epixstar128
New member
Any one here have any of the old slate bottom metal rimmed tanks. Here is my 55 gallon with my oscar fish
metaframe tanks
- Thread starter epixstar128
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whirlcool
Well-known member
Wasn't the brand name "MetaLife Tanks"?
I remember those very well, they were made in 5-55 gallon sizes. Very popular in the 1960's. I remember that if you ever emptied them for cleaning and then refilled them they would start to leak. So if you emptied it out and cleaned it, you'd be best off by resealing it before refilling it. I read somewhere recently these tanks are now in high demand for $$$.
I remember those very well, they were made in 5-55 gallon sizes. Very popular in the 1960's. I remember that if you ever emptied them for cleaning and then refilled them they would start to leak. So if you emptied it out and cleaned it, you'd be best off by resealing it before refilling it. I read somewhere recently these tanks are now in high demand for $$$.
epixstar128
New member
I have five they do leak bad until you reseal them. Its the glass to slate that fails to fix it i always put glass on top of the slate then seal glass to gladd. It is metaframe i can post some old adds i have
epixstar128
New member
Filter to go with it
Oh my, I remember those Slim Jim filters. I had a few when I was young, they worked best with a Silent Giant air pump.
whirlcool
Well-known member
We used the under gravel filters. They worked fine for about 6 months or so then you'd have to drain the tank, take the gravel out to clean it by rinsing. And boy did that gravel stink!
We had a local Pet Shop that sold aquarium fish. They had a long wall of 20-55 gallon Metalife tanks to display the fish for sale.
We had a local Pet Shop that sold aquarium fish. They had a long wall of 20-55 gallon Metalife tanks to display the fish for sale.
cfz2882
Well-known member
metaframe "dynaflo"power filter
about 10 yrs ago,i got a 1973 dated but never used metaframe"dynaflo"power filter at a rummage sale and used it with my 38 gal. aquarium:made of green plastic,it had a little shaded pole fan-cooled motor to drive the magnetic coupled impeller.
about 10 yrs ago,i got a 1973 dated but never used metaframe"dynaflo"power filter at a rummage sale and used it with my 38 gal. aquarium:made of green plastic,it had a little shaded pole fan-cooled motor to drive the magnetic coupled impeller.
beekeyknee
Well-known member
I used to have Metaframe tanks, Bubble-Up corner filters and a Dynaflow filter too. I never had trouble with them leaking unless I let them set and dry out for a long period.
As I recall the instructions said the tanks were to be completely emptied of all contents before moving and they were to be lifted evenly with no torquing of the tank to prevent leaks. They recommended the tanks be placed on a completely flat and sturdy surface also. Their aquarium stands were recommended of course.
I enjoyed the quality of Metaframe at the time.
As I recall the instructions said the tanks were to be completely emptied of all contents before moving and they were to be lifted evenly with no torquing of the tank to prevent leaks. They recommended the tanks be placed on a completely flat and sturdy surface also. Their aquarium stands were recommended of course.
I enjoyed the quality of Metaframe at the time.
Oh wow, hadn't seen this thread!
<span style="font-size: medium;">Picked this one up a few months ago. Unknown brand. Tank, hood and stand, 50 bucks. No leaks so far. </span>
<span style="font-size: medium;">Picked this one up a few months ago. Unknown brand. Tank, hood and stand, 50 bucks. No leaks so far. </span>
Metaframe 1967
beekeyknee
Well-known member
Cool add, Louis. I remember most of the items in that picture. Especially the books.
toploader55
Well-known member
What a Trip !!!
I had a 29H MetaFrame with the Dynaflow Filter.
That Glass wool used to tear my skin up.
Funny thing I was just thinking about a Aquarium a few days ago.
I had a 29H MetaFrame with the Dynaflow Filter.
That Glass wool used to tear my skin up.
