Going Vintage: Metaframe Tank?

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Hello fam!

I’m thinking of setting up a vintage metaframe aquarium as a little nano and was wondering if you think I could get away with it?

What could I do, if anything, to prevent the metal frame from rusting? It would just be so cool to set up!!

@Paul B

 

[Ippyroy]

I'd set it up as a display fuge with a mangrove and some red macros. I'd look into a simple organic wax to put on the metal. Put a few coats on it in the beginning and then add a coat a month.

 

[shwareefer]

Spar varnish is non toxic when cured but I would hesitate to put it on the upper rim closest to the water. I assume there is an underside to the metal rim that will be the splashiest zone? If so that's where it's going to rust like crazy and maybe a nice inconspicuous bead of silicone would be the trick there.

 

[colossal_tater]

I didn’t even try with saltwater for that reason. But I picked one up for $17 including stand from Goodwill (In Hixson near you @revhtree). I cut a piece of glass for the bottom and siliconed all the glass. Use black silicone and you won’t see it at all. I love this thing (ignore the ugly fake plant). I might try saltwater if someone has the solution to rust!

 

[Jeffcb]

I had a 5 gallon in the 60s!! It should be stainless steel?

 

[DCR]

I would make it a freshwater Betta tank.

 

[Dkeller_nc]

Rev - I've had several of these over the years. My suggestion would be to take the tank apart to remove all of the black phenolic compound that was originally used on the seams. That's an important step - the original sealant will not hold up to use, and black silicone that you can replace it with when you reassemble it will.

With the tank thus dissembled, you can spray the tank frame inside and out with several coats of polyurethane clear coat. That won't completely protect the frame from saltwater corrosion forever, but it should provide several years of rust inhibition as long as the clear coat isn't scratched.