This Could Have Been Bad....

[brandoncw]

So the other day when i was at the side of my tank cleaning the back i noticed something a little scary. The front and back panels of glass were bowed out a total of 2 inches

 . That's 1 inch (2.54 cm) of flex for each piece of glass. Luckily i had a sheet of 3/4 inch (19.05 mm) marine grade plywood and Thompson water proofing. I had to use a clamp to square up the glass and wooden frame again, screw in a brace,  and made a new lid that fit much tighter (that also wouldn't grow a mushroom). I'm almost certain the glass was nearing its breaking point.

 

[Flubberlump]

That is scary! It is stable now then? I'd be worried that it had put too much stress on the seals and joints. I'd be so paranoid about disaster striking when I wasn't at home. I'd be saving up for a new tank.

 

[fishmad135]

Wow, good job you spotted it - something people don't really expect to have to look out for (made me paranoid and went to check mine!). What do you plan on doing about it? 
Good luck!

 

[brandoncw]

about all i can do is watch for leaks. i checked it with a squarer and its still straight as an arrow. thats about ll i can do i guess.

 

Wow, good job you spotted it - something people don't really expect to have to look out for (made me paranoid and went to check mine!). What do you plan on doing about it? 
Good luck!

 


That is scary! It is stable now then? I'd be worried that it had put too much stress on the seals and joints. I'd be so paranoid about disaster striking when I wasn't at home. I'd be saving up for a new tank.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I'm wondering if there was a brace before and it somehow got broken.  Was this a second hand tank?

 

[brandoncw]

i was told it was a snake tank because the old plastic frame cracked and stared leaking and they "fixed" it by removing the old frame and making one out of oak. They obviously forgot a top brace which i assume is the reason i was battling leaks for a few months. The bottom is braced by a 3/8 plywood board screwed to the bottom frame covering the entire bottom surface.
 

I'm wondering if there was a brace before and it somehow got broken.  Was this a second hand tank?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

That explains a lot.  That top brace is immensely important to keep things held together.

 

[Flubberlump]

The thought of it scares me

(Like my new use of emoticons Eagles? )

 

[eaglesaquarium]

The thought of it scares me

(Like my new use of emoticons Eagles?

)

 
Indeed.  

 

[brandoncw]

That explains a lot.  That top brace is immensely important to keep things held together.

yes, yes it is. i got to see it first hand.
 

The thought of it scares me

(Like my new use of emoticons Eagles?

)

yeah, the thought of the glass shattering and dumping 75 gallons on my bedroom floor would be a disaster.

 

[HarpyFishLover]

Much, much worse than having to spend two days with a loud fan in your room from not telling your dad not to carry the 3 gallon quarantine by the rims. :O
That was an experience that shall (hopefully) never happen again.

 

[brandoncw]

Much, much worse than having to spend two days with a loud fan in your room from not telling your dad not to carry the 3 gallon quarantine by the rims. :O
That was an experience that shall (hopefully) never happen again.

I had ten gallons overnight spill on the floor due to the air line to the airaitor coming off and siphoning the water out...

 

[HarpyFishLover]

Wow, how many fish did you lose? That sounds like new carpet was on the way after that...

 

[brandoncw]

Wow, how many fish did you lose? That sounds like new carpet was on the way after that...

Thankfully I lost none, my hob filter provides enough surface agitation to keep the water airated and I was able to syphon the water into a large tub move it out of the way and get the carpet shampooer to suck up most of the water and the rest dry out