Glass Tank is Bowing

[Chaz88]

I would build a brace for it. It shouldn't be too hard and you will see that the bowing is gone. If you don't want to drain the tank, just use a long clamp to hold the tank back in it's original position and then build the brace. If it bows when you take the clamp off then you need to build a better brace.

Personally, I would not try to remove a 1/4" of bow in glass when it is under load. I think it would be more likely to break. Particularly since the glass is under an uneven load from top to bottom.

 

[Laticauda]

Personally, I would not try to remove a 1/4" of bow in glass when it is under load. I think it would be more likely to break. Particularly since the glass is under an uneven load from top to bottom.

Yes, that's why I recommend draining it, then placing the brace.

 

[fishman61]

I have a 30 gallon tank exhibiting the same problem. I have not done anything to correct the problem. It has been set up for the past 10 years with no problems.

 

[dmopar74]

the tank is fine. by those dimentions i would assume it is an aga/aqueon tank, which i notice they all bow a bit. my brand new 20L bows like mad, my 180 bows, my 54 corner has a slight bow. all my tanks are aga/aqueon, they just bow a bit. youd be surprised how much glass can bend.

 

[watercrawl]

Thanks for the responses.

 

[Piscine]

I had this problem when I tried to use a terrarium for an aquarium.......It almost caused a disaster.

I'd verify that the tank is designed to be full of water, or if its only meant to be partially filled.

 

[Clay]

I'm inclined to believe that this tank is not suitable for holding water. The glass is clearly under more pressure than it should be, and not properly supported. While a temporary fix may be building a brace, relying on that for such a cheap tank isn't something I would do. But that's just me...

You can see from the 75g (that doesn't bow), that glass of proper thickness provides the appropriate strength to not bow under the pressure. I wouldn't chalk it up to just needing a brace, but possibly a manufacturer's defect or poor engineering design.

Ditch the tank and get something else.

 

[eatingleg4peanut]

Glass Should not bend at all! Glass has very poor bending strength, if the glass is bowing its strength is compromised. Glasses strength is due to its molecules being tightly compressed, giving it great compression strength but poor toughness(fracture strength). When the glass bends these molecules are pulled apart greatly reducing its strength and causes sudden explosive fractures.

 

[Pharaoh]

With those dims, sounds like a 30L. I had one with no center brace, and it bowed pretty badly. Worst shape tank I ever saw. Held water like a dream.

It would probably be advised to brace it since it is in the living room.

 

[Brian_Indiana]

I had a 6' 150 that bowed about 3/8". It was an older one without center braces, but crazy thick glass. I only used it for a couple of months and it was out in the garage, so the potential damage was somewhat minimal. I made a brace for it and limited the bow to about 1/8".

I am all about peace of mind. Even with a brace will you be comfortable? If not, replace it. When it comes to that kind of stuff inside the house, I am pretty risk adverse and would not chance it.