what causes tanks to break
- Thread starter AussieMonster
- Start date
could be a number of things. all depends on the circumstance.
1. Un-level tank
2. leveling a previously established un-level tank
3. silicone becoming old and cracking
4. bad silicone job
5. broken/incorrect bracing
1. Un-level tank
2. leveling a previously established un-level tank
3. silicone becoming old and cracking
4. bad silicone job
5. broken/incorrect bracing
all of my tanks are unlevel?...... what should i do??
i have a 7x2.5x2 its almost and inch difference at each side.. and a 6x2x2 that is the same?.
i have a 7x2.5x2 its almost and inch difference at each side.. and a 6x2x2 that is the same?.
I've had many tanks for many years and I've only had one tank break...
It was because the stand being used was twisted and this created torque on the glass causing the front pane of glass to split...
I disagree completely that an “unlevel” tank is any risk what-so-ever… I feel this is simply the wrong word to be used and by using the wrong word many people are alarmed when they shouldn’t be…
Picture this… a perfect rectangle sitting on a perfect rectangle of the same size… sitting on a slight incline… If the top rectangle is an aquarium and the bottom rectangle is a solid base, is the aquarium at any risk?
If a tank sits ‘flat’ on its stand which is also ‘flat’… then the tank is fine, even if it’s a bit off level…
The situation that causes problems is when the tank does not sit flat on it’s stand…
I’ve seen more people apply stress to “unlevel” aquariums” than I’ve seen people relieve stress by shimming “unlevel” aquariums… and over the years very few of my aquariums have been perfectly “level”…
Pharoah... since you suggested that "leveling a previously established un-level tank" is a common cause of breaking tanks... and in your next post you suggested someone level their tank... I would explect you to offer an explaination of how to do so without breaking their tank, or at the very least warn them of what to look for...
It was because the stand being used was twisted and this created torque on the glass causing the front pane of glass to split...
I disagree completely that an “unlevel” tank is any risk what-so-ever… I feel this is simply the wrong word to be used and by using the wrong word many people are alarmed when they shouldn’t be…
Picture this… a perfect rectangle sitting on a perfect rectangle of the same size… sitting on a slight incline… If the top rectangle is an aquarium and the bottom rectangle is a solid base, is the aquarium at any risk?
If a tank sits ‘flat’ on its stand which is also ‘flat’… then the tank is fine, even if it’s a bit off level…
The situation that causes problems is when the tank does not sit flat on it’s stand…
I’ve seen more people apply stress to “unlevel” aquariums” than I’ve seen people relieve stress by shimming “unlevel” aquariums… and over the years very few of my aquariums have been perfectly “level”…
Pharoah... since you suggested that "leveling a previously established un-level tank" is a common cause of breaking tanks... and in your next post you suggested someone level their tank... I would explect you to offer an explaination of how to do so without breaking their tank, or at the very least warn them of what to look for...
Question for ya NC_Nutcase...
In your opinion what is an acceptable range for an un-level tank? I ask because I noticed my tank was slightly off last night - borrowing a level today to see just how off (I would imagine less then half an inch) and for me it's going to be a pain to get it leveled (I know I'm a strong chick but 300+ lbs on my own may be pushing it).
In your opinion what is an acceptable range for an un-level tank? I ask because I noticed my tank was slightly off last night - borrowing a level today to see just how off (I would imagine less then half an inch) and for me it's going to be a pain to get it leveled (I know I'm a strong chick but 300+ lbs on my own may be pushing it).
If... the tank is sitting perfectly flat on a stand that is perfectly flat...
Being "unlevel" would produce so little of an increase in stress, that stress will never be a problem...
Therefore it could be "unlevel" to the point just shy of the tank tipping over or sliding off it's base... So it would completely depend on the size of the tank, but using a 75 gal tank as an example... I'd guess around 3~4" front to back... or 1.5~2' (yes feet) left to right...
Having said that...
It is important that the stand/base is "flat" and that the tank sits "flat" on the stand...
Long ago people replaced the word "flat" with the word "level" and then propagated this theory out of context. Today unfortunately, far more people have heard the right theory using the wrong word which makes the theory no longer true...
It's like replacing the word "butter" with the word "cream cheese" then cooking a meal... and wondering why the meal tastes funny...
This is the kind of problem we see when people simply repeat what they’ve heard without having a proper understanding of the what they are repeating… Which is one of the reason why I highly discourage anyone from taking advice from a short answer, or from making short answers. If the person providing the answer cannot take the time to explain the theory behind their answer, can you really expect that they have taken the time to think the answer out? Or if they cannot explain the concept behind the answer can you really trust they know what they are talking about?
Being "unlevel" would produce so little of an increase in stress, that stress will never be a problem...
Therefore it could be "unlevel" to the point just shy of the tank tipping over or sliding off it's base... So it would completely depend on the size of the tank, but using a 75 gal tank as an example... I'd guess around 3~4" front to back... or 1.5~2' (yes feet) left to right...
Having said that...
It is important that the stand/base is "flat" and that the tank sits "flat" on the stand...
Long ago people replaced the word "flat" with the word "level" and then propagated this theory out of context. Today unfortunately, far more people have heard the right theory using the wrong word which makes the theory no longer true...
It's like replacing the word "butter" with the word "cream cheese" then cooking a meal... and wondering why the meal tastes funny...
This is the kind of problem we see when people simply repeat what they’ve heard without having a proper understanding of the what they are repeating… Which is one of the reason why I highly discourage anyone from taking advice from a short answer, or from making short answers. If the person providing the answer cannot take the time to explain the theory behind their answer, can you really expect that they have taken the time to think the answer out? Or if they cannot explain the concept behind the answer can you really trust they know what they are talking about?
That makes sense - thank you for the explanation regarding this issue as it has helped.
The stand is sitting flat on the carpet and the tank is sitting flat on the stand. I am still going to get that level tonight to see just how un-level it is for my own reference.
But thank you again
The stand is sitting flat on the carpet and the tank is sitting flat on the stand. I am still going to get that level tonight to see just how un-level it is for my own reference.
But thank you again
cypher1024;3396554; said:CHOMPERS disagrees. Maybe you two should fight?
I might have to have a talk with him. LOL
IMO, I would disagree as I have had a seam burst for this reason. The tank was setup unlevel at my old house. When setup again it was leveled. The lower seam gave out in less than a day.
As for the mathematics behind it and justifying my rationale, I'll leave that one alone for now. I don't do things such as that on Mondays. LOL