Tank bow

paxton.rock · Mar 12, 2023

Tank is bowing on the front and back and still has 10 gallons left to put in. IS THIS NORMAL?

AydenLincoln · Mar 12, 2023

What is the stand on? How old is it? I’m not sure how we can tell from this photo? At least I can’t lol. Others were more helpful.

paxton.rock · Mar 12, 2023

Concrete floor

SpyC · Mar 12, 2023

That looks like a 55g tank with rhe center brace broken off. That missing brace is what helps keep the tank from bowing and losing integrity. I would remove that water immediately and get a new tank.

bradreef · Mar 12, 2023

Tank do bow. I had a 29 gallon that bowed more than my 75 due to the center brace. What are dimensions?

Cell · Mar 12, 2023

SpyC said:
That looks like a 55g tank with rhe center brace broken off. That missing brace is what helps keep the tank from bowing and losing integrity. I would remove that water immediately and get a new tank.

This. You can see where the center brace used to be.

Fishy888 · Mar 12, 2023

I wouldn’t trust it. I’d get another tank and sell the 55 as a reptile tank.

PotatoPig · Mar 12, 2023

Bad news: Without the center brace the tank is not functioning per design. All the glass and joints are working way way harder than they’re designed for. You’re at high risk of imminent catastrophic failure. Drain immediately.

Good news: Petco’s having their half price tank sale so you can economically replace it.

SpyC · Mar 12, 2023

Cell said:
This. You can see where the center brace used to be.

And where someone made a poor attempt at putting in a new acrylic one.

paxton.rock · Mar 12, 2023

it’s a 125 gallon. We have it clamped together right now. Is there any way to modify it? I know people do after market braces.

SpyC said:
That looks like a 55g tank with rhe center brace broken off. That missing brace is what helps keep the tank from bowing and losing integrity. I would remove that water immediately and get a new tank

SpyC · Mar 12, 2023

paxton.rock said:
it’s a 125 gallon. We have it clamped together right now. Is there any way to modify it? I know people do after market braces.

You can buy a new brace for that make/model of tank, empty the tank completely, remove the old one brace, and silicone the new brace on. There isn't enough of the old brace left to create a new center brace. You could possibly drain the tank, measure the distance between the ends of the brace, create an acrylic brace to go over the edges, then refill the tank, but idk hkw forgiving it would be if your measurements are off.

You also might be able to create your own eurobrace, but you would still need to drain the tank so there is no flex on the panels when completthe work

paxton.rock · Mar 12, 2023

How can I find out the brand? I was not the buyer.

SpyC said:
You can buy a new brace for that make/model of tank, empty the tank completely, remove the old one brace, and silicone the new brace on. There isn't enough of the old brace left to create a new center brace. You could possibly drain the tank, measure the distance between the ends of the brace, create an acrylic brace to go over the edges, then refill the tank, but idk hkw forgiving it would be if your measurements are off.

You also might be able to create your own eurobrace, but you would still need to drain the tank so there is no flex on the panels when completthe work

KristianS · Mar 12, 2023

Id drain and buy another one, sell as reptile tank. Anything you put in there setup wise (rock/sand/equipment/livestock/coral) is likely gonna be more expensive than a used 120, and you risk losing it and damaging floor and still needing new tank.

vetteguy53081 · Mar 12, 2023

paxton.rock said:
Tank is bowing on the front and back and still has 10 gallons left to put in. IS THIS NORMAL?

Not normal and is happening because this type construction requires and is supposed to have a center brace to prevent bowing.
You will have to have a eurobracing center fabricated and welded with High strength epoxy or weldon cement.
Ive seen clamps used which are aesthetically ugly and Aqueon company sells new frames which are siliconed to tank which will have a center brace as part of frame