Acrylic bowing question

[nate167]

So just filled my 300 gallon tank and the front is bowing about 5/8”. Top is eurobraced and acrylic is 1/2”. Tank is 96x24x30. I bought the tank used and saw it running beforehand but didn’t notice the bowing till now. I’ve been reading that acrylic will bow but is this within the acceptable range?

 

[Suohhen]

Can't really generalize. That much bowing can be ok but isnt reassuring that the builder chose to be cheap so where else is quality compromised. If the seams and the like all look solid you'll be fine. Acrylic is incredibly strong so it is not like it is going to fail and the seams are where failures do happen.

 

[nate167]

Can't really generalize. That much bowing can be ok but isnt reassuring that the builder chose to be cheap so where else is quality compromised. If the seams and the like all look solid you'll be fine. Acrylic is incredibly strong so it is not like it is going to fail and the seams are where failures do happen.

Just about all my seams look like the first pic. The worst one is the side/top brace one in the second photo.

 

[Suohhen]

Just about all my seams look like the first pic. The worst one is the side/top brace one in the second photo.

Not great but I am not really qualified to judge what qualifies as a compromised seam. My main concern would be that there is significant visible evidence of straining (those closely spaced perpendicular lines.) Certainly not the worst seam I have seen but this is a big tank.

 

[Suohhen]

I don't want to give the impression that I think your tank is **** I just don't think "it should be okay" is an acceptable statement in this case. Most forums have an expert and I would @ them for ya however I have been away from r2r for a while and cannot remember who this particular expert would be.

 

[piranhaman00]

30” tall with 1/2” material is not ideal. The crazing seams are normal. Shouldn’t be an issue but more crazing will probably happen with the material. Il