Custom build rimless tank bowing

[kirinreef]

I have filled my custom build rimless tank, it's 5ft x 2ft x 2 ft tank, with 1/2inch glass, now it's bowing at both 5 ft side, Should i be worried? What should I do?

 

[Silver14SS]

Did you build it? If not, I recommend contacting the builder and asking them for advice.

 

[kirinreef]

I bought it from a tank builder.

 

[BZOFIQ]

That doesn't look great!

Who built it?

 

[AdamB]

I have filled my custom build rimless tank, it's 5ft x 2ft x 2 ft tank, with 1/2inch glass, now it's bowing at both 5 ft side, Should i be worried? What should I do?

Call the builder for sure

 

[Silver14SS]

If this was just a water test, I'd drain it until getting it resolved with the builder. Looks like a mess waiting to happen leaving it as is.

 

[Matt1997]

Tank that size should have minimum 5/8”, 3/4” preferred

 

[JumboShrimp]

NG. "Not Good."

 

[John08007]

Never really seen flexible-bendy glass, id get that drained asap before it decides to on its own

 

[malacoda]

1. lower the water level down to ~18" ASAP. If the glass is bowing it means there is stress on the silicon seams. The seams will give out well before the glass does.

2. Call the builder and find out what's going on. It looks rimless. And with no eurobracing along the top no less.

Most pros -- well-known names like Reef Savvy, TankMeUSA, Crystal Reef Aquatics, etc. -- will not build a rimless taller than 20" (22" max) without eurobracing.

I'm no tank builder, but did a LOT of research before deciding what size and shape rimless I wanted custom made ... and everything I read indicated that once you get above 20" without eurobracing, you stand significant risk of bowing.

 

[Brian_68]

I bought it from a tank builder.

That glass looks very thin for that size rimless tank.

 

[Katrina71]

I'd be very worried.

 

[kirinreef]

Thanks guys, I will definitely call the builder tmw, and figure how could this be fixed, may be adding eurobracing, would that be an option?

 

[kiMxD]

Thanks guys, I will definitely call the builder tmw, and figure how could this be fixed, may be adding eurobracing, would that be an option?

Id have him replacing the seams and the two bowed panels before adding any eurobrace. If you bought it new, he should have done it right the first time.

 

[hart24601]

1. lower the water level down to ~18" ASAP. If the glass is bowing it means there is stress on the silicon seams. The seams will give out well before the glass does.

2. Call the builder and find out what's going on. It looks rimless. And with no eurobracing along the top no less.

Most pros -- well-known names like Reef Savvy, TankMeUSA, Crystal Reef Aquatics, etc. -- will not build a rimless taller than 20" (22" max) without eurobracing.

I'm no tank builder, but did a LOT of research before deciding what size and shape rimless I wanted custom made ... and everything I read indicated that once you get above 20" without eurobracing, you stand significant risk of bowing.

I agree, the dimensions and thickness are troubling. I have a miracles rimless 48x24x24 and they insisted at that height anything under ¾” was not safe. I had them build me another tank (72x24) but out of ½” glass and they would only build it to 22” tall and put a eurobrace on it.

 

[JoshH]

I agree, the dimensions and thickness are troubling. I have a miracles rimless 48x24x24 and they insisted at that height anything under ¾” was not safe. I had them build me another tank (72x24) but out of ½” glass and they would only build it to 22” tall and put a eurobrace on it.

Miracles wouldn't let me go 1/2" at 17" high for my 5' x 30" tank and insisted on 3/4" I ended up getting it Eurobraced, so I'm kindof shocked at the OP's tank.

 

[Lawpoke87]

All of RedSeas and WaterBox rimless tanks 5' or longer are 3/4". Would think that would be the industry standard.

 

[Silver14SS]

Thanks guys, I will definitely call the builder tmw, and figure how could this be fixed, may be adding eurobracing, would that be an option?

Who built it?
If you want eurobracing that may be an option to repair it. if you ordered a rimless tank, still want a rimless tank, and relied on the builders expertise to spec the materials, you can always tell them to make a new rimless tank that won't bow

 

[kirinreef]

There was a 0.4 inch bowing when the tank was filled. Now I have drained tank and asked the builder to come to my house to add top euro bracing, hopefully it will prevent it from bowing. However, the builder says 0.4 inch bowing is ok, his own tank has bowing for 10 years and never had any problems.

 

[mrpizzaface]

There was a 0.4 inch bowing when the tank was filled. Now I have drained tank and asked the builder to come to my house to add top euro bracing, hopefully it will prevent it from bowing. However, the builder says 0.4 inch bowing is ok, his own tank has bowing for 10 years and never had any problems.

It’s is absolutely not ok. Some bowing with acrylic is normal, but is unacceptable with glass. At minimum I would want the whole tank disassembled and re sealed before the eurobracing is added.