Mail order fish from the 1950's

they used tar on those old tanks, silicone won't stick to slate.

so you wouldn't ever try to repair one of those tanks with silicone to slate.

 

I don't think there was any drilling of tank bottoms then. It was the undergravel filter and filter floss era. In the ad, they call it glass wool.

 

I should have said "silicone". I didn't know what the stuff was, but it didn't last long.

 

I know some had them but it was as a drain hole, like the one in a bath tub. So yea no overflows. Although i'm not sure if the whole was put there by a hobbiest.

 

And I probably shouldn't have said tar also, because it's actually something called asphaltum

 

Tell that to my Pleco caves that are made of Slate and GE Silicone I.

 

let me rephrase that, silicone won't stick to slate well enough to make a secure fish tank;D

 

From my sister...

About the slate bottom:

“Slate bottom aquariums are much more desirable for all types of Cichlid spawnings. Livebearers, of course, are usually unconcerned about their aquarium bottom as long as no light comes from the bottom.”

"….building an African or South American chichlid tank. In these cases slate rock helps mimic the natural environment as well as regulate alkalinity, which these waters have a high amount of. Use natural slate from the fish store as well as alkalinity boosters. Test your pH often as you want it to be around 8. 2."

“A slate bottom aquarium has a calming effect on the youngsters, whereas a clear glass bottom aquarium has a very unsettling effect on them.”

 

1st tank

My very first aquarium was copper, 5 gal. this was around 1950 or 52. Many times I've wished I still had it.

Phil

P.S. I can't remember what the bottom was..

 

"Shipped Parcel Post"


How many folks would like to see that today? eeesh!