My tank is bowing.

[da8th1dr]

After two weeks up and running my 150 gal tall tank has bowed out at the top. So much so that the glass support that runs across the middle for support for the top has fallen in. I drained the tank down by a third and it came back in. How do I fix it? Why di it bow? Is this normal? Help!

 

[MatthewLaw]

what kind of stand are you using? can you provide a picture?

 

[da8th1dr]

Bowed tank

I built it with Pressure treated 4x4's and 2x4's. It is square and I leveled it on the floor with metal shims. It is well supported. I have attached pics. For the first week their wasn't any bowing, then one morning the piece of glass across the top had fallen in.

 

[MatthewLaw]

intersting. is this a new tank? either new to you or brand new?

 

[da8th1dr]

bought it used a few weeks ago. It was several years old.

 

[MatthewLaw]

hmmm i am thinking there was some weakness in the tank/brace BEFORE you purchased it. hmm.. maybe installing a few new extra braces would help support the tank?

 

[skratikans]

its made of glass? You are lucky it didnt snap

 

[Chris_A]

How far was it bowing in the middle and how thick is the glass (tank and brace)? Do you know if the tank sat empty for an extended amount of time? Also, wouldn't happen to know what brand it is?

Long come short, you'll have to take down the tank and silicone in the brace again (I assume it's the silicone that failed not the glass it's self?). Depending on the thickness of the tank glass it might be worth buying a new, wider brace from a glass shop. If it sat empty for a long time it might even be worth being pro-active and resealing it.

Chris

 

[TMony]

With a 150 gallon tank, I think Chris is correct . . . I would take the extra precaution and reseal the entire tank. This is very cheap insurance for the disaster that could happen if you don't do it. It's very lucky the whole thing didn't come apart when the center brace let loose. Consider that a huge stroke of luck and don't risk a total blow-out.

 

[GunBarrelGirl]

Mine, Too!

Mine is a 125 gallon tank. Same thing happened to me last night. It is an old glass tank. I have had it for 10 years and bought it used. It has been in its current location for 3 years. (Full) I drained half the water out to relieve some of the pressure.

Were you able to repair yours? How did you do it?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Joe Fish]

You can buy new braces. I did this to my last tank after I broke the brace.

 

[epond83]

Where did you get the brace? I have a 125 that is also bowing and i'm trying to fix it so i can get it up and running again

 

[Joe Fish]

I think I got it at that pet place. It was the whole top bracket/brace. I think it was $20.