Tank Bowing Help

[bigbearcrain]

Tank is a hand me down, 72x18x24 glass tank when filled it up last night it bowed almost and 1/2 inch. there isnt a center piece. so im sure that a problem. so im asking what should i use to remedy the problem. Glass/plexy width thickness.

[ebonline]

Is draining the tank back empty an option??? If so I would put in a glass brace across the top. My 180 gal which is 72x24x24 has a 1/2" thick 2.5" wide piece siliconed in the center.

If you can't drain I am at a loss because IMO the brace needs to be installed with out any deflection in the tank...

[bigbearcrain]

Tank was drained shortly after filling. The tank was used at a pet store along time ago and had lots of crud built up. so did a bleach and vinegar soak and purge for 2 days. Looks alot better.

My 180 has nothing across it and no bow so i thought it to be alittle funny. So only 2 1/2 inches wide u say.........

[kcress]

2-1/2" ?? My 55s all have foot wide 3/8th inch and they're only 48 inches long.

[s15ago15]

make a brace out of aluminum L metal and nylon bolts

[uncleof6]

2-1/2" ?? My 55s all have foot wide 3/8th inch and they're only 48 inches long.

AHHHH refreshing to see another voice of reason and sanity out there...............

Jim

[bigbearcrain]

I think im going to attempt an 8 inch 1/4 inch thick piece of plexi. Any Objections.....Lol

[uncleof6]

Sits in back of room raises hand, ummm yes. Acrylic will not bond to glass with sufficient strength for structural purposes. Go out and buy a piece of glass, the same thickness of the tank. The width better than 12". Silicone it in place front to back in the center of the tank. You basically have a choice: Do it, or clean up water off the floor when the tank breaks. Use an adhesive silicone, not some junk available at home depot. You are lucky the tank did not break immediately. I am not being harsh, and at least you have a sense of humor over it. Time to get to work now.......the short answer: Glass. ;) If there is a rim on the tank, the top rim has to come off, the brace installed glass to glass, and the rim put back on.

Jim

[scaryperson27]

rather than getting one piece of glass, get two ~6"-7" pieces and glue them about a third of the length from the ends of the tank. This way if you decide to put three metal halides on this tank, the brace will not get in the way.

[bigbearcrain]

Well Darn i wish someone had said Glass Glass Glass, before i did the plexi. From the way they had this tank set up before i figured what the heck. The support they had in the plastic rim was a piece of wood that was sized to fit the tank when bowed. was snug when tank was empty and loose when full of water. so dang i thought the plexi would work......... Very good since of humor have 10 kids from 1 year to 23 years and now unemployed........

[myaerica]

on my 180 the brace broke so I rubberized A bar clamp and thats attached in the center it holds the tank from bowing.My tank is in wall so you cant see the clamp.

[bigbearcrain]

Im going to drywall this tank as a false wall. so a steel brace might be the answer. got any pics or suggestions on how to do this.....

[myaerica]

I just got A long bar clamp from menards and rubber dip like you use to coat plier handels brushed it on the clamp so no rust would leach ito tank. Im re doing the whole front of tank now so I ll post pic along the way later. I used A clamp so you only have 1/4" of metal and not 12" of glass. Like I said though if your tank is not in wall it would be rather unsightly.

[jimmyj7090]

It would probably be much wiser to do this right in the first place.

I would remove the acrylic attempt, carefully clean off the glass, and install a proper glass brace.

[bigbearcrain]

awe man that aint no fun. the right thing what abt the left thing.