Life expectancy of aquariums

My oldest fish tank is about 27 years old!

I'm wondering when I should expect it to fall apart and dump 55 gallons of water, sand and fish all over the floor?

I look at the silicone seals every now and then and it still looks good to me, but I've read a few stories of people with older tanks that just spontaneously start to leak.

I look at some other forums and many have tanks over 25 years old and they are still plugging along. But then again why risk it? Time for a new (bigger) tank!

I have a tank that's older then me, my 110 gallon. It seems fine. I think it kinda random, I have had some tanks leak after just a few years, and others last a long, long time. I don't think its something that can be easily predicted.

i have a 40 tall that when i got it the lady said it was about 20 years old...still holds water its been up for over a year now with no problems^_^ and everything looks fine..


Though i am upgrading to a 70 tall next month.

At my house in NY we have a 55 metal frame, slate bottom tank. It's been set up for about 30 years in its current spot and has about 20 more years on it, the tank is like 50 years old. No issues.