To use or not to use (tank bow)

West1 · Oct 15, 2017

Looking to upgrade my 17gl frag and found a used tank with stand/canopy. When I seen it I thought the stand and canopy was hideous but it has potential with some wood filler and a couple rounds of paint. Tank had a slight bow and had been empty for a couple weeks.

So I picked it up and brought it home, filled with water to do a leak test and noticed it bows 1/2" on the front and a maybe 3/8" on back. Tank is not leveled to start with but here are pics... opinions pls.

Tyvm!

ludnix · Oct 15, 2017

I think a lot of acrylic tanks get manufactured with a little bit too thin of acrylic for my personal comfort. I've seen a LOT of acrylic tanks with that kind of bowing and no immediate issues. I would be wary of any crazing or fine cracking lines where it's bowing though and wouldn't use it if I saw any.

West1 · Oct 15, 2017

Thx and good point.
Seams look fine, no cracks, bubbling or signs of possible leak.
This fixer upper should take 1-2 months as I plan to diy an overflow, herbie plumbing and restore stand/canopy. I think this will give me a better idea on strength.

I just needed to know if it's worth the time based on the initial bow. Sounds like I'll start this journey... tyvm

pdxmonkeyboy · Oct 17, 2017

I have built many an acrylic tank and the only ones that bow like that are store bought ones.

I would give you this guideline.. if its taller than 24" and isn't made of at least 1/2" I wouldn't trust it..

West1 · Oct 17, 2017

It is not 1/2" and a Truvu tank.

nautical_nathaniel · Oct 17, 2017

I don't think I would invest any more money and time into something that bows that much. That's mainly a personal preference of mine, but I would much rather have something sturdier and engineered to withstand the weight of the water it is meant to hold without jeopardizing the structural integrity of the main panel. If that tank blows out the front panel it will cost a whole lot more in damages than it would to get something sturdier now. I know that's a risk with all tanks, but that amount of give in the main panel of the tank makes me uneasy.

West1 · Oct 17, 2017

nautical_nathaniel said:
I don't think I would invest any more money and time into something that bows that much. That's mainly a personal preference of mine, but I would much rather have something sturdier and engineered to withstand the weight of the water it is meant to hold without jeopardizing the structural integrity of the main panel. If that tank blows out the front panel it will cost a whole lot more in damages than it would to get something sturdier now. I know that's a risk with all tanks, but that amount of give in the main panel of the tank makes me uneasy.

Yes I agree. I am looking into www.glasscages.com

swk · Oct 17, 2017

I think it’ll be fine structurally, but that much bowing will cause distortion. Would work in a pinch if you needed though.

ludnix · Oct 17, 2017

If you're looking at glasscages be wary of the acrylic thickness there too. Some of their prebuilt ready to sell tanks are going to have the same issue. Acrylic is 10x stronger than glass and its ability to flex with stress is a huge factor in that.

West1 · Oct 17, 2017

ludnix said:
If you're looking at glasscages be wary of the acrylic thickness there too. Some of their prebuilt ready to sell tanks are going to have the same issue. Acrylic is 10x stronger than glass and its ability to flex with stress is a huge factor in that.

I was actually looking at their glass tanks not acrylic. I know Petco is having their 1.00 per gallon sale but I just have many doubts of their build quality.

Doing some reading I seen many people recommend www.glasscages.com for their glass tanks.

swk · Oct 17, 2017

My buddy uses them for his aquaculture tanks and has been nothing short of thrilled with them.

West1 · Oct 17, 2017

swk said:
My buddy uses them for his aquaculture tanks and has been nothing short of thrilled with them.

With the glass tank correct?

chefjpaul · Oct 17, 2017

I wouldn't sleep at night and be stressed all day at work with that honestly

madweazl · Oct 17, 2017

Truvu has been making tanks as long as I can remember and I've never seen any complaints of failing tanks. Most of the commonly available acrylics tanks will do the same, I wouldn't worry too much about it if the seems are in good shape. Could always contact them directly and ask them how much bowing is too much.

West1 · Oct 17, 2017

madweazl said:
Truvu has been making tanks as long as I can remember and I've never seen any complaints of failing tanks. Most of the commonly available acrylics tanks will do the same, I wouldn't worry too much about it if the seems are in good shape. Could always contact them directly and ask them how much bowing is too much.

I did not think of that, I'm on it!

swk · Oct 17, 2017

West1 said:
With the glass tank correct?

Correct.

And I’ll also echo the other comment about truvu. They are based in Hayward and I’m in Santa Rosa, about a 75 min drive from there. Literally almost every acrylic tank in the sf Bay Area is a truvu and I’ve never ONCE heard of one failing.

West1 · Oct 17, 2017

Emailed Truvu, will update when they respond.

I did receive a reply from glasscages and a 150.00 tank has a 240.00 shipping fee. I don't see the need to pay that much on shipping when LA seems to have a lot of tanks for sale. It sucks their trucks don't come out to LA anymore.

swk · Oct 17, 2017

West1 said:
Emailed Truvu, will update when they respond.

I did receive a reply from glasscages and a 150.00 tank has a 240.00 shipping fee. I don't see the need to pay that much on shipping when LA seems to have a lot of tanks for sale. It sucks their trucks don't come out to LA anymore.

Are you in California?