Help... 55 Gallon Glass Tank Bowing

[forreal]

Hey guys...
I just bought a 55 gallon tank with 3' x 15" x 2' with a Glass thickness of 6mm.The guy at the fish store told me 6mm was sufficient for my tank..
When i filled my tank up to 20" , the front and back panels of the tank bowed up to 1.5cm...http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?app=forums&module=post&section=post&do=new_post&f=26# so i researched bout it on the net and found out that for a high tank the thickness of the glass matters the most..
So i was wondering, will reducing the level of water in my tank solve this problem and up to how many inches should i fill my tank with water.. Whats the safety factor for the bowing..
And reducing the water level obviously makes it look very empty so what type of Plants(floating or half submerged) can i put in there..
It is a gift from my mom so I wanna make it work... Help
Thanks in advance..

 

[RustedKnight]

Honestly, i'd say take it back to the shop you got it from. Demand a refund and name and shame the guy who said 6mm would be ok. Buy a new tank with some decent glass, and enjoy life.

That's my advice.

 

[rdp50734]

I agree with rusty, 6 mm is not enough for that much water. 15mm bowing is not good, if you lean on the glass when doing maintenance I'm sure it will go!

Tell the shop the deflection is far too much and demand your money back. If they refuse threaten them with trading standards as you were sold an inadequate product under the companies advise!

 

[the biffster]

i agree with the rest
it should be braced
if it 2'deep if not
it should be made of
10 or 12 mm glass and
not 6 mm

 

[forreal]

I think i will do that... Thanks guys...http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?app=forums&module=post&section=post&do=reply_post&f=26&t=344718#
I have another question....
Is the glass thickness based on the height of the tank or the water level in the tank???
And does the thickness vary with the width... or does it solely depend on the length and height???

 

[the biffster]

i think it goes on capacity
of the tank the greater the
capacity the grater the water
pressure the thicker the glass

 

[Skins]

I'm no expert but i would imagine the more surface area of glass and the ammount of water the aquarium will hold would determine the thickness of glass, comes down to how much pressure the glass has to take.

Skins.

I must have been typing when you sent yours Biff

 

[kizno1]

i think it goes on capacity
of the tank the greater the
capacity the grater the water
pressure the thicker the glass

Its both that and the hight. The hight does play a big part in the thickness of glass needed. For any tank 2 foot which you should be looking at atleast 10mm thick glass.

 

[the biffster]

i was going to say 18 inches
but wasn't to sure were or not

 

[kizno1]

i was going to say 18 inches
but wasn't to sure were or not

For 18" tanks i think it normally 8mm thick glass but im not to sure but if it was a big tank (4'+) it would probably be 10mm+

 

[the biffster]

i was going to say 18 inches
but wasn't to sure were or not

For 18" tanks i think it normally 8mm thick glass but im not to sure but if it was a big tank (4'+) it would probably be 10mm+

i have two 48x12x15 and there made of 6mm
with cross braces and a 36x12x16 made of 7mm
with no cross braces

 

[kizno1]

i was going to say 18 inches
but wasn't to sure were or not

For 18" tanks i think it normally 8mm thick glass but im not to sure but if it was a big tank (4'+) it would probably be 10mm+

i have two 48x12x15 and there made of 6mm
with cross braces and a 36x12x16 made of 7mm
with no cross braces

Im not to sure then. I wouldnt think it matters to much because there not to high. Like i said i think the hight plays a big difference in the glass thickness needed.

 

[the biffster]

i was going to say 18 inches
but wasn't to sure were or not

For 18" tanks i think it normally 8mm thick glass but im not to sure but if it was a big tank (4'+) it would probably be 10mm+

i have two 48x12x15 and there made of 6mm
with cross braces and a 36x12x16 made of 7mm
with no cross braces

Im not to sure then. I wouldnt think it matters to much because there not to high. Like i said i think the hight plays a big difference in the glass thickness needed.

i agree on that anything
over 18inches needs to be
made from 10 or 12 mm glass

 

[forreal]

Thank you