[jostas]

Just picked up a 20 gallon metaframe from someone on craigslist. Looks like a 1960s model, with a stow-a-light hood. Needs some cleaning and polishing up, but the person I got it from said they resealed it - testing it for leaks now and not seeing anything yet!

Also came with two 15 watt bulbs, but the sticker in the hood says up to 25watt. & what looks like an original thermometer to me?

Thinking of making this into a shrimp tank with some scarlet badis - but open to ideas for substrates & stocking!

 

[Bree]

Wow, thats an interesting looking tank!
I have my 10 gallon from the 80's but it looks the same as the new ones only a little scratched.

 

[hydrophyte]

That is really cool. The hood on my 10G is all metal. Yours might be a somewhat later model.

 

[shrimpnmoss]

man...I love all these cool vintage tanks...I want one...

 

[jostas]

That is really cool. The hood on my 10G is all metal. Yours might be a somewhat later model.

thanks! are you using the original lighting or did you replace it? thinking of replacing it with new electronic ballasts.

 

[jostas]

man...I love all these cool vintage tanks...I want one...

thanks shrimpnmoss! I have never kept shrimp before, so thinking of making this or my 20L into a shrimp tank. do shrimp look best with dark substrate? can they be kept with badis?

 

[JRMott]

This looks like something out of cold war!

 

[Seattle_Aquarist]

Hi jostas,

BTW, that is the classic Metaframe thermometer as well! I would guess mid to late '60's, especially since the tank has the slate bottom; glass bottom versions started somewhere in the 70's.

 

[jostas]

Hi jostas,

BTW, that is the classic Metaframe thermometer as well! I would guess mid to late '60's, especially since the tank has the slate bottom; glass bottom versions started somewhere in the 70's.

Thanks for the info! I thought it must be the original thermometer, which is a cool find. I was guessing mid-sixties since it has the slate, but the hood is chrome with some plastic.

Going to pick up some substrate and test the lights this weekend, but leaning towards replacing them. I wonder how hot they'd make the hood? If they are still functional anyway.

 

[alan j t]

Score!!!

 

[jostas]

Score!!!

I know right! I'm pretty excited this thing isn't showing any signs of leaks so maybe I can get some substrate in it this weekend