier to remove after the paint job than duct :)

[infernalis]

That's what I meant, Thanks Tam for pointing out my brain fart.:eek:

[infernalis]

Another cool freebie today. This is a 10 gallon with a bow front:D

Going to set it up for the baby Dekayi snakes... The 20 long I have them in is overkill, and my Snow Eastern is getting bigger by the minute, so I need to get her out of the Radix tank and on her own.. Works out great:cool:

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/bowfront.jpg

[reptile3]

Very nice Wayne!!!! the baby dekayi's will love you even more...+:)


Another cool freebie today. This is a 10 gallon with a bow front:D

Going to set it up for the baby Dekayi snakes... The 20 long I have them in is overkill, and my Snow Eastern is getting bigger by the minute, so I need to get her out of the Radix tank and on her own.. Works out great:cool:

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/bowfront.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

I bet your babies would say "tanks" if they could. Looks like you're spoiling them Wayne. Keep up the good work. It just intensifies the addiction!

[NetBSD]

damn good deal ont hat 10 gallon bow front, i was just at the local shop and seen the exact same thing for $45 :eek:

[infernalis]

The "deal" was even better, it had a "whisper" filter, new cartridges, 2 new bulbs for the light hood, a new bottle of fish food, plants, gravel, 2 nets and a gravel cleaning tool. (3 fish)

I gave our daughter the rest of the stuff for her tank in her bedroom.

Silly girl put the fish in with her albino frogs, then she came out of her room screaming....

The frogs ate my new fishie!

She got the other 2 out in time and moved them to her other tank that has no frogs in it.

[guidofatherof5]

One of those mistakes she'll never make again. Hope she's doing allright, now.

[infernalis]

One of those mistakes she'll never make again. Hope she's doing allright, now.

She's fine, but she had to give me the fish back, they are in my feeder tank (as decorations)

This morning I checked on them, and one had bits of it's tail fin gone, the other fish were harassing them, so I put them in my snake room.

The woman that gave me the set up was going to flush the fish and give the tank setup to the Salvation Army.

I had just repaired her computer, and she asked me if I wanted the stuff, So of course I said yes.

[reptile3]

Sooo you fix computers? Aundrea needs her's fixed!! LOL

that was nice of her to give you all that stuff!!!


She's fine, but she had to give me the fish back, they are in my feeder tank (as decorations)

This morning I checked on them, and one had bits of it's tail fin gone, the other fish were harassing them, so I put them in my snake room.

The woman that gave me the set up was going to flush the fish and give the tank setup to the Salvation Army.

I had just repaired her computer, and she asked me if I wanted the stuff, So of course I said yes.

[infernalis]

Sooo you fix computers? Aundrea needs her's fixed!! LOL

that was nice of her to give you all that stuff!!!

Have Aundria bring it by the shop:D

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Well, soon I am supposed to be recieving anoth 75 gallon setup complete with a 5 foot brazilian rainbow boa...

but I also scored a REALLY neat tank today... a custom made cage that was built for housing crested gecko's.... but will now be snake-proofed for a medium sized snake by me! The guy built and painted it all himself... its very light, it's about 3 feet in length but i could lift it with one arm! THe paint is acrylic, but it could still chip, so I'm going to give that a coating to make it permanent and washable.

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/6843001.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/6843004.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/6843006.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

oh forgot to mention... the part that needs snake-proofing is the lid. It's just a piece of weird plastic stuff with holes in it that they sloppily painted green, duct taped screen to, and just cut it to fit the top and set it in there, it doesn't fasten or anything.... I am going to use the staple gun and staple screen all the way around the top and then top that with wood screwed into place for a finished look and an escape proof cage...

why they took all that time to build such a gorgeous cage and then fudged the lid is beyond me!!!

[guidofatherof5]

Sound like a cool project with a great out come for the snakes. Nice find.

[Snake lover 3-25]

wow sweet cage shannon!!!!!:D

[infernalis]

Found another one of those awesome slate bottom tanks with a steel frame, This time it's a 55 gallon tall!!

The woman who gave it to me said it leaks water, I looked it over and the rubber seals are cracked, But since I'm going to use it for a snake viv, I don't care if it leaks.

I'm going to have to build a cover for it though, it has some really odd dimensions so I don't think any commercially available screen tops are going to fit.

Pics after I clean it up, it's been sitting empty for a few years.

[guidofatherof5]

Sounds like a good deal and a great project.

[infernalis]

Goint to play "musical cages"

My corn snake is in a 20 tall, he has outgrown that, so I will use this for him, then clean out the 20 tall and move my adult flame (Masubius) to the 20 tall, then use her 20 long for my 2010 babies..

[guidofatherof5]

Goint to play "musical cages"

My corn snake is in a 20 tall, he has outgrown that, so I will use this for him, then clean out the 20 tall and move my adult flame (Masubius) to the 20 tall, then use her 20 long for my 2010 babies..

Sounds like a plan. I did kind of the same thing in my big snake room. I moved all my non-garters to the small snake room and put them in breeder tanks.
This way the big room is "Garter Heaven"

[Snakers]

nice pickup

[mustang]

i want a cage like that.. thats amazing...what are the dimensions

[infernalis]

I'll measure it and post.. Still need to clean it up, it's a heavy tank.

[ConcinusMan]

It's funny that people born in the era of "all glass aquariums" aren't even aware that back in the day, tanks were extremely heavy and held together by heavy metal frames. One would never dare to make the glass thinner or have glass bottoms. Today it's all thin glass and just a plastic frame at top and bottom.

To find an intact heavy, metal framed tank these days is rare. When I was a kid, that's all we could get. Like these. And they were very expensive compared to todays tanks. You had to be pretty well off to afford even a modest aquarium.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3557/3341696852_8d05bf882c_b.jpg

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:gWnbC2tKHLQsnM:http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x242/austinado16/Strippedsideview.jpg&t=1

[Selkielass]

I grew up with tanks like that- they are amazingly strong and resistant to corner bumps, but Leaks were always a big problem. Resealing seams taht developed leaks was a real nightmare. Modern sealers are truly amazing in retrospect.

I've seen Victorian tanks framed in decorative cast iron work with relatively small viewing panels. Gorgeous but probably a real pain to maintain.

[infernalis]

Figured out how to get a top on it, I'm going to use plywood and drill the top frame to allow small machine screws to bolt the top on.

If I cut a door into the plywood, I can install hinges and a lock, should turn out great.