Tank Bow Normal???

[Tyler brinson]

Is it normal for a tank to bow up in the middle?? I've had this 40 gal for a year or so and I noticed it's bowing in the middle or is it my dresser it's sitting on bowing? I noticed my 55 gal was doing it to when I had it set up. It was also on a wood coffee table. Anyone have any advice?

 

[KinsKicks]

Hello!

I would recommend getting that swapped out as soon as you can. I'm nearly sure the tank is straight, but your dresser most likely isn't. What happens is the the immense pressure put toward the middle of the glass, without any support underneath, will eventually cause a crack in the middle. That stand isn't "true" (straight) so see if you can get something else to hold up your tank instead.

For smaller tanks, it usually isn't a problem, but for your sized tank, I'd be a bit concern

 

[Tyler brinson]

Hello!

I would recommend getting that swapped out as soon as you can. I'm nearly sure the tank is straight, but your dresser most likely isn't. What happens is the the immense pressure put toward the middle of the glass, without any support underneath, will eventually cause a crack in the middle. That stand isn't "true" (straight) so see if you can get something else to hold up your tank instead.

For smaller tanks, it usually isn't a problem, but for your sized tank, I'd be a bit concern

Dangit..... I don't have money to buy or build a stand.... I appreciate ur advice I figured it was the stand just hoping it wasn't a big deal..

 

[Tyler brinson]

Dangit..... I don't have money to buy or build a stand.... I appreciate ur advice I figured it was the stand just hoping it wasn't a big deal..

I don't get it tho, because the glass bottom dosnt touch the dresser at all. There's like a quarter inch gap between the glass an dresser all around the tank. The black trim is what touches the dresse...

 

[Tyler brinson]

Hello!

I would recommend getting that swapped out as soon as you can. I'm nearly sure the tank is straight, but your dresser most likely isn't. What happens is the the immense pressure put toward the middle of the glass, without any support underneath, will eventually cause a crack in the middle. That stand isn't "true" (straight) so see if you can get something else to hold up your tank instead.

For smaller tanks, it usually isn't a problem, but for your sized tank, I'd be a bit concern

I took 5 gals out do u think that will help any.. or at least get me a lil more time.

 

[KinsKicks]

Dangit..... I don't have money to buy or build a stand.... I appreciate ur advice I figured it was the stand just hoping it wasn't a big deal..

You have some time, but I'd definitely start searching; I know they make some cheaper metal stands that work well. Or check in Craigslist

I don't get it tho, because the glass bottom dosnt touch the dresser at all. There's like a quarter inch gap between the glass an dresser all around the tank. The black trim is what touches the dresse...

Usually the glass is slightly raised and sits on top of the trim that goes underneath (if that makes sense) depending on the style tank you have. However, If the stand is bowed, it puts uneven pressure on different contact points making it more likely to crack in areas; if where the tank is sitting is straight, there is even pressure

 

[KinsKicks]

View attachment 357367I took 5 gals out do u think that will help any.. or at least get me a lil more time.

It should help a bit; you just lessened the entire weight of the water and decreased the pressure a bit as well. You have some time as your tank is more of a square shaped-base rather than a rectangular, so the pressure is more spread out instead on concentrated down a thinner length.

 

[Tyler brinson]

I gotcha. I bought the tank from petco during the dollar per gallon said I think last year or the year b4. I like to build my stands then I know there strong for sure. I appreciate the advice

 

[MikeRad89]

There's nothing wrong with the tank. Only the four corners of a trimmed tank should be in contact with the stand - you should be able to slide a piece of paper between the stand and the tank in all the other areas.

 

[Tyler brinson]

It should help a bit; you just lessened the entire weight of the water and decreased the pressure a bit as well. You have some time as your tank is more of a square shaped-base rather than a rectangular, so the pressure is more spread out instead on concentrated down a thinner length.

Ya I figured it's built like a 40 woth only 20 gals or so in it so it should b good for a little. Fingers crossed, but my 55 gal was like that for along time (b4 I knew about this forum) and I never had any problems. But it was always on my mind, wondering if my tank was gunna crack or my stand give out an then by by fish tank,

 

[Tyler brinson]

There's nothing wrong with the tank. Only the four corners of a trimmed tank should be in contact with the stand - you should be able to slide a piece of paper between the stand and the tank in all the other areas.

All 4 touch the dresser. Made sure of that. It's the dresser for sure. I Put a level on the tank and it's fine. The dresser is bowing tho bad. I wanna build a new stand anyway just the $$$

 

[david1978]

You could put a piece of plywood on top of the dresser to help spread out the load.

 

[Tyler brinson]

You could put a piece of plywood on top of the dresser to help spread out the load.

