Aquarium bowing 74inch rimless

[feelingfishy]

I agree, get this thing level; as well as braced.

Is the issue with level where the stand rests on the floor?

Yes, I think the concrete floor is uneven from the get go but not by much. We had to put many shims under multiple feet to get it very close to level.

Here is what I can tell you. Before filling the tank the back length wise was perfectly level. The front lengthwise was very slightly lower on the left side so close that the bubble on the level was not touching the line. The front to back width wise seems to be consistently very slightly lower in the back over all points evenly.

Now that the tank is full, the back length wise is slightly lower to the left and all other measurements have remained the same.

All the measurements of the level ( 5 foot level ) are so slight that the bubble never touches the line.

 

[salty joe]

That's probably OK. One thing to look at is the level itself. Do you get the same read if you give the level a 180? Do you get the same read if you flip the level over? Ive seen more than one level give inconsistent (false) readings.

 

[Reefer911]

Post some pics showing the level sitting on the glass

 

[feelingfishy]

That's probably OK. One thing to look at is the level itself. Do you get the same read if you give the level a 180? Do you get the same read if you flip the level over? Ive seen more than one level give inconsistent (false) readings.

This is a smart reply. To answer the question the first level which was also a 5 footer was slightly bent, so yes it showed different when I did a 180 with it. This may have threw things off slightly but we were diligent in trying to account for the slightly bent level.

Now the new level which I just purchased new should be perfect. These are the measurements I just gave you.

Reefer I agree with you pictures being a smart reply and will get them shortly when I have someone to help. When I do show them I think you will agree it is a very tiny amount off level.

 

[feelingfishy]

So here is 5 points of the level front, back length wise, 3 points across width wise. Now that I look closer it seems the width wise left side was off a hair more then the other 2.

 

[leepink23]

When I decided to add bracing to my rimless, I added 4 front to back. I originally was doing 2 for a canopy then decided why not do more for for extra security. I had no Bowing and tank was level but I knew the 2 in the middle would help prevent any future bowing. I used 24x4 by 1/2 glass and aquarium silicone. I put 2 pound weights on top for 24 hours. Probably would need to drain yours, ensure it’s level and then add bracing.

 

[feelingfishy]

When I decided to add bracing to my rimless, I added 4 front to back. I originally was doing 2 for a canopy then decided why not do more for for extra security. I had no Bowing and tank was level but I knew the 2 in the middle would help prevent any future bowing. I used 24x4 by 1/2 glass and aquarium silicone. I put 2 pound weights on top for 24 hours. Probably would need to drain yours, ensure it’s level and then add bracing.

Thanks for the example. This would be the great approach for my tank as well. At least for the middle braces, not sure how well it would work if I tied them to the first 3/4 inch piece of glass or If I would need to cross both pieces in the back.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

I'm wondering who made the tank, why the secretive nature of the manufacturer. Prolly red sea, or the like. Most brands worth their salt will brace a rimless tank, especially a 6ft tank.

 

[feelingfishy]

CADE made the tank, no secret and for the most part I am very pleased with it.

CADE2100s2 I just wanted to establish the problem before I said anything.

 

[Harpo]

The tank is bowing near 7/16ths of an inch in the middle. The main thing that concerns me though is in this picture I can physically feel and see the top back left silicone has shifted with the glass. Look close at the picture and you can see it’s pretty significant.

The tank is a prebuilt manu tank that’s fairly common in the hobby.

Start moving your corals and start draining ASAP

 

[feelingfishy]

Is it the shift in the silicone that made you say that? its Only on the top and tapers down to flush on the bottom.

 

[Reefering1]

7/16" is a lot for glass to bow. Idk the breaking point but I wouldn't even feel comfortable standing in front that tank. 7/16" is almost half a inch, or 11mm- that is the correct measurement of bowing?

 

[CBonito]

The tank is bowing near 7/16ths of an inch in the middle. The main thing that concerns me though is in this picture I can physically feel and see the top back left silicone has shifted with the glass. Look close at the picture and you can see it’s pretty significant.

The tank is a prebuilt manu tank that’s fairly common in the hobby.

Yeah, it appears as if that back panel wants to exit stage left...how annoying!

 

[feelingfishy]

Yes, I should say that it was spanning the width of the whole tank. So half of that roughly for the front and back. So I would say more on the back like 1/4 inch and 3/16 of an inch on the front.

 

[leepink23]

Thanks for the example. This would be the great approach for my tank as well. At least for the middle braces, not sure how well it would work if I tied them to the first 3/4 inch piece of glass or If I would need to cross both pieces in the back.

I would definitely be in contact with Cade before doing modifications though. Probably just the back piece that is the actual aquarium. If under warranty maybe they will replace.

 

[feelingfishy]

I have a picture of the tank before the install and it was square though. It was off level by so little I would be shocked if it broke.

 

[Reefering1]

I'll 15th the recommendation of drain and brace(if Cade doesn't do something about it). Leave the rocks alone, just drain the water(so it stops bowing), clean and euro brace with healthy center brace. My 72" eurobraced has a 12" wide center brace and 3" strips around the perimeter(inside the tank)

 

[ReefEco]

Eeek - my sympathies. You can measure the tank top corner to opposite corner, then the other corner to opposite corner. These measurements should exactly match - if not, you have twisting. Also, when I was getting my tank made by AGE, they specifically said that eurobracing does basically nothing for structural integrity - but is essentially just a splash guard. They use powder coated metal top and bottom frames for their tanks, so I'm not sure if this was just marketing speak. On a tank, the pressure on the bottom seam is significantly greater than that on the top, which also might play into why Eurobracing the top is less impactful. One more reason to not use rimless designs for larger tanks like this...

 

[feelingfishy]

Got it. I shot Algaebarn an email just waiting for the response. I know it will be Monday before they get to it.

 

[feelingfishy]

Eeek - my sympathies. You can measure the tank top corner to opposite corner, then the other corner to opposite corner. These measurements should exactly match - if not, you have twisting. Also, when I was getting my tank made by AGE, they specifically said that eurobracing does basically nothing for structural integrity - but is essentially just a splash guard. They use powder coated metal top and bottom frames for their tanks, so I'm not sure if this was just marketing speak. On a tank, the pressure on the bottom seam is significantly greater than that on the top, which also might play into why Eurobracing the top is less impactful. One more reason to not use rimless designs for larger tanks like this...

Thanks for this. I will go promptly and check.