URGENT: Is tank going to fail?

Breakin Newz · May 23, 2013

I have this aquarium setup now for a couple months, everything seems fine except the top seam where the euro-brace is.. It seems to be slowly pulling apart as you can see from the air-pockets, all the other seams around the tank seem to be fine from what I can see, I need some tank expert advice and some solid advice at that as if this is going to cause the tank to fail I will be breaking it down and moving on from this hobby.. So please only serious people that know about this kind of situation! From back to front the tank is unlevel, going from left to right it is leveled, there is no twist and from what I know the twist is what causes a tank fail?

Here is a picture, you might be able to see black marker dots, I marked it awhile back to see if it would worsen and just this morning I noticed it passed my marks..

Thank you!

revhtree · May 23, 2013

Doesn't look good but I am no expert!

46gReef · May 23, 2013

If it were me, I hate to say it but I'd break it down & start over. I wouldn't trust that seam....you said it's getting worse so just a matter of time before it gives IMO

46gReef · May 23, 2013

What size tank?

46gReef · May 23, 2013

It's not only the twist you have to worry about, there's pressure from the water that is constantly pushing against the glass

Breakin Newz · May 23, 2013

revhtree said:
Doesn't look good but I am no expert!

Def does not look good I agree on that! LOL..

46gReef said:
If it were me, I hate to say it but I'd break it down & start over. I wouldn't trust that seam....you said it's getting worse so just a matter of time before it gives IMO

If this is a big problem I am breaking down and moving on with the hobby, it'll be tough to do but this is my last straw...

46gReef said:
What size tank?

aprox. 200gallons

46gReef · May 23, 2013

Not to state the obvious but that's a lot of pressure & a lot of water on the floor. Maybe someone else can chime in on a repair possibility

eliramos · May 23, 2013

Breakin Newz said:
Def does not look good I agree on that! LOL..

If this is a big problem I am breaking down and moving on with the hobby, it'll be tough to do but this is my last straw...

aprox. 200gallons

200 gallons!! you better get my my friend lol

eliramos · May 23, 2013

eliramos said:
200 gallons!! you better get my my friend lol

get moving*** lol

Russellaqua · May 23, 2013

Seams fail for a reason, because they are overloaded. Tanks, especially large ones, need to be level in all directions. If the tank leans either forward or backward extra stress is placed on the brace and can lead to failure. I don't like the look of the seam in your tank at all. I'd break it down, and fast.

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Mike&Terry · May 23, 2013

Having experienced a catastrophic bottom seal rupture on a 300g tank in the fall of 2010, I would not risk it. Luckily we were home when it happened and managed to save all of our coral and fish, except for one of our borbonius anthias, but the damage to our home and equipment was upwards of 20K.

dougers31 · May 23, 2013

If possible I would lower the water level to reduce pressure on the seam if you really think it's going to fail....

Breakin Newz · May 23, 2013

Russellaqua said:
Seams fail for a reason, because they are overloaded. Tanks, especially large ones, need to be level in all directions. If the tank leans either forward or backward extra stress is placed on the brace and can lead to failure. I don't like the look of the seam in your tank at all. I'd break it down, and fast.

I think breaking it down is my best bet........

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Mike&Terry said:
Having experienced a catastrophic bottom seal rupture on a 300g tank in the fall of 2010, I would not risk it. Luckily we were home when it happened and managed to save all of our coral and fish, except for one of our borbonius anthias, but the damage to our home and equipment was upwards of 20K.

WOW, I am so sorry to hear!! 20k is big money!

dougers31 said:
If possible I would lower the water level to reduce pressure on the seam if you really think it's going to fail....

Yea, well hopefully I can have it down asap!

eliramos said:
200 gallons!! you better get my my friend lol

lol!

Breakin Newz · May 23, 2013

Well, just talked to a tank builder and confirmed that the seams are failing.. I put everything up for sale on my local forum, really going to miss this hobby but I guess a break won't be such a bad thing..

dougers31 · May 23, 2013

Just set up a nano...

glb · May 24, 2013

I'd try a smaller tank!

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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps and two clownfish.

Beach Bum · May 24, 2013

Good move to break down ... But why not just a new tank why sell everything?

46gReef · May 24, 2013

Sucks man, sorry you have to shut it down.

Breakin Newz · May 24, 2013

dougers31 said:
Just set up a nano...

Meh, I think once you go big you don't want anything smaller lol.. I can't see myself with a nano!

glb said:
I'd try a smaller tank!

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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps and two clownfish.

Beach Bum said:
Good move to break down ... But why not just a new tank why sell everything?

With work and just being in the hobby for the last 8 years STRAIGHT has taken a toll on me, so I think this is a good time to just take a break. I will be back though...

46gReef said:
Sucks man, sorry you have to shut it down.

Yea, always other opportunities down the road!

cubalz · May 24, 2013

You made the right choice breaking it down before the tank made the choice for you. My advise: Sell the tank but keep all of the periphery equipment. That way when you come back to the hobby (and you will) all you will need to do is get another tank and you are ready to go instead of having to re-buy everything. Ask me how I know......