Custom build rimless tank bowing

[Kyl]

Blasting vendors that pull garbage and won't make it right is about all the recourse you have left.

 

[CindyKz]

No refund or return possible.

Whaaaat? Says who, the company? It's possible, they just don't want to do it.

I would be blasting them on every reefing website and Facebook page I could find. That is unacceptable.

The $150 eurobracing might be an option if it solves the problem. I don't have the knowledge to know if that will overcome the thin glass or not.

 

[kirinreef]

Whaaaat? Says who, the company? It's possible, they just don't want to do it.

I would be blasting them on every reefing website and Facebook page I could find. That is unacceptable.

The $150 eurobracing might be an option if it solves the problem. I don't have the knowledge to know if that will overcome the thin glass or not.

Thats what im trying to find out, whether the euro bracing is gonna make it right.

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

Sorry man, the store has a facebook page.. maybe some collective pressure on them. This isn't a case of "hey, this broke and they are not warrantying it" or other types of things people complain about. This is about poor workmanship and disregard for industry wide tank construction standards.

 

[coseal]

not trying to defend this builder or the thickness of glass used on this build but.... have any of you guys ever taken a straight edge to the top of your tank?

i do agree the amount of bow is really noticeable! and i would be a little uncomfortable about it.

 

[lpsouth1978]

not trying to defend this builder or the thickness of glass used on this build but.... have any of you guys ever taken a straight edge to the top of your tank?

i do agree the amount of bow is really noticeable! and i would be a little uncomfortable about it.

As a matter of fact I have, And my 3/4" glass bows SLIGHTLY. I'm talking about 1/8", nothing like the OP is experiencing. I would absolutely NOT fill that tank. It will break and cause MAJOR headaches. Dump 20gal on your floor and see just what a mess that makes (don't actually do this). I can tell you from experience that you do not want that tank to burst and flood your home because of an incompetent builder.

 

[Kjames]

Whaaaat? Says who, the company? It's possible, they just don't want to do it.

I would be blasting them on every reefing website and Facebook page I could find. That is unacceptable.

The $150 eurobracing might be an option if it solves the problem. I don't have the knowledge to know if that will overcome the thin glass or not.

This^
Legitimate companies stand by their products/services. Poor workmanship should be remedied - even at a loss. Anyone who says "that's not possible" is either not in charge or a real piece of garbage who deserves to go out of business.

 

[John08007]

That right there is TOTAL crap. No reputable tank builder would build a 24" tall rimless tank with 1/2" glass. It is careless to say the least and down right dangerous. My 6x3x24" AGE rimless is 3/4" glass with metal banding on the bottom and THICK silicone on the panels.

I don't want to sound inciting or anything, but a 24" deep water column, held only by a 1/2" thick wide strip of silicone is an accident waiting to happen. The fact that the glass is bending should be a clue that there are serious forces at work. Acrylic can bend all day long.. but in addition to glass not liking to bend, you are now putting a tangential force (not totally perpendicular) on the aquarium seams.

I would call the CC company, and let the company know that they will be installing bracing for free.

I have a 75G rimless that's 30" tall 24x24, I'm 99% sure it's 1/2", but granted it's only 24" wide so not wide enough to bow. Made by a national company, forget the name, blue something

 

[lpsouth1978]

I have a 75G rimless that's 30" tall 24x24, I'm 99% sure it's 1/2", but granted it's only 24" wide so not wide enough to bow. Made by a national company, forget the name, blue something

24" length is the reason it works on yours. Tripling the length, the pressure exerted by the water is SIGNIFICANTLY higher.

 

[John08007]

24" length is the reason it works on yours. Tripling the length, the pressure exerted by the water is SIGNIFICANTLY higher.

Yea, that's what I think. I had a 360G yrs ago, 36" tall, 96" long it was 3/4"

 

[W1ngz]

NAFB is often discussed on the Reef Canada facebook page. I'd head there, maybe start with a lead-in question about people's opinion on glass thickness at 5'x24" before mentioning the tank you have. If the same consensus develops there, as here bring up the tank he made you. If one tank is gonna cost him his reputation, he may change his mind.

If you want a comparison of direct competition, send the dimensions to Concept aquariums and ask them for a quote.(they're in Calgary and made my 90 starfire cube, shipped to Montreal). I bet they won't build it if you ask for 1/2in no bracing.

 

[Dom]

This whole situation makes me very uncomfortable.

As an experienced tank builder, how can he recommend building a tank with such thing glass at those dimensions?

Even if euro bracing solves the problem, a tank that size with such thin glass is going to be very fragile.

For me, it isn’t just about the tanks ability to hold water. It’s also about the tanks ability to withstand an impact.

I would be afraid that with all of the pressure on such thin glass the smallest of taps, or accidental bumps, can cause the tank to shatter.

As has been mentioned previously, credit card companies have awesome consumer protection. I would definitely raise the issue with my credit card company and resolve for nothing less than having The tank reconstructed with a proper glass thickness.

 

[Bigwrasse]

Tell him you ordered a Rimless and he gave you a bow front

 

[RBReefing]

Big wrasse wins the comment award! In all seriousness that sucks. If it’s not done right and you do have a blow out think of what the cost of the damage to your house will be. That may make want to eat your losses and just scrap it. I agree a pre stressed glass will not be as strong. It could already have micro cracks that can propagate over time esp if there is wave action in the tanks. It’s called fatigue in engineering terms.

 

[codycolina707]

**** this kinda got me worried about my 5x2x2 tank it's only 12mm glass with eurobracing guess I'll find out when I fill it up

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

24" length is the reason it works on yours. Tripling the length, the pressure exerted by the water is SIGNIFICANTLY higher.

Not that it matters, but I don't think that is actually true. The depth of the water dictates the pressure exerted on the glass. The volume of the water is inconsequential, it is the depth of water that dictates pressure, not the volume or shape.

a 2' wide tank with 1/2 wouldn't bow because there is such a short distance between anchor points and glass is just like any other material that is subject to deflection. The eurobrace prevents deflection by transferring deflection stresses to the brace along the longer axis of the brace.

Bottom line line however, I would NEVER sleep at night if this tank was in my house.

 

[Kyl]

To echo the comment above about making it right, I know both of the main tank builders up here (Concept / Miracles) have eaten the complete cost of tanks and re-built them to even fix COSMETIC flaws. And I'm not talking little 40 gallon tanks, I know of a ~250 gallon personally that was rebuilt because the front panel arrived with two giant scratches in it, and the acrylic on the back wasn't machined correctly. Both things that would have no bearing at all on the operation or safety of the tank, but redone to make it right.

 

[RBReefing]

Brian is 100% correct

 

[W1ngz]

have eaten the complete cost of tanks and re-built them to even fix COSMETIC flaws.

This. Custom built tanks is such a niche thing, that these places need word of mouth to keep business coming in.

 

[Dave1987]

2 feet height corresponds with about 60cm

60cm height requires 10mm glass minimum... But this is "with" braces.

1/2 inch corresponds with about 12mm

For a rimless you would have to move up a notch or maybe 2.

So I cant really say the builder has done anything wrong.

That being said. Every tank bows. The longer your panel the more it bows. My 100cm with 10mm glass bows a little.

I would really like to know,how much your tank actually bows. Pictures cant really say accuratly.

Dont panick. Give me some numbers. And if your really uncomfortable just put 2 braces in and enjoy your tank.

Added a picture so you can see it on my tank.