Post by AlanM on Dec 9, 2012 20:00:09 GMT -6
Several months ago, I found a new, unused Metaframe 20-gallon high aquarium on eBay. In case you are not familiar with them, Metaframe aquariums have a slate bottom and stainless steel frame. They were built in the 1960s and 1970s in many different sizes. The company had a full line of accessories and stands for them, too. There were similar tanks in the same time frame made by a couple of other companies. This 20-gallon on eBay was brand new. It still had the tags on it and the paper pouch glued to the inside of the front glass with a Metaframe catalog still in it. I bid on it and won the auction. Here’s what it looks like:
I have been watching eBay and Craigslist for Metaframe tanks and accessories. I like the style as it fits with my appreciation for Mid-Century Modern. I managed to find a light reflector and what Metaframe called a “jump guard,” which is the other half of the hood, on eBay. Here they are on the tank:
I was able to remove the tags on the tank without damaging them too badly by soaking them in warm water on a towel. I remember my parents doing that to take window stickers off new cars. Back then, they were glued on the full surface of the sticker. The catalog pouch had copyrights of 1959-1964-1968. Here's the catalog that was in the pouch:
When I bought a Perfecto Majesty stand from Aquatic Critter for my 55-gallon Metaframe last week (see other thread), I also got a matching one for the 20-gallon. The stand:
As it turns out, the Metaframe tanks are about ¼ to 3/8 of an inch larger in both directions than modern plastic frame tanks. I chose to raise the tank resting surface up 3/8 of an inch to level with the rails. I had a couple of pieces of 3/8 plywood in the garage from a shipping container, so I cut a piece to fit:
Then I went back outside and painted it black to match the stand:
So the stand is ready and the tank is sitting on it:
In the next installment of this saga, I’ll check it for leaks. I am hopeful that the original light will work with rewiring (I’m not going to trust 45 year old wiring that has been exposed to aquarium moisture). I also have some other vintage aquarium accessories including a new-old-stock Metaframe air pump. I want to use as much vintage equipment as possible.
I’m also doing a parallel thread on this forum on a vintage 55-gallon Metaframe I’m setting up.
I have been watching eBay and Craigslist for Metaframe tanks and accessories. I like the style as it fits with my appreciation for Mid-Century Modern. I managed to find a light reflector and what Metaframe called a “jump guard,” which is the other half of the hood, on eBay. Here they are on the tank:
I was able to remove the tags on the tank without damaging them too badly by soaking them in warm water on a towel. I remember my parents doing that to take window stickers off new cars. Back then, they were glued on the full surface of the sticker. The catalog pouch had copyrights of 1959-1964-1968. Here's the catalog that was in the pouch:
When I bought a Perfecto Majesty stand from Aquatic Critter for my 55-gallon Metaframe last week (see other thread), I also got a matching one for the 20-gallon. The stand:
As it turns out, the Metaframe tanks are about ¼ to 3/8 of an inch larger in both directions than modern plastic frame tanks. I chose to raise the tank resting surface up 3/8 of an inch to level with the rails. I had a couple of pieces of 3/8 plywood in the garage from a shipping container, so I cut a piece to fit:
Then I went back outside and painted it black to match the stand:
So the stand is ready and the tank is sitting on it:
In the next installment of this saga, I’ll check it for leaks. I am hopeful that the original light will work with rewiring (I’m not going to trust 45 year old wiring that has been exposed to aquarium moisture). I also have some other vintage aquarium accessories including a new-old-stock Metaframe air pump. I want to use as much vintage equipment as possible.
I’m also doing a parallel thread on this forum on a vintage 55-gallon Metaframe I’m setting up.
Looking forward to seeing more pics
