> Good Morning...
>
> A couple of questions for all you wise and witty list members.
>
> 1) I have an opportunity to purchase a used 180 gallon, "Island" brand
> aquarium from a local pet shop dealer. The tank looks OK and even has a
> stand, all for $300.00. This seems like a pretty good deal to me. But
> you know, I don't trust pet store people. This stems from my early days
> when I used to get so much misinformation from them. All for the cause
> of making the sale, I suppose.
>
> Anyway, he says the tank "looks" about 3 years old. My feeling is that
> how it looks depends on how the previous owner took care of it. He has
> been keeping ferrets in the tank, as well, and I am a little worried
> about possible damage to the tank seals from their claws. He says he
> will fill the tank for me, but I'm more worried about the tank holding
> water in 3 years than I am about it holding water now.
>
> Any sharing of tips and/or past experiences with used tanks is welcome.
>
> 2) How about these potassium or sodium salt run water softerners? I have
> always used RO for my water changes but thought I could kill two birds
> with one stone by purchasing a water softerner run with potassium
> chloride. I was thinking of using this unit not only to fill my tanks,
> but to bathe and wash my clothes in as well. What a concept. Does
> anybody use this type of soft water in their tanks? What are the pros
> and cons?
>
> Does the softener impart potassium to the water? I would sure hate to
> induce cardiac arrythmias in my fish, he he he!
>
> Jim