Good idea. Didn't think of that

 

[david1978]

A thick piece

 

[Nickguy5467]

Center brace was actually broken when I got it (hand me down tank) . I patched it with glue and that plank. today I just notice what is in the . and there is now a centimeter's distance between the peices now (they were touching in the beginning even though they were still snapped) also when I had the glass lid on . it wasn't flush in the mid section anymore(about a centimeter or less there too.

should I immediately be doing some sort of emergency things or should I be okay for a while? because I have no way to keep the fish safe right now. and I might be in the process of moving. in which my original idea was to get a new tank after I did so.

again just wonder if there is any immediate danger, 37 gallon tank if that helps at all for some reason?

ideas? thank you

 

[Thunder_o_b]

Immediate danger? YES.
Great! The Poo Just Hit The Fan.

 

[dojafish]

The side walls are the weakest point of a tank, all the pressure of the water is constantly pushing outwards. If you don't want to risk a blow out costing thousands of dollars in losses and damage, you should definitely do something immediately.

Personally, I'd drain that tank immediately and put everyone in another tank, plastic totes, buckets, whatever is available to either patch things up or get that new tank now.

 

[DarkOne]

Drop the water level about a third and get a new tank or fix.

 

[Seasoldier]

Hi, yes agree with Thunder_o_b you're in danger of a tank blow out caused by the water pressure, can you drain down some of the water to relieve the pressure? do you have anything like a lashing ratchet strap that you could use around the top of the tank? If you leave as is I believe it will pull apart.

 

[Nickguy5467]

The side walls are the weakest point of a tank, all the pressure of the water is constantly pushing outwards. If you don't want to risk a blow out costing thousands of dollars in losses and damage, you should definitely do something immediately.

Personally, I'd drain that tank immediately and put everyone in another tank, plastic totes, buckets, whatever is available to either patch things up or get that new tank now.

my friend who got me into the hobby. (also who got the tank for me from his dad) aparrantly the center brace was broken when he got itt also and I was told that the tank was fine for years. but I don't know if that's comforting at all. unfortunately idont have any other tanks. just a 5 gallon bucket and I don't think the fish would live very long in that, would one of my hob filters even fit on it? I don't know. the term **** creak is starting to get friendly unfortunately

Hi, yes agree with Thunder_o_b you're in danger of a tank blow out caused by the water pressure, can you drain down some of the water to relieve the pressure? do you have anything like a lashing ratchet strap that you could use around the top of the tank? If you leave as is I believe it will pull apart.

I can drain it . that's about it. I don't have any cool things like that to help

 

[Thunder_o_b]

If nothing else get I a sliding clamp

 

[Seasoldier]

I can drain it . that's about it. I don't have any cool things like that to help

The only thing that'll be holding the tank together now is the silicone sealing at the corners, do you have any rope that you could tie tightly around the top to take some of the pressure off?

 

[bitseriously]

The tank appears to have a plastic upper frame, so the corners have some reinforcement, it’s the bowing of the front and rear panes I’d worry about.
Depending on your stand design you might be able to wrap a rope or strap around the tank, in the same direction as the broken brace. Over the top, down the back, under, back up the front. Whether rope or clamp, go easy and gently. 1-2mm leas bowing will be substantially less pressure.
But start making ASAP plans to fix it properly or replace the tank.
5gal pails, clean garbage bins, Rubbermaid totes, all these and a few air stones can make the difference between saving or replacing your fish if things go south.

 

[dojafish]

my friend who got me into the hobby. (also who got the tank for me from his dad) aparrantly the center brace was broken when he got itt also and I was told that the tank was fine for years. but I don't know if that's comforting at all. unfortunately idont have any other tanks. just a 5 gallon bucket and I don't think the fish would live very long in that, would one of my hob filters even fit on it? I don't know. the term creak is starting to get friendly unfortunately

It's not comforting lol, it's a ticking time bomb that got passed around. I stored an aqueon filter rated up to like 30-40 gallons on a bucket. If not, sponge filters would work.

Either get some wood and build a brace on top of the plastic to reinforce support or you're going to have to drain it halfway to alleviate pressure and just work with a paludarium kind of setup. Of course that would mean you would have to up your water change regimen since there's less volume of water to spread out the dissolved wastes.

I mean. Plastic totes are super cheap.. you could probably find some for $5 and run some sponge filters as a temporary solution until you can macgyver reinforcement on the tank or until after you move and can afford a new tank.

The main thing is that you get pressure off the side panels before it gives out.

 

[Nickguy5467]

this is my tank. I could lower the heater so it still works but if I drain too low my filters won't run



this is the best I could do for now. bring the water down to 50% brought the center brace back together, so I could reapply glue to it and the plank going to let it sit there for a bit, hopefully I did it well enough to let it be okay until I can do some long term changes, lol I know its bad but its all I could do.

