Bowing?

[reeferkeeper420]

Is it normal for a big tank to bow out? It's half inch glass, rimless, no eurobrace. It bows about a quarter inch. Feeling a little paranoid. 72×20×22

 

[heath]

holy shit, I don't think they are suppose to bow... good luck with that one..

 

[nathan]

What heath said!!!

 

[reeferkeeper420]

That's what I feared... ffs. I just can't catch a break in this f@#$ing hobby.

 

[shamous113]

I'd drain it down and put a center brace in, 12mm glass minimum 3" wide. I added this exact center brace to my 150 is 72x18x27 no bowing no issues if you want to up the S.F. then make the brace 4" wide. make sure that the seams are 1.5mm(1/16") thick you could also make a steel bracket to hold it temporally.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Where can I get glass like that? Any place that deals with glass?

 

[shamous113]

I found that about 1/2 of the glass shops deal with 12mm glass. I got mine at kw glass http://kwglass.com/about/contact/ their shop is 30 seconds down the road from where I work. if you order and pay for it I can pick up and transport back to the stratford area. I also have some silicone left over.

 

[heath]

try Millard glass in Woodstock...

 

[shamous113]

if your going the brace route then measure the ISM of the tank at either end, take the average and deduct 3mm (1/8")

 

[Salty Cracker]

Glass is a flexible material, and 1/2" glass is really strong. I honestly wouldn't worry about 1/4" at all.

I've been messing around with panels here exactly those dimensions and I can tell you they flex a LOT.

Bracing isn't necessary for your application, but if you want peace of mind you could add it... but remember that silicone is flexible too, so you may find you're still getting 1/8" to 1/4" flex at the mid point even with it, and it will likely be in the way. I went the 1/2" route so that I would not have bracing (which drives me nuts on my current 72" tank!)

 

[reeferkeeper420]

I thought it was normal...should I just say fuck it and fill it back up or source the Glass and put a brace in?? I'm thinking it wouldn't hurt to have the brace for piece of mind.. but ur right it could get in the way.

 

[Salty Cracker]

A brace wouldn't hurt of course, and there's nothing wrong with peace of mind. With all my problems I have thought of it too, but did more research, (and I was bouncing the panes like crazy trying to get the seams apart... that glass is flexible), and it is just not necessary.

I would almost suggest (if you wanted braces) that you do a couple along the top of each edge. at the sides. If it's going to fail it's going to do so on the seams...

 

[reeferkeeper420]

A brace wouldn't hurt of course, and there's nothing wrong with peace of mind. With all my problems I have thought of it too, but did more research, (and I was bouncing the panes like crazy trying to get the seams apart... that glass is flexible), and it is just not necessary.

I would almost suggest (if you wanted braces) that you do a couple along the top of each edge. at the sides. If it's going to fail it's going to do so on the seams...

So eurobrace it?

 

[Cliff]

I had a 72 inch tank once that bowed over 5/8 of an inch when filled. It worked great for years

 

[Salty Cracker]

Eurobracing goes all the way around, I just mean a strip on either end...

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Ok i get what ur sayın now sorry lol.

 

[Poseidon]

a strip on each end would defintly do it riley,
fairly easy to do and cheap as well.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Yeah, I ordered glass yesterday. Should be in Monday or Tuesday

 

[Salty Cracker]

Just be sure to clean the glass really well first

 

[scubasteve]

Yup silicone doesn't stick to fingerprints we'll always clean with acetone or the really nasty Mek. Just wear gloves and have ventillation