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  #1  
Old 11/10/2004, 11:25 PM
hoveyjr hoveyjr is offline
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Acrylic tank bowed bad - Is it safe

I recently acquired a 55 gallon acrylic tank and the rear panel is bowed out 3/4". There appears to be some small (1/8") lines which I think is crazing in the rear panel where it is bowed out the most.

All the seams for the most part look good. A few small lines across the seams here and there, but nothing major.

Looking for input as to whether this is safe.
  #2  
Old 11/11/2004, 06:06 AM
DaveC DaveC is offline
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Is there any bracing across the tank center ?? try filling it outside and let it sit for a few days...I would imagine if it is bowed without being filled, when it is filled it will bow even more..


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  #3  
Old 11/11/2004, 06:31 AM
staticfishmonger staticfishmonger is offline
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i have seen some pretty bad bowed tanks, usually there the older ones, or ones made with to thin of acrylic. i have not heard of any becoming structually unsafe as a result of there bow. i have used a few old acrylics as sumps that had some nice bow, never had a problem there either. honestly unless its ridiculous i dont think you have a problem.
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  #4  
Old 11/11/2004, 07:18 AM
Mr_Quality Mr_Quality is offline
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How brave are you? 3/4" of bow sounds risky to me.
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  #5  
Old 11/11/2004, 11:11 PM
hoveyjr hoveyjr is offline
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Well I filled it with water in the garage. Now the back is bowed out 1" and the front 5/8". It appear very structurally sound.

It doesn't take much of a bump on the front to make the water vibrate. Is this pretty normal for acrylics?
  #6  
Old 11/12/2004, 01:02 AM
bertoni bertoni is offline
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[welcome]

Any brand information on the tank?
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  #7  
Old 11/12/2004, 02:10 AM
luntiz luntiz is offline
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Was at the LFS and there were some fish fighting in a 40 gallon acrylic tank and the owner banged the tank twice with his fist. The whole tank rattled and the water and fish all jerked. From what I saw today, acrylic can be pretty tough.
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  #8  
Old 11/12/2004, 02:11 AM
jdieck jdieck is offline
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One question... If you aquired it new why to risk it? I would try to return it and have it replaced.
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  #9  
Old 11/12/2004, 02:18 AM
Ryan M Ryan M is offline
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I have 55g TruVu and it bows about a 1/2" on the back, it's been up and running for about 13 months no problems. It alarmed me at first but others assured me that it was normal.
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  #10  
Old 11/13/2004, 05:34 AM
staticfishmonger staticfishmonger is offline
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a little is normal, but what your describing ( 1" ) sounds a little extreme. i have had mine over two and there is no noticeable bow at all. i also have a 300g that has no visible bow, but it also has 1 1/4" thick walls....
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  #11  
Old 11/13/2004, 07:19 AM
Mr_Quality Mr_Quality is offline
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Using that tank just sounds like a bad idea to me.
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  #12  
Old 11/13/2004, 07:48 AM
ReefWizard ReefWizard is offline
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The tank is one of the least expensive parts of this hobby. Why go through the worry? You can replace it with a stable tank and use it for a sump or refugium. That way, if there are any probs, you hopefully won't have anything more than a water mess on your hands, and not have fish and shrimp flopping around on your floor.
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