Funny thing I was just thinking about a Aquarium a few days ago.
epixstar128
New member
I have a few of those filters will post pics later
These tanks are what started me looking at other
Vintage items. My first thing I started collecting
These tanks are what started me looking at other
Vintage items. My first thing I started collecting
whirlcool
Well-known member
Wow, even the store we bought out equipment at in Downers Grove is listed in that advert.
All of my early tanks from the mid-late 50s were Metaframe but then we gradually switched to all glass.
polkanut
Well-known member
I Googled the pet store address in Kenosha, WI. It's now Black Pearl Tattoo. lol
<span style="font-size: medium;">Check this collection out!</span>
whirlcool
Well-known member
While the aquarium hobby was very large and popular in the 50's & 60's I don't think it's as popular today due to all the work involved. We almost went with a 200 gallon marine aquarium for our den around 2002, but then thought about all the work involved and we later found out that our black lab goes nuts when he sees fish in an aquarium. So with visions of 200 gallons of saltwater flying through the air we decided to not have another aquarium.
One of our neighbors when I was growing up had an aquarium coffee table. It was just a triangular aquarium with a glass top. It was pretty cool.
One of our neighbors when I was growing up had an aquarium coffee table. It was just a triangular aquarium with a glass top. It was pretty cool.
<span style="font-size: medium;">I agree, it's work, but they are so calming to look at.</span>
whirlcool
Well-known member
I agree, it's work, but they are so calming to look at.
You are absolutely correct. This has been proven scientifically too. That's why you'll see aquariums in places like hospital waiting rooms, doctors offices, etc. I've even see them in auto dealers service center waiting rooms before. They can be used anywhere people are likely to be stressed out or have anxiety issues.
You are absolutely correct. This has been proven scientifically too. That's why you'll see aquariums in places like hospital waiting rooms, doctors offices, etc. I've even see them in auto dealers service center waiting rooms before. They can be used anywhere people are likely to be stressed out or have anxiety issues.
"<a name="start_48462.703126">They can be used anywhere people are likely to be stressed out or have anxiety issues"</a>
Guess I need to figure out how to put one in my car for days like yesterday when I have to drive the 405 through the Westside.
Guess I need to figure out how to put one in my car for days like yesterday when I have to drive the 405 through the Westside.
I got rid of my 33 gal tank when we moved here back in 06 but I kept my Fluval 303 canister filter just in case. The last time I had set it up i used a few of those 10 cent feeder goldfish to start the cycling of the water. Well they kept growing and growing turning into beautiful goldfish. I also had a beautiful pearlscale Oranda. I think if I get another tank I'll just get a couple of those Orandas again... They almost become tame.
I have read through a few hobbyist magazines and all of the different things that are now known about water chemistry are very challenging. All of the equipment and products that are used now make it seem very hard to have an aquarium. I liked to raise the plants. Does anyone remember the Madagascar Lace Plant or those funny things with the bananas under the leaves or Cobomba or Ananacharis? I used to grow water sprite in my tanks, moving it to taller and taller tanks before I sold it to the pet store. I still remember the soothing sounds of the water flowing from the outside filters back into the tanks and the soft lighting from the fluorescent lights shining through the water.
I remember when they developed Cardinal Tetras and how much more colorful they were than Neons. As I have aged, I have come to realize that everything deserves its freedom and while aquarium fish are generally pretty much safer than their relatives in the wild, I still wonder if I am causing them discomfort with water quality or light or noise.
I remember when they developed Cardinal Tetras and how much more colorful they were than Neons. As I have aged, I have come to realize that everything deserves its freedom and while aquarium fish are generally pretty much safer than their relatives in the wild, I still wonder if I am causing them discomfort with water quality or light or noise.
cfz2882
Well-known member
hexagon tanks
I remember tall,hexagon shaped tanks were popular in the early '80s-one setup I saw in a pet store back then was two hexagon tanks joined with two plexiglass tubes so fish could swim between the two tanks.
