I've been looking to buy a used aquarium but I have read that tanks' seals last roughly 10 years. I had not even thought of the seals failing and the tank leaking. Is this accurate? If so, I'm starting to reconsider the wisdom of buying used. Not knowing how old the tank is .... it seems like shaving off $100 to $150 on the front end is only going to cost me in the long-run with an earlier seal failure. Or is the concern overblown? Thanks in advance.

Been doing some research about filters for my next aquarium set-up and have some filter questions I'm hoping for a planted 90-gallon topical freshwater tank. (I've never done live plants). I know that undergravel filters are obsolete. I know that over-the-back filters are still around but when I used them (20 years ago) I thought that they were a mess. I'm hoping to utilize one canister filter if for no other reason as it would be a cleaner look. But I'm getting mixed information about canisters. First Question. I've been told to take the recommended aquarium size for a canister with a grain of salt, as their manufacturer ratings are based upon canisters with no media. That I should go by the GPH and that it is multiple of your tank's capacity but the multiplier is all over the place. I have seen that it should be 4x (360 GPH in my case), 5x (450 GPH) and even 10X (900 GPH). Which is the correct one? Second Question. Fluval or Eheim? These two seem to be the two big boys on the block. I'm willing to consider other brands. Suggestions I have received include Fluval 407 (383 GPH), Eheim Pro 4+600 (331 GPH) and Fluval FX4 (700 GPH). This is where the multiplier is important because Fluval 407 and Eheim 600 barely make the 4x multiplier, if that. Some people say that there is no such thing as too much filtration, so I am sorta kinda leaning toward the Fluval FX4 for safety margin reasons but it is the size of a stockpot which would require me to re-engineer my tank stand. Any guidance would be appreciated. - Jason

Hi, Just joined. Hoping to get an 90-gallon tropical freshwater aquarium up and running in the next couple months. I used to have a 55-gallon in grad school (20 years ago) and not since, so my knowledge is very very out of date. Went to two independent pet stores over the past weekend and learned that most of the equipment that I was familiar with (e.g. undergravel filters) are no longer the standard. You'll probably see me lurking about, pestering people with questions, until I figure out what I'm doing. - Jason (Annandale, VA)

Getting back into aquariums after 20 years and have a tank size question. My knowledge is so out of date, I am essentially a beginner. Been looking at purchasing a 90 gallon tank (48 inch length is my limit). I inquired at a store and was told that certain sizes have fallen out of favor with manufacturers. 90 gallons being one of them. Basically, the said that most common are 55, 75 and then a jump to 125 (too big). That locating a large tank outside those ranges is tough. Locating a extra-tall or extra-high (30 inches vs. 24 inches) tank is even worse. Is that true? I was going to bide my time and try to locate one used, but was wondering whether a 90 gallon tank or an extra-tall tank is really that hard to come by. The stores could have just been stating it to convince me to buy a size they had in stock. Thanks. - Jason