How to storage empty aquarium???

[lilkiwi930]

So I bought a 75g tank with a sump as well. Hand built by a friend. We are not upgrading until we buy a house this winter.

It has been in a storage that I pay month to month for. But I've heard to not keep empty aquariums in a storage unit thats not tempature controlled during the winter.

I am wondering if this is true? Because if so I need to relocate my tank.

 

[JCTReefer]

I can’t comment on the temperature thing. Silicone has a wide temperature range. I’m sure storing at room temperature would be ideal. I would definitely store it level though. Some cheap shims from Home Depot or Lowe’s should do the trick.

 

[KingTideCorals]

Keeping level where stored and at room temperature are the key components to storing a tank.. too much heat or too much cold can be bad for tanks (glass) and the silicone.

 

[JCTReefer]

I can tell you I have a custom 210 sitting in my garage waiting for me to finish building the stand. It’s been sitting there for two months. Leveled of course. It’s been 110 degrees here. I asked the tank builder if it would be alright in the garage for a couple of months until the stand was complete. He said it would be fine. And I stressed that I am from Texas and it gets hot as h*ll here in the summer. I’m not sure about tanks sitting through a cold winter though. In my mind I’m thinking cold would be worse than heat. Not positive about that though.

 

[lilkiwi930]

I can tell you I have a custom 210 sitting in my garage waiting for me to finish building the stand. It’s been sitting there for two months. Leveled of course. It’s been 110 degrees here. I asked the tank builder if it would be alright in the garage for a couple of months until the stand was complete. He said it would be fine. And I stressed that I am from Texas and it gets hot as h*ll here in the summer. I’m not sure about tanks sitting through a cold winter though. In my mind I’m thinking cold would be worse than heat. Not positive about that though.

Yeah my tank has been in storage probably since April or May. I think I'm gonna end up moving it somewhere where its tempature controlled. To be safe during winter.

 

[BlennyTime]

The problem is swings in temperature, if things get hot and cold repeatedly then it can cause things to crack and separate as different materials shrink and expand differently. Think sidewalks and streets, all the cracks you see there. But it probably isn’t an issue unless you store it long term or are in an extreme climate.

 

[Biglew11]

Temperature Extremes can weaken, deteriorate the silicon. Doesn't affect the strength of glass though.

 

[Eggs]

I kept a glass 180g in an Ohio garage for the winter with no issues.

On the flips side, I’ve had a 125g in a Florida garage for over 3 years and just took it out last week for a leak test and there’s no issue.

 

[sam2110]

Based on my experience in the building and maintenance trade. Silicone can become damaged by the cold if it is wet when exposed to very cold temperatures, normally if its exposed to cold conditions when dry it doesn't cause any issues. Extreme cold temperatures will cause issues wet or dry. On the other hand Silicone can be exposed to very high temperatures when wet but if exposed to high temperatures when dry it will cause damage.

Silicone is a very versatile material and should be fine if kept above freezing point. Silicone will degrade over time though.

You say the tank was made by a friend, my concern would be if there was any dirt on the glass when it was bonded, as even the tiniest amount of dirt between Silicone joints can cause weakness that will show up after a few years. You may come home one day to find the tank leaking and i guarantee that it will be from issues when the glass was first bonded.