Tank bowing!

[Phisher]

Finally filling my first acrylic tank (36x18x20) and noticed what I would consider a considerable bowing across the front. Looks to be 1/4" acrylic, eurobraced. Is this normal with acrylic? I panicked and drained about half the water and the bow went away.

Any thoughts?

[Acrylics]

Need more info on the tank; width of eurobrace, any crossbracing?
First impression is the tank is underbuilt IMO if made from 1/4" and noticeable bowing is no surprise. If eurobraced only and no crossbracing - tank should be built from 3/8" minimum, 1/2" preferable.

James

[Phisher]

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos3885/3/70/99/55/11/9/911559970307_0_ALB.jpg

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos3885/3/70/99/55/21/6/621559970307_0_ALB.jpg

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos3885/3/70/99/55/21/9/921559970307_0_ALB.jpg

Here are some photos. Yes it is center braced with a 3" brace, 2.25" euro bracing around the sides.

[Acrylics]

No see'um pics pics but still definitely underbuilt by most standards. If the seems look good, should be seaworthy but will bow making cleaning of coralline more of a PITA.
Is this a tank you bought from a mfr? pet shop? DIYer?..just curious

James

[Phisher]

Tanks from glasscages. I don't think they are known for having the highest of quality but I really figured on a smallish tank they would be ok.

I can pretty easily bow the 36" panels just by pushing in on them with my hand so I guess this is not a big surprise with 600lbs of water in there.

My main concern was it bursting, I am not at all familiar with acrylic or what is normal for this type of thing.

[Phisher]

http://inlinethumb10.webshots.com/9673/2141608000103389578S425x425Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2141608000103389578aEqDqN)

http://thumb18.webshots.net/t/63/663/1/40/34/2192140340103389578PzJBNf_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2192140340103389578PzJBNf)

http://inlinethumb60.webshots.com/43387/2862546200103389578S425x425Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2862546200103389578RJrjme)

http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/30040/2842679610103389578S425x425Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2842679610103389578aaYzSz)

Try the pictures again.

[reef_only]

You will see bowing in acrylic most of the time. If you go 3X of safety require then you may not see bowing at all by normal eyes. One thing you can do is to measure a mount of bowing, which matters. Less than half an inch of bowing I think is normal. I have seen many crylic tanks from all of LFS they all bow some have nice bowing some have urgly bowing, some little some alot and look scary to me; but they been there for years... I keep wonder if anyone has experience of bursting from bowing with crylic tanks that can share their experiences. I think if burst it's mostly from the join edge since acrylic is hard be be cracked in the middle. From you tank has nice bracing around and it does reduce the risk but you may check amount of bowing to make sure.

[kcress]

Yeah that is specifically why I won't ever be having an acrylic tank. I hate the bow. Makes me dizzy just looking thru it. Why have a beautiful tank that makes you dizzy to look thru. And if you get it thick enough you have to pay a small fortune for it, or go custom.

[hebygb]

I have similar dimension tank (4" taller), with eurobrace and cross brace... It does not bow. Mine is made of 3/8" acrylic. Which I think may be the difference. 1/4 inch is fairly flexible. 3/8 and even 1/2 inch as mentioned earier is quite a bit more stiff. Not to mention, more peace of mind because of the larger adhering area.