 

[bitseriously]

Glad you’ve got something figured out, but your pics aren’t visible so can’t comment on details.

 

[Nickguy5467]

Glad you’ve got something figured out, but your pics aren’t visible so can’t comment on details.

that's strange. what do you mean visible? like you can't see them at all? they posted clear and fine on my end

 

[bitseriously]

that's strange. what do you mean visible? like you can't see them at all? they posted clear and fine on my end

Here’s a screen grab.

 

[Nickguy5467]

Here’s a screen grab.
View attachment 532133

That sucks. Thanks for the screen grab I'll try to fix it

 

[Nickguy5467]

That sucks. Thanks for the screen grab I'll try to fix it

Just realized I can't see them on mobile either .only on the computer

 

[NYFishGuy]

Just upload to the forum, guessing only you can see them because your logged into the google account you uploaded them to.

 

[Markc]

I have a 46 gallon bowfront that the top brace broke on it and its been up for a year and hasn't broke. Not to say it wouldn't or would just wanted to say that it probably isn't an emergency

 

[Joshtank]

After doing my weekly water change I noticed after putting the hood back on that the center of my 29 gallon is bowing out. When I put pressure on it, it moves. Should I be concerned? Time to replace the tank? Sorry if the pictures are not the best quality.

Thank you

 

[babykitten]

View attachment 657312

View attachment 657313

After doing my weekly water change I noticed after putting the hood back on that the center of my 29 gallon is bowing out. When I put pressure on it, it moves. Should I be concerned? Time to replace the tank? Sorry if the pictures are not the best quality.

Thank you

I'd put my fish in another tank ASAP. Maybe do replace it to be safe.

 

[kallililly1973]

I’m not really seeing where the bowing is from your pics. Could it be the lid more so than the tank? Can u remove the hood and put a level along the top and snap a pic that way?

 

[BabsandLoon]

I don't really see the bowing either, but if you say it is there and if it moves when you touch it then I would opt on the side of caution and replace it.

 

[Joshtank]

I don't really see the bowing either, but if you say it is there and if it moves when you touch it then I would opt on the side of caution and replace it.

Hopefully this better illustrates the bowing

 

[BabsandLoon]

Oh I see it now!

I am concerned that it moves when you touch it. To me, that suggests a weakness in the structural integrity. Personally, I would replace it.

 

[mattgirl]

I see the bow and it does seem significant enough to cause problem down the road but I am old school and it is hard for me to accept the disposable world we live in now. Instead of replacing I would have to figure out a way to brace this tank much like a 55 gallon is braced across the middle.

 

[Joshtank]

I see the bow and it does seem significant enough to cause problem down the road but I am old school and it is hard for me to accept the disposable world we live in now. Instead of replacing I would have to figure out a way to brace this tank much like a 55 gallon is braced across the middle.

Just noticed it today have had this tank for 8 years. I will try to find a way to get a brace for the middle instead of just buying a brand new tank

 

[MissPanda]

Just noticed it today have had this tank for 8 years. I will try to find a way to get a brace for the middle instead of just buying a brand new tank

The tank by itself is usually not too expensive. You only need the base tank. My LFS sell just tanks by themselves pretty cheap. Its when you buy kits with hoods, lights, filters etc that it gets pretty steep. You could call around to pet stores and see how much they charge, also ask if they have any upcoming sales. Compare that price to what it would cost to brace this tank. I find hardware stores expensive, so if you're buying material it may not even be worth it in the end.

 

[Jakea333]

That seems abnormal for tanks I’ve seen in person. Given the low cost of tanks during the dollar per gallon sales, I’d replace it when I came upon one of those. And, you could always have this repurposed as a terrarium for someone (where you have no water forces on the glass), so it’s not wasted!

 

[Joshtank]

thank you all for the feedback! much appreciated! Petco currently has a 29 gal tank for 29$ so will just go that route. Do you think that my current tank will last lets say another week? or is this something that needs to be changed immanently?

 

[Jakea333]

if it were me, I’d expedite the replacement as I don’t like the potential damages from 30 gallons of water draining onto my living room floor. But I don’t think anyone would really be able to tell you if 1 more week will be the difference. It’s possible it’s been this way for quite some time.

 

[mattgirl]

thank you all for the feedback! much appreciated! Petco currently has a 29 gal tank for 29$ so will just go that route. Do you think that my current tank will last lets say another week? or is this something that needs to be changed immanently?

I know now that you have seen it and realized that there is a potential problem the worst case scenario is playing out in your head. I have a feeling this didn't happen over night so I do think you have time to get it changed out even if it takes a week or so. Of course I can't know this for a fact. No one can know what might happen.