Installing a 75G pre-drilled on a granite countertop

kevin1061 · Jul 5, 2013

Fellow reefers,
Yesterday was a first for me. I had set my tank carefully on a granite countertop that was mostly level. The only problem was a slight (about 1/8 inch) space between the tanks' frame and the countertop on one side. I had checked the bulkheads for leaks before installing the equipment through the holes in the granite. The tank was filled up for about 5 minutes, when I heard a drip (a leak somewhere near the bulkheads. I couldn't see anything of course. I decided to wait and see how bad the leak was, and to see if there were other leaks. Next thing I heard was a loud crack, as the tank glass cracked from the vicinity of the bulkhead diagonally to the front of the tank, bending the frame in a way that decreased the 1/8th inch space.

I'm now nervous about cracking the next tank I buy. Any tips to help me not crack another one? Is this most likely related to the space I noticed? SHould I put a wood frame around the tank and get it off the granite? Should I call in a professional installer who can be accountable if it happens again?

Thanks,
Kevin

Liquid360 · Jul 5, 2013

I'm not sure what happened but I suspect the tank was flawed from the get go... some inherent flaw. You should be fine to set it directly on granite. I've seen similar setups many times.

revhtree · Jul 5, 2013

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ohio reefer · Jul 5, 2013

My tank is on granite and has been fine for years (knock on wood)

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Eric B · Jul 5, 2013

Any crack that you see around the tank frame will cause a failure of some type. You can put a piece of pink insulation foam under the tank to eliminate this problem. I don't think that just placing wood frame around the base will solve your problem. Can the granite be leveled in anyway so that the tank trim sits with no gaps? If not then my insulation suggestion is probably going to be your only option as it will allow the tank to settle evenly and hopefully not crack on you anymore.

kevin1061 · Jul 5, 2013

Would shims help?

Eric B said:
Any crack that you see around the tank frame will cause a failure of some type. You can put a piece of pink insulation foam under the tank to eliminate this problem. I don't think that just placing wood frame around the base will solve your problem. Can the granite be leveled in anyway so that the tank trim sits with no gaps? If not then my insulation suggestion is probably going to be your only option as it will allow the tank to settle evenly and hopefully not crack on you anymore.

What do you think about me using wood shims in the space I see between the tank and the granite? Do you think that will work as well as the insulation foam?

PaulKreider · Jul 5, 2013

Post a picture, it will give us a little more insight, theres leveling gaps between the tank and counter?

engelphotos · Jul 5, 2013

I'm wondering if their where several factors that contributed to the tank cracking? The tank being UN-even and the bulk head fittings being to tight. One alone might of not effected the tank but both together might of caused the failure. Especially since you mention that it started to leak first and then cracked. Other possibility is bad tank from manufacture and started to leak from somewhere other then bulkhead and cracked. I would think that another go at it would be safe and make sure bulkhead fittings are snug and then a "little" more.

nater · Jul 5, 2013

could have been the granite , could have been over tightening of the bulk head and a small crack not seen... i know that granite is not always perfectly flat. the suggestion of using foam would be a good way to help with any imperfections. then you could glue pieces of wood trim to the frame to hide the foam.

.AcroKiller. · Jul 5, 2013

That happened to a 40b I had t cracked on the middle

Seavee1218 · Jul 5, 2013

Use a sheet off styrophome under the tank to absorb any imperfection

kevin1061 · Jul 10, 2013

I called Marineland, and they agree it was probably a defect arising in the glass after the holes were drilled. It seems they've had this happen before. The only issue is that their warranty is related to buying their tank AND their stand, but they're working with me on it.

Feivel · Jul 10, 2013

I have a tank on granite (no gaps) no issues been 2.5 years. Its a 35g. Tryvusing a straight edge (4 footer) like a level and see if its the granite top itself that is crooked. If it is 1000% flat one end to the other (make a box shape front back and sides with the level and then check like an "x") if it is flat and level i would suspect a faulty tank. Does your tank have a plastic rim on the bottom or does it sit directly on the glass?

Second note, i think a 2" pink styrofoam would defeat the purpose of the sheer beauty of the granite. You may want to look at your local dollar store and buy some thick weather stripping and line the frame of the tank on the granite and sit the tank ontop. Some stripping can be 3/4 inch giving enough support and shock absorbtion but not taking away from the look of things

Hope this helps
Cheers