Bowfront Distortion?

I have a 25g bowfront but I'm not sure I want to go ahead and set it up. I've heard mixed thoughts on whether bowfronts distort or not and I have sensitive eyes, easily getting headaches when they're strained.

If I go through with this tank, I plan on having a minimal scape with black sand, a small/med chunk of drift wood sort of curving opposite to the front wall. And Java ferns growing on the back and anubias nana growing low on the front with a stocking of cherry shrimp.

So what I was wondering is, does anyone have experience with a bowfront this size? Does it have a noticeable distortion? Would any distortion be noticeable with the scape and stocking I plan?

Thanks in advance!

PS. I also can't really fill it up to test as the silicone is so old and worn it needs resealing. I don't want to waste the money, time and effort and find out I don't like it.

 

Yes, once you add water the distortion is quite noticeable. You could always(filters and such allowed) set it up backwards. The thing with convex glass is the smaller and more pronounced the bow, the more distorted it is. But you could also just fill it with water and put something in it(like a stick or piece of large decor or something) to see if you actually have problems with it. They're designed to kinda amplify the internals and such. Making a smaller aquarium look bigger.

 

This is our bow front we love it

 

Yes, once you add water the distortion is quite noticeable. You could always(filters and such allowed) set it up backwards. The thing with convex glass is the smaller and more pronounced the bow, the more distorted it is. But you could also just fill it with water and put something in it(like a stick or piece of large decor or something) to see if you actually have problems with it. They're designed to kinda amplify the internals and such. Making a smaller aquarium look bigger.

Thanks, I may just sell this and get a standard rectangular aquarium.

This is our bow front we love itView attachment 466338

Very nice aquarium, love the axolotl . So you don't notice any distortion, especially near the bottom?

 

I actually prefer the bowfront. I don't really notice any distortion on my 46 bowfront and i’m like always staring at it.

 

I actually prefer the bowfront. I don't really notice any distortion on my 46 bowfront and i’m like always staring at it.

Ok, maybe I'll try filling this one up to see. The bow doesn't seem that pronounced so maybe it's not so bad. Thanks!

 

The smaller the tank the more distorted it becomes. Little 5 gallon bowfronts are the worst.
I love my 46 bow, I don't notice distortion there much at all, but I've never seen one your size in person so I don't know

 

The smaller the tank the more distorted it becomes. Little 5 gallon bowfronts are the worst.
I love my 46 bow, I don't notice distortion there much at all, but I've never seen one your size in person so I don't know

Ok, thanks. Well I'm going to try filling it up to see and hope it doesn't spring a leak, Haha.

 

I really like the Bow fronts, the distortion reminds me of what I see whilst diving underwater.

 

Friend of mine was gonna pick up a 46gal bow front at a garage sale for 40bux. Just the tank and the stand. At another garage sale he saw a 40gal rectangular with all the fixings
(stand, 2 filters,top,chemicals, and some ornaments) for less. I decided to go with the 40gal. Tho the bow fronts look really nice done correctly, I have no regrets with the normal 40gal.

For some reason I get the "drunk effect" when looking at the bow front.

And yes the seals were still prestine. Currently housing my cichlids. Will be moving to a 75gal.

 

Friend of mine was gonna pick up a 46gal bow front at a garage sale for 40bux. Just the tank and the stand. At another garage sale he saw a 40gal rectangular with all the fixings
(stand, 2 filters,top,chemicals, and some ornaments) for less. I decided to go with the 40gal. Tho the bow fronts look really nice done correctly, I have no regrets with the normal 40gal.

For some reason I get the "drunk effect" when looking at the bow front.

And yes the seals were still prestine. Currently housing my cichlids. Will be moving to a 75gal.

Sounds like a great deal! Yah, that's what I was worried about, I have sensitive eyes so when I look at certain things it can strain them easily and give me a headache. You mentioned it looks nice when done correctly, is there anything you might reccomend avoiding so as to make it look nicer?

 

Well I've seen the bow fronts in restaurants. Maybe it was a distance thing. Can't say for certain what will work for you. Maybe someone that has a bow front will chime in and explain what will work best in your case.

I know when I got close to one and walked away from it while looking, it got me dizzy.

 

Well I've seen the bow fronts in restaurants. Maybe it was a distance thing. Can't say for certain what will work for you. Maybe someone that has a bow front will chime in and explain what will work best in your case.

I know when I got close to one and walked away from it while looking, it got me dizzy.

Ah, ok. Hopefully someone does. Thanks.

 

I have a smaller 7 gallon bowfront that I have used off and on since 2004. I don't notice any distortion, but what does happen is a magnifying effect. It's subtle though. The other day I though my moth catfish had doubled in size, but no, just the glass. I have 36 gallon in storage I am dying to set up when we have the space.

They are one of those tanks you either love or hate. For the size, you could sell it used for reptiles or braver aquarium people to buy, and purchase a similar sized classic shape used or on sale new for about the same.