do all glass tanks bow???

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
C

calgaryflames

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Nov 10, 2009
1,771
48
51
calgary
i just finished building a large tank about 1400 gallons.i am very paranoid i put a straight edge on it to find out that its got a slight bow maybe 1 or 2 mm

than i check my 300 gallon upstairs and the same thing a slight bow too.Also my 90 gallon slight bow but not as much as the others.

does anybody know anything about glass bowing on here and whats to much and whats normal???

any help comments
 
Yes, they will all bow. Glass will even sag over many years :)

How long of a panel do you have in your 1400? Anything over 6' with 1 mm bow shouldn't be a concern. That is if it is bowing 1 mm when it's full?
 
glass does NOT sag or flow over time, the only reason old glass windows are thicker at the bottom is because it was installed that way. why make the weight of a window rest on a thin edge? the reason glass had a thick edge and a thin edge was because of the old way of manufacturing a pane. they started as a bubble or lump and was spun into a big circle, the center stayed thick and the glass on the outer edge was thin.
 
philfreenode;4868603; said:
glass does NOT sag or flow over time, the only reason old glass windows are thicker at the bottom is because it was installed that way. why make the weight of a window rest on a thin edge? the reason glass had a thick edge and a thin edge was because of the old way of manufacturing a pane. they started as a bubble or lump and was spun into a big circle, the center stayed thick and the glass on the outer edge was thin.
Click to expand...

Hence the "smilie". I am a Myth Busters fanatic lol.
 
I wouldn't worry about it too much. I had a 30 gallon that bowed like mad. What a great little tank. LOL
 
i cut the plastic center brace out of a juwel rio 125 liter while its was full of water . not a good idea , the thing bowed about 4mm but never leaked a drip .
 
The quick answer is yes, ALL tanks deflect based on the amount of water pressure on them. Material does not matter, if it can deflect, it will (granted sufficient pressure).
 
I tested a 1000mmLx500mmH sump tank I'd just picked up which had had the centre brace removed. It bowed 17mm in the middle when I filled it to the top but didn't break. I instantly emptied it and put a centre brace on it. I now get about 1-2mm of bowing when totally full so if that's all you're getting over that length I wouldn't worry.
 
The tank is L shaped ,both pieces 7 foot by 30" but only full about 28" of water height.And the deflection is no more than 2mm at very worst
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom