Is my tank in trouble?

[Back where it all began]

hi, I purchased a new Deep Blue Professional Series 55 gallon this past May. It has been up and running for about 6 weeks or so. I was doing a water change and a glass cleaning when I noticed that the front pane seemed to bow. I confirmed this by using a straight edge and a level. I started to inspect the tank and I found that the front pane is up against the black bottom plastic frame in the center, but the glass and side glass meet, but not at the exact corner of the plastic edge. This is the same on both front sides of the bottom glass. The top fits flush all the way across. I will see if I can attach a pic. I did not inspect the tank when I got it, and it’s been operating with no problems. If the glass and frame have begun to change, I don’t know when.
I presume your answer will be to screw this tank and get another, but that will mean a complete rebuild and sand, rock moving etc.
Hoping you tell me otherwise, ha.

 

[Back where it all began]

The pictures are taken lookin down from above. The center pic is obviously blurry.

 

[Raege]

Never a warm fuzzy. Try mailing [email protected] to see what they say Should have a warranty. Meantime can see what more exp. folks say #reefsquad

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Hey, weird huh. Did you put the straight edge across the face of the glass or the black frame. If across the glass how much gap would you say there is on each end of the straight edge if it hits the glass in the middle?

 

[GoVols]

I'd dump the tank, and if the stand is warped, I'd let it go too...

The glass seems to be bowing on top and bottom.

You'd hate to get your reef going and come into a flood.

 

[HotRocks]

I wouldn't trust the tank. That's me, I have just seen too many malfunctions.

Easy fix now, not later. If they won't do anything about it under warranty I would still replace the tank.

Is deep blue still in business? I tried getting one of their rimless frag tanks and was unsuccessful. Maybe they just quit making those paticular models???

 

[Back where it all began]

Appreciate the responses. The top does not bow. The T square I have is 25 inches long. The top glass is flush with the black plastic. The bottom portion of the glass is flush in the center, but deflects back from the black plastic by roughly 2-3 sixteenth’s. Both sides seem fine as does the back glass.

 

[Back where it all began]

Should say that all of the glass on glass seams are perfect. As is the silicone sealant.

 

[Back where it all began]

The stand is true as well.

 

[SeaJay]

I wouldn't trust the tank. That's me, I have just seen too many malfunctions.

Easy fix now, not later. If they won't do anything about it under warranty I would still replace the tank.

Is deep blue still in business? I tried getting one of their rimless frag tanks and was unsuccessful. Maybe they just quit making those paticular models???

I believe they are Seapora now. I know Seapora was made by deep blue, but now I think they are phasing out the deep blue brand. I have a Seapora 135 and that’s what the owner of the lfs who sold it to me indicated. It is a nicely made tank.

 

[Back where it all began]

I hate to say this, but if the tank is crap, I don’t know if I have the energy to scrap the whole thing and start over. I guess we shall see.

 

[SeaJay]

I hate to say this, but if the tank is crap, I don’t know if I have the energy to scrap the whole thing and start over. I guess we shall see.

I can’t tell much from the pictures, but if the glass is straight and the seams are good, kinda sounds like the plastic trim is just not perfectly straight. I couldn’t make a decision without seeing it, but I’m leaning towards it’s gonna be fine.

 

[SeaJay]

Appreciate the responses. The top does not bow. The T square I have is 25 inches long. The top glass is flush with the black plastic. The bottom portion of the glass is flush in the center, but deflects back from the black plastic by roughly 2-3 sixteenth’s. Both sides seem fine as does the back glass.

You need a straight edge on the glass. Anything straight will work if you don’t have a long level or something to use. A broom handle or something will probably tell you what you need to know.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

I wonder if you empty the tank and run the straight edge if it's still bowed. If still bowed then maybe bad quality glass used.

 

[SeaJay]

I wonder if you empty the tank and run the straight edge if it's still bowed. If still bowed then maybe bad quality glass used.

He hasn’t actually confirmed that the glass is bowed, just that it’s not flush with the trim. If I’m not mistaken, for all we know, it could just be a bowed piece of trim. He says it’s flush at the top, but not the bottom. If the glass is bowing, I think we’d see the opposite.

 

[Lasse]

The plastic fram has only two roles - decoration and protection of glass corners. It is not a supporting part at all. The silicone does the whole work in this case. I agree with @SeaJay I do not think that this it is a real problem but if you are of the worried type - you maybe should switch it in order to calm your own concerns. But it is very dificult to judge without seeing it with my own eyes. Do as @Raege suggest. If you decide to switch it out - you do not need to redo everything again. just put the new on place and move everything direct from the old to the new tank and run the tank as usally

Sincerely Lasse

 

[ZoWhat]

I think every single tank has a naturally occurring bow in it....however so slight. Theres a certain amount of pressure constantly pushing outwards in all directions.

Now I wouldnt go running down the street yelling, "the sky is falling " .... as many above are trying to convince you to do.

I would say everyone's tanks has "settled in" to a certain amount of bow. That's why silicone is FLEXIBLE!

My solution:
I would take a MONTHLY measurement (down to the HALF-MILLIMETER) across 4 points perpendicular along the glass front. Measuring millimeters from back glass to front glass perpendicularly at 4 different points.

Write those measurements down.

I'd even MARK with a black sharpie these 4 points and keep measuring in the same exact spots every month.

If the millimeters does not change, I wouldnt worry about it.

If it does change, how is it changing? Contraction/expansion? Just expansion? I'd definitely would be concerned it the #s changed each month. Then tout the sky is falling.

We all have the concern of hearing a major CRACK and SPLASH sound waking us up at 4am.

But again if the #s in millimeters is not changing, you're in no worse of a situation than the rest of us.

Hth

 

[Back where it all began]

Hey all. Thanks for the input. I have confirmed that the front glass bows. From what I can tell, using a T-Square and level, the front bows from side to side of course, but the bow seems to be a bit off center towards the right side a bit. I have no confidence in the integrity of the unit and wrote an email to the company. I doubt that they will do much. Now I have to search and buy a 55 gallon which seems hard to do as this size is not popular I guess. I would appreciate any ideas.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Hey all. Thanks for the input. I have confirmed that the front glass bows. From what I can tell, using a T-Square and level, the front bows from side to side of course, but the bow seems to be a bit off center towards the right side a bit. I have no confidence in the integrity of the unit and wrote an email to the company. I doubt that they will do much. Now I have to search and buy a 55 gallon which seems hard to do as this size is not popular I guess. I would appreciate any ideas.

If you have backyard use it to grow pods or algae