Found ancient metaframe tank!!!

**acitydweller** · 10-12-2012, 02:21 PM

sweet. is that also a slate bottom?

**GraphicGr8s** · 10-12-2012, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seattle_Aquarist

Hi HighDesert,

Definitely a Metaframe brand (I should know I sold a ton of them; note the wider frame toward the bottom) a very nice find! The top frame can be 'spot welded', a bumper repair shop should be able to re-chrome the frame. Finding the black putty sealant that goes between the glass and metal frame may be a challenge but silicone would be an alternative.

The glass comes out in a particular order. It's been a lot of years so double check 'online' but I believe you remove the bottom first, then the two side panels, and finally the front and back.

Fun project!

The black putty hasn't been available for a long time. It's not really putty but an asphaltum product.

Silicone won't stick to the slate.

Heating it up will in some cases loosen the sealant and stop some leaks. Heat it up with a heat gun to remove glass if need be.

Slippryrock · 10-13-2012, 12:05 AM

I started out with a 20L just like that. It was my uncles. I used to love going to his house to see his fish. once i got a little older he gave it to me. it sat dry in a garage for a couple of years and it leaked in the middle of the slate bottom. sooo bummed. worked all summer doing odd jobs to buy a glass bottom tank. I still have that tank today and it holds water. that was roughly 30 years ago. Very nice find ! Use care on the stainless steel, it should shine up nice if you tank your time.

RukoTheWonderDog · 10-13-2012, 01:58 AM

I bought a ~15 gallon metaframe tank with a restoration in mind at an auction. After removing all of the caulk (an attempted repair by the previous owner) and the black sealant, I found the metal frame to be chrome plated steel and not SS. It was too rusted to salvage and ended up scraping the frame.

Hoping I can find a nicer SS framed tank at our annual auction.

Shangrila · 10-13-2012, 04:02 PM

Hi my first post here! I picked up a twenty gallon Metaframe tank about a month ago with the stand I wish it had the original SS hood. It has been empty for 30 years. I brought it home and filled it up and it was leaking. The only way to seal these tanks is to cut a piece of glass that will fit into the bottom tightly covering the slate then use GE black silicone I to seal the glass bottom to the side panes and seal the side panes together up the corners. You cannot use silicone on the slate-it won't stick to slate very well that's why you need to cover the slate wth glass. I cut a piece from and old storm window. My father and uncle used to breed show guppies in the sixties thru late seventies they had about 75 5 and 10 gallon Metaframe tanks in my uncles basement. As a kid I remember them sealing them the same way. Sometimes they would knock the slate out of the bottom and just put a piece of glass in its place. These tanks are really sharp once they are cleaned up and the metal trim is polished. BTW this is the best aquarium forum I have ever found!!

**MABJ** · 10-13-2012, 04:07 PM

Well welcome to TPT. I hope you enjoy it here :p

From MABJ's iPhone
2G Fluval Spec ~ fauna and flora in the works!

10-12-2012, 02:21 PM	#16
acitydweller ओं मणिपद्मे हूं (View User Tanks) PTrader: (150/100%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: New York, NY Posts: 6,299	sweet. is that also a slate bottom? __________________ Namaste ओं मणिपद्मे हूं My life extends far beyond the limitations of me Keeper of the LIST

10-13-2012, 01:58 AM	#19
RukoTheWonderDog Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (24/100%) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 225	I bought a ~15 gallon metaframe tank with a restoration in mind at an auction. After removing all of the caulk (an attempted repair by the previous owner) and the black sealant, I found the metal frame to be chrome plated steel and not SS. It was too rusted to salvage and ended up scraping the frame. Hoping I can find a nicer SS framed tank at our annual auction. __________________ 180 High Tech Planted SA Community Emersed rare Crypts Journal I have 1 bag of Akadama Double Red Line Medium still available....PM me.

10-13-2012, 04:07 PM	#21
MABJ Invert Warrior (View User Tanks) PTrader: (12/100%) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: NY Posts: 3,305	Well welcome to TPT. I hope you enjoy it here :p From MABJ's iPhone 2G Fluval Spec ~ fauna and flora in the works! __________________ Check out my tanks: Mark's Almost ADA \|18" Long DBP Tank \|10" Tall CRS Spec \| .5 Gallon cube \| New to shrimp? Need help? Check out these threads: \|Essential tools to buy\|List of inverts\|Sage advice\| Mark A Belcher Junior, A proud member: DBP Club

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10-13-2012, 12:05 AM	#18
Slippryrock Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Jackson, MI Posts: 135	I started out with a 20L just like that. It was my uncles. I used to love going to his house to see his fish. once i got a little older he gave it to me. it sat dry in a garage for a couple of years and it leaked in the middle of the slate bottom. sooo bummed. worked all summer doing odd jobs to buy a glass bottom tank. I still have that tank today and it holds water. that was roughly 30 years ago. Very nice find ! Use care on the stainless steel, it should shine up nice if you tank your time.

10-13-2012, 04:02 PM	#20
Shangrila Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: New York City Posts: 195	Hi my first post here! I picked up a twenty gallon Metaframe tank about a month ago with the stand I wish it had the original SS hood. It has been empty for 30 years. I brought it home and filled it up and it was leaking. The only way to seal these tanks is to cut a piece of glass that will fit into the bottom tightly covering the slate then use GE black silicone I to seal the glass bottom to the side panes and seal the side panes together up the corners. You cannot use silicone on the slate-it won't stick to slate very well that's why you need to cover the slate wth glass. I cut a piece from and old storm window. My father and uncle used to breed show guppies in the sixties thru late seventies they had about 75 5 and 10 gallon Metaframe tanks in my uncles basement. As a kid I remember them sealing them the same way. Sometimes they would knock the slate out of the bottom and just put a piece of glass in its place. These tanks are really sharp once they are cleaned up and the metal trim is polished. BTW this is the best aquarium forum I have ever found!!