I remember tall,hexagon shaped tanks were popular in the early '80s-one setup I saw in a pet store back then was two hexagon tanks joined with two plexiglass tubes so fish could swim between the two tanks.
I don't think it's a dying hobby at all and just the opposite. There's more stuff available out there than ever. Remember when just about everything was Hartz Mountain or ? Now there's 5 or 6 suppliers some even from Europe etc selling pumps, tanks, you name it.
In major cities, you can contract with a maintenance service that sends a tech around once a week or so to make sure everything is doing well. They clean and treat and sort of eliminate all of the responsibilities of aquarium ownership except for the payments.
About the dog: We had a collie in the 50s that mostly stayed outside. When we brought him in though, he would lunge, nose first at the front of the smaller tank under the 10 gallon where he could see fish swimming. I did not know that dogs were that attracted to fish.
About the dog: We had a collie in the 50s that mostly stayed outside. When we brought him in though, he would lunge, nose first at the front of the smaller tank under the 10 gallon where he could see fish swimming. I did not know that dogs were that attracted to fish.
whirlcool
Well-known member
I remember tall,hexagon shaped tanks were popular in the early '80s-one setup I saw in a pet store back then was two hexagon tanks joined with two plexiglass tubes so fish could swim between the two tanks.
I remember those. I think they were made of plexiglass.
About the dog: We had a collie in the 50s that mostly stayed outside. When we brought him in though, he would lunge, nose first at the front of the smaller tank under the 10 gallon where he could see fish swimming. I did not know that dogs were that attracted to fish.
Yes, that's exactly what out Buddy does when he see's fish moving in the tank. I think it's the movement of the fish that gets him going. One time we were in a PetSmart and I kept him back from the fish tanks. He started making all these strange sounds at the fish, like he was talking to them.
In our home aquarium when I was growing up we had Discus fish. When you walked across the room they would follow your direction.
I remember reading something about modern aquarium care that recommended you change out 1/2 the water in the tank weekly. In a large tank that would definitely be cumbersome. It's supposed to help eliminate the ammonia and nitrates in the water.
I remember those. I think they were made of plexiglass.
About the dog: We had a collie in the 50s that mostly stayed outside. When we brought him in though, he would lunge, nose first at the front of the smaller tank under the 10 gallon where he could see fish swimming. I did not know that dogs were that attracted to fish.
Yes, that's exactly what out Buddy does when he see's fish moving in the tank. I think it's the movement of the fish that gets him going. One time we were in a PetSmart and I kept him back from the fish tanks. He started making all these strange sounds at the fish, like he was talking to them.
In our home aquarium when I was growing up we had Discus fish. When you walked across the room they would follow your direction.
I remember reading something about modern aquarium care that recommended you change out 1/2 the water in the tank weekly. In a large tank that would definitely be cumbersome. It's supposed to help eliminate the ammonia and nitrates in the water.
epixstar128
New member
Na i change one third of my water once a month and dont have any issues. That fish in the photo is nearly five years old.
The real hard tanks to keep are saltwater tanks.
I have a 30 gallon saltwater that takes alot more maintenance and money.
I have five metaframes in my garage waiting to be used all sizes.
The real hard tanks to keep are saltwater tanks.
I have a 30 gallon saltwater that takes alot more maintenance and money.
I have five metaframes in my garage waiting to be used all sizes.
frontaloadotmy
Well-known member
I'm not sure that mine
are all Metaframes, but I have at least five. No slate bottoms. I think the biggest
one I have must be an 80 gal. Not all have hoods/reflecters. I tend to buy them when I have the money. I have a few vintage pumps and filters; not sure of the brands.
I expect to get some of them up and running when I "retire" . . . .
are all Metaframes, but I have at least five. No slate bottoms. I think the biggest
one I have must be an 80 gal. Not all have hoods/reflecters. I tend to buy them when I have the money. I have a few vintage pumps and filters; not sure of the brands.
I expect to get some of them up and running when I "retire" . . . .
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