CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

well i filled my new tank and noticed that it bowed out in the middle, i noticed because there is a streach of glass in the center that doesn't quite reach across i talked to a guy at my LFS and he said that glass aquariums don't need center braces across the top because glass doesn't warp like acrylic does, the tank is 135 gallons, 6ft long 23 inches tall and 18 inches wide, and has 3/8 in thick glass which i've calculated to be about 9.5mm thick, in the center the tank measures 19 1/8 in wide and at the corners it measures 18 1/2 in wide, so it's flexing a total of 5/8 in. i don't see any leaks and i'm assuming it's ok i just want som reassurance

oh and btw when i get my fish in the tank I'll take some pics and post them, it just kinda hard to get good pics as a tank this size displaced a lot of stuff in my room so there is a lot of stuff in the way

Any tank over 4 foot has to have atleast one center brace! A 125 135 150 [same print] usually has 2 braces on top and bottum.. If not like you explained you get about an 1nch bow witch will stress corners and joints. Eventually a leak at best , worst case a wall blowing out..This info was gave to me by an aqarium building company and some with my own tests. I tested a 125 i got cheap and had no center braces[72x18x21] I filled it and i had almost an inch of bow.Needeless to say i drained it and took it back.Not to mention how the world is a glass top going to fit lol



HTH Mike

well, good to know, i do have a makshift center brace, a metal bar with the ends bent, it's not perfect but hopefully it will work until i can get another tank.

Brace it asap,, I had a a tank flood my lounge room because I kept putting off fixxin a loose brace.. Wife was not happy as she had to clean it up,, I wasnt home.

Why are you trying to fix this tank? I would return it to the lfs and not do business there again. It is obvious they sold you an inferior tank and when you questioned it they told you a lie.

I can't stand people who are not honest and take advantage of others.

i didn't get it from the local fish store i got it used from some mexican guy in santa ana, and as far as the local fish store sure they gave me incorrect information but it wasn't because they were trying to sell anything, they were just misinformed, and besides it's the only fish store close besides petsmart and petco. and everybody can't be right all the time, thats why i have you guys to double check.

and as far as buying a new tank that would mean tearing down this one and setting up another one just as big, which would be a pain in the *** and a lot of work that would be hard for me to find time for, it might not get done for another month and tensions are already growing between my oscar and jack in the 20 gallon.

so my plan is basicly hope this one holds up until I move out at which time i buy an new tank then just transfer everything. only thing is i don't know when i'm gonna be moving out, end of the semiester at the soonest.

Brace it with glass braces (will mean empting at least haf the water to stop the bowing until you can silicone the braces on) Pretty easy just get some glass offcuts and cut to size(sand sharp edges). If your not familuar with scribing and snapping glass then get a window glass shop to do it for you.....

Sorry 'bout that Gothic. I didn't see anywhere that the tank was used so I assumed you got it from your lfs. I guess somtimes a bargain really isn't a bargain after all.

I hope you can fix it for your fishes sake. Sounds like it will be really nice when you do. Good Luck!