The work starts here. 20ft tank!!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
coolkeith said:
I once had a 160 gallon tank with 3/8 cell cast acrylic that needed to be retired after 4 years. It would of failed eventually, since it developed crazing in some of the seams due to the excessive bowing. The tank was 8 ft long, 2 feet wide, and only 16 inches high.

I would expect a 20 foot tank like that to develop some stress cracks along with crazing in the seams. I don't think there is much you can do about the bowing or the structural integrity of that tank. Acrylic absorbs water and is going to bow no matter what. The thinner the acrylic is, while the longer the length is, the more it's going to bow, and the more the joints will be stressed. I don't think putting angle iron supports around seams would help at all either. A tank that long should probably be using at least 1" thick acrylic to counteract the water absorption. You might get a few years out of it, if you're lucky, but I wouldn't risk it. I'm sorry, but I'd probably get my circular saw out and scrap the thing.
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I understand what your saying, and im also nervous about it for the same.reasons. but I know this tank has already ran for a few years if not more. I've seen it a number of times... I've been looking along the seams and haven't noticed and crazing or signs of stress. I know its risky and under built but I am very curious why there isn't any danger signs when its already been filled...

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most acrylic tanks bow hanously when there made cheaply and without the proper full top sheet supports. There are alot of factory made acrylic tanks out there that are junk right outta the gate so there is also alot of poor information on how they should be made and or fixed. In my personal experience tanks that are older around 20years were made alot different and alot better imo. These days builders are skimpy on material thickness,top supports and using the right glue to finish the job. If anyone has seen/owned an acrylic tank that looks like it has clear silicone in it (weld on #40) you know what im talking about. The seals on the seams gain an extra 1" or so of adhesion plus the adhesion of material thickness.

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harleyboy said:
could u glue 1 inch by 2 inch acrylic "studs" on the inside of the tank.top to bottom ever 2 feet front and back
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I aggree although i would put the supports on the oitside so u dont take away from the space inside.... If it were me i would cut it in half and make a 10x60.... It would still give you a massive tank but the dimmentions would leave more room inside the tank.... Thats just me tho its a nice tank reguardless. But ya def use sone sort of bracing every couple of feet

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I've ran into issues already, I built a frame out of 2x4's 15'x2' and its not going to get in the basement. The longest I can get in is shy of 11'. So the options now are cut the tank at the mid seam then re glue it in the basement. Or cut the tank to 14' and have the tank upstairs, on the outside wall and support the joists from under. I did some calculations this tank is 1.9lbs heavier per sq inch than a 120

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sorry i missed alot while i was mid typing, im going to go with what wednesday is suggesting and beef up all the seams. if it still is scary on the test fill i can consider the vertival acrylic supports but i do not know if it will be needed. as stated earlier there is alot of tanks that bow as long as the seams are strong i would guess the bowing wouldnt matter much.
im considering cutting the tank in half to get it into the basement, as im bracing all the seams with weldon#40 i could join the tank back together.. just a thought.
another option is to cut the tank to 15' and using the extra 5' as scrap for my joints ect. 2, 10ft tanks would also be an option. ive got a TON to consider
 
Keep it as one tank as long as possible. Will best fit the fish

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wheatgerm said:
sorry i missed alot while i was mid typing, im going to go with what wednesday is suggesting and beef up all the seams. if it still is scary on the test fill i can consider the vertival acrylic supports but i do not know if it will be needed. as stated earlier there is alot of tanks that bow as long as the seams are strong i would guess the bowing wouldnt matter much.
im considering cutting the tank in half to get it into the basement, as im bracing all the seams with weldon#40 i could join the tank back together.. just a thought.
another option is to cut the tank to 15' and using the extra 5' as scrap for my joints ect. 2, 10ft tanks would also be an option. ive got a TON to consider
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When you reglue it put braces on all the sides inside and out so it doesn't burst


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