Tank Cracking - Arn't you guys scared?

[12 Volt Man]

I agree. if you buy a brand new well made tank and set it up on a proper, level and flat stand there is really nothing to worry about.

there are a lot of cracked/leaking tanks out there on the forums, but if you notice, few people buy brand new tanks anymore.

most 'new tank threads' are actually second hand tanks.

IMO, when you buy a used tank, that has been drained/filled a few times, moved by someone else. let sit dry etc. your chances of a leak go WAY up.


I have been keeping fish for 21 years now and have never had tank break or crack. some of my tanks stayed running continuously for almost 19 of the those 21 years. (they were 30s and my 90 and 65 were both 16+ years old when I sold them).

buy quality
buy new
set it up properly

and

relax and enjoy your tank.

 

[Wulfonce]

For those who have 100G+ tanks are you worried about the tanks cracking? Leaks?

I want to buy a new one but I cannot imagine my tank breaking on me, my hardwood floor will be destroyed.

How do you convince yourselves to take this risk?

Its something that plays on my mind often. Slowly nibbling on the back of my brain driving me into a slow and certain insanity

Seriously though. I live in a mobile home less then 100' from a busy railway line. Whenever a train goes by, my home shakes. I've observed the "rippling effect" on the surface of the water in my 90 occasionally. Makes me paranoid that its slowly weakening the tank. One day "CRASH" then I'll be up $hit creek. I guess the answer to you question is: Worried or not If you really love fish keeping its worth the risk.

 

[kevin007]

I think the real reason behind this, is because I had TWO top fin 10 gallon fish tanks leak on me, TWO.

I kinda lost faith in fish tanks after that. I blame myself for stuffing the python in the gravel too hard when I gravel vacuum, but I don't know if that is the REAL reason behind it.

 

[jartist15]

i had a 40 gallon leak on me, 5 days after set up, it was terrible, i think i broke the seal when caring down stairs to my room, and it was a used tank apperently close to 20 years old, i resealed it and good as new. my thoughts are as long as the stand is on the floor flat, the stand is lvl, you will be fine

 

[Moshmarine]

Yeah, I've had nightmares about my glass 300g cracking and then flooding my whole house. But so far so good

 

[Burko]

"and has your "hardwood" floor had tens/hundreds of gallons of water thrown over it? "

Sure, look what happened last time a monster tank broke...

 

[12 Volt Man]

lol

although that sucks for the people that live there..

 

[Burko]

"that sucks for the people that live there.. "

I guess but... a bit of a hose off, give the floor a quick sanding, add another coat of oil and their hardwood floors will be as good as new.

 

[CHOMPERS]

Whenever a train goes by, my home shakes.... ...Makes me paranoid that its slowly weakening the tank.

You have nothing to worry about. Neither the glass nor the silicone work hardens. They both can handle an infinite amount of cyclic flexing without weakening.

 

[Ryan_R]

One thing no one mentioned is "collateral damage" from maintaining a box of water on top of a nice floor. When doing water changes, there's always *some* spillage... even with a "no mess, no-spill" python thingy.

-Ryan