Metaframe viquarium setup

michael

michael

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Michael Shrom
Here is my 55 gallon Viquarium.
 

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I love those old tanks. I had loads of them set up when I was a kid, they were next to nothing second hand, but they're rare over here now. Almost all mine came from the local aquatic/pet shop when they re did their fish room, the rest they had just went in the skip! :(
 
The light is LED. I think gradually most of my lights will be replaced by LED.

I remember when the first all glass tanks were made available. These metal frame tanks are moving from being trash to collectable. I had budgeted a couple hundred dollars for this tank. I found one at a yard sale for 10.00. I bought an older tank with most of the money left in my budget.

Their are Tylototriton verrocussus in the tank now. I'm thinking of switching to Cynops ensicauda.
 

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Is that one sealed with putty instead of silicone? I had some of those years ago as well, but they tended to leak if they were left empty for any length of time.
 
I scraped the putty on the little one and resealed with silicone. The big one was sealed with silicone.

I did the same thing with my real old one and it did not work. I think to seal my victorian tank I would have to take all of the glass out and start over. It makes a good plant tank for now. I did blow the budget on that one.
 

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I love these old tanks too I also remember when the first all-glass tanks came out.

I sold all but one over the years. The one I kept is a 15 gallon Metaframe with the original Metaframe metal hood.

It's great to see people still using them!
 
Is that the inexpensive LED light I showed you? Mine is still looking good. No bulb burn outs yet on mine. It was really good with my elodea and riccia plants It was worth the 58 dollars so far.
 
michael said:
I scraped the putty on the little one and resealed with silicone. The big one was sealed with silicone.

I did the same thing with my real old one and it did not work. I think to seal my victorian tank I would have to take all of the glass out and start over. It makes a good plant tank for now. I did blow the budget on that one.
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That looks fantastic! Very jealous :rolleyes:
 
I think it is the same or about the same light you showed me. It was from topdogsellers and cost me 48.95 for the 48" one.
 
Looks good can't wait to see it in 3 months once things start filling out.
 
Updated pictures of the 55 gallon viquarium.
 

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Gorgeous moss growth bud. Thought I was alone in my appreciation for metaframes. Do you have any with slate bottoms? I have a 75g that does, its heavy as **** but I love it. I've never seen the victorian variety before. Thats a sharp tank. You need to resurrect that puppy.
 
The 55 gallon has a slate bottom. I have a bunch of smaller stainless steel framed tanks with slate bottoms. I was offered a 100 gallon slate bottom but had to pass. I'd need some weight lifters to move that thing.
 
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