Acrylic tank support question

[TX_Punisher]

got an acrylic frag tank recently 18” x 18” x 12”. I had a spare Red Sea stand on hand s d thought it would match my 750 stand but oops, Red Sea stands have a cutout in the back for overflows which is also cut out on the top of the stand. Placing my frag tank on the stand leaves a 6-8” section of the back unsupported. Will this cause issues? This is my first acrylic tank and don’t want to blow a seam. Thanks.

 

[TX_Punisher]

Another from under.

 

[Old Fritz]

It'll be fine for a while but it will eventually blow the seal. Whether that's 2 weeks from now or 2 years who knows but seals on acrylic tanks are far weaker than glass tanks

 

[TX_Punisher]

I’ll add a support from underneath or another top piece of my own to support the rear.

Thanks

 

[MnFish1]

couldn't you just put a piece of plywood the same dimensions as the tank over the Red Sea?

 

[TX_Punisher]

couldn't you just put a piece of plywood the same dimensions as the tank over the Red Sea?

Probably what I’m do.

 

[MnFish1]

Probably what I’m do.

Or something that looks nice. I know you can get sheets similar to the tops of redseatanks at home sepot

 

[ca1ore]

It'll be fine for a while but it will eventually blow the seal. Whether that's 2 weeks from now or 2 years who knows but seals on acrylic tanks are far weaker than glass tanks

Not true .... they’re not even ‘seals’. Rather the seams are welded together to essentially be a single piece - in well made acrylic tanks that is. I don’t think the OP really needs worry about a small section like that.

 

[Old Fritz]

Not true .... they’re not even ‘seals’. Rather the seams are welded together to essentially be a single piece - in well made acrylic tanks that is. I don’t think the OP really needs worry about a small section like that.

I've seen acrylic tanks blow from not being properly supported from anywhere from like 3 weeks to a year because they made their own table and it wasn't level or the right dimensions. Some cheaper acrylic tanks have silicone seals as its cheaper than basically making one solid piece of acrylic. Either way an unsupported tank will eventually break

 

[ca1ore]

I have never seen acrylic tanks for sale with silicone joining the panels, but those would be ticking time bombs!

 

[TX_Punisher]

Advanced acrylics made the tank.

I’d still feel better about it being supported. Going to HD today to see if I can get a white matching piece.

Thanks.

 

[MnFish1]

I've seen acrylic tanks blow from not being properly supported from anywhere from like 3 weeks to a year because they made their own table and it wasn't level or the right dimensions. Some cheaper acrylic tanks have silicone seals as its cheaper than basically making one solid piece of acrylic. Either way an unsupported tank will eventually break

I didnt think silicone bonded well to acrylic. I have never seen that.