Opinions on tank longevity

[Jboy1128]

As the title says above I’m looking for some opinions and or thoughts on my situation, So some years ago I purchased a standard 180 gallon acrylic aquarium from fish tanks direct(would absolutely never recommend in doing so UNLESS you get the tsnumai brand) but that’s a story for another time. Through my life I only ever had glass tanks so I was unfamiliar with acrylic long story short the tank it self Is made of 3/8ths thick acrylic not half inch… I currently have a group of great Paratilpia andapa that I am waiting to pair off and hopefully breed in the future. That being said the tank does have some bowing (nothing crazy but still noticeable) and a small amount of crazing at the top and bottom only noticeable if a flash light it put up to it and all tank seams are perfectly clear and not cloudy I’ve had the tank setup for about 3 years with various occupants but my main concern is should I be thinking about having a new 180 ready for when the group forms a pair because this is a fish I plan on working with for a while and i would be totally devastated if I came home to find a blown seem in this stupid tank or am I just worrying too much

 

[wednesday13]

3/8” was pretty standard for “standard” size 180’s 6x2x2 until recently. All acrylic bows also. Kinda similar to older standard 300’s being built in 1/2” at 30” tall instead of 3/4”. The tank will show signs in the seams before it ever blows a panel IMO.. i have and had several underbuilt acrylics as old at 40+yrs. Some ive reinforced and some i have not. Ur tank looks squeaky clean to me seam wise. I bought that exact tank used and pretty beat up. I put 1/2” rod on the upright seams inside. Not sure how old it was tho and the seams were fine when i got it. Currently have a 20-30yr old 230g in 3/8”, 5’x3’x2’… bows pretty bad and i honestly dont care lol… i moved the tank down a flight of stairs myself and thats y i personally like underbuilt/older acrylic tanks. To each their own tho. I added reinforcement to the 230 as well and it held water fine before i did. I also just like to “refurb” any used tank i buy even if it may not need it.

Back on topic tho, ur tank looks good to me. As long as its leveled as best as possible and on a proper stand ur not going to have any problems that u wont see deteriorating over a loooong period of time. Most all the acrylic tanks ive repaired or helped others repair over the years have very minor leaks and you can see white seams/ bubbles, seam seperation for years before that even happens.

Best thing u can do to relieve pressure on an acrylic tank is lower the water level a few inches. It makes a big difference. If ur worried u can lower it 2-3” from the top. Can hide it with a canopy/hood or just a strip of vinyl. I lower all mine down 3-4” but again there 25-40+ yrs old and i like that air gap for air breathing fish and jumpers.

Sounds like ur already paying attention to things and watching the seams which is all u can do. That tank in 1/2” could show the same signs of bowing or possible seam seperation/age after 10-15yrs as well. Even if it were 3/4” its a craps shoot of a good stand, being level and who put it together that day. Acrylic bows because its soft and porous. It bows from the water itself, not just the material thickness and water pressure