My acrylic tank top is bowed - is this normal?

[DaveB]

I noticed today while cleaning my 110g acrylic tank that the top is bowing up or distorting. It's now sloping from the holes towards the edges, and it's not symmetrical from one side to the other. The tank is 5' by 18" and has the standard two holes cut out on top.

I can't say for certain but I'm fairly sure it was not like this 2 weeks ago.

This is my first acrylic tank and has been set up for only 3-4 months so I'm not that familiar with them. Is this common? Is it a sign of something bad?

 

[Merbeast]

acrylic tanks bow. Mine does it, all of them do it. If it is well made, it will handle it just fine.

 

[DaveB]

It's a legit Clarity Plus tank. If this is something they all do, then I'm confident in it. Thanks.

 

[aldiaz33]

Make sure that there is adequete space between your lights and the top of your tank. Your lights could potentially generate enough heat to weaken the acrylic. The heat created by your lights could be the reason for the bowing. Other than the tank being made out of acrylic that is thinner than it probably should be, the heat issue is the only other thing I can think of that would cause bowing.

 

[CHOMPERS]

My acrylic tank top is bowed - is this normal?
... I can't say for certain but I'm fairly sure it was not like this 2 weeks ago...

It was like that unless you bought it two weeks ago. But since you said that it was in operation for 3-4 months, it was like that.

It is normal for acrylic to bow. Acrylic normally absorbs water and this is what causes the bowing. It will always bow convexly toward the source of water/moisture.