My aquarium is warping

Rolo · 04-12-2004, 02:59 AM

I have noticed that the front and back sides of the aquarium are bowing outward. It's a glass 20 tall, 24x12x16 (LxWxH), made by perfecto. I have never noticed this before, but the last time I used it was 5 years ago, so I wouldn't remember. The warping is just under 1/4 inch at the very center of the aquarium.

Is this just normal wear for older aquariums? I know larger aquariums are prone to this stress b/c of the long length, and they have a bar running across the top rim between the front and backsides so not too break. However, this is a relatively small aquarium and I'm sure should not be bending under stress. Wrong?

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cich · 04-12-2004, 04:13 AM

I have a 10gal that bowed when I first filled it.... cheap tank though, probably poop quality.

**aquaphish** · 04-12-2004, 07:33 AM

I think all glass tanks do a little bending new and old.

SCMurphy · 04-12-2004, 11:26 AM

I thought glass tanks were not supposed to bow. It must be thin glass to do that.

malkore · 04-12-2004, 04:02 PM

usually it's the large tanks that bow. 1/4" seems like a lot for a 20gallon...but then again glass isn't a true solid at room temperature, which is why it can bow 1/4" without shattering

Just keep an eye on it. All-Glass is usually a pretty reliable brand.

Rolo · 04-12-2004, 10:43 PM

Thanks for all the replies. I guess it seems that most experince a little bending. The glass is standard thinkness, about 1/4 inch.

Malklore, the aquarium isn't an all-glass, its made by perfecto. This is why I brought it too attention, because I know if it was an all-glass, I probably would be overly concerned over nothing. The 1/4 inch sounds a lot worse than it seems; when looking at it, it isn't that terrible.

I guess I'm good for now. But of course, until it breaks is when I know I will need a new aquarium. :shock:

Momotaro · 04-13-2004, 02:02 AM

I don't want to be a downer here, but I would not be comfortable with an aquarium that was bowing! :?

Mike

Rolo · 04-13-2004, 02:08 AM

Ok, I think I mabey over did it say my aquarium was warping or bowing. It really isn't that bad as it sounds. Its only 1/4 inch, and that really isn't big at all either. Its just slightly bending outward a little bit. 8 years old, so I don't expect it to be perfect.

I bet if you place a perfect straight edge parallel to the top rim the long way, you will discover the glass slightly bending outward. Am I right?

04-12-2004, 07:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
aquaphish Self Made Guru!!! (View User Tanks) PTrader: (32) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Some where in SOCAL Posts: 1,324	I think all glass tanks do a little bending new and old. __________________

04-12-2004, 11:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
SCMurphy Moderator (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Maryland USA Posts: 2,896	I thought glass tanks were not supposed to bow. It must be thin glass to do that. __________________ Sean Aquascape? I'm a crypt farmer. It's a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore looking like an idiot. That IS an aquascape, it's titled "The Vacant Lot".

04-12-2004, 04:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
malkore Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 2,165	usually it's the large tanks that bow. 1/4" seems like a lot for a 20gallon...but then again glass isn't a true solid at room temperature, which is why it can bow 1/4" without shattering Just keep an eye on it. All-Glass is usually a pretty reliable brand. __________________ Malkore Filstar XP2 PIMP #3 Visit my aquarium pages - see specs on my tanks, and photos of how they've evolved

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04-12-2004, 02:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
Rolo Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Posts: 1,687	I have noticed that the front and back sides of the aquarium are bowing outward. It's a glass 20 tall, 24x12x16 (LxWxH), made by perfecto. I have never noticed this before, but the last time I used it was 5 years ago, so I wouldn't remember. The warping is just under 1/4 inch at the very center of the aquarium. Is this just normal wear for older aquariums? I know larger aquariums are prone to this stress b/c of the long length, and they have a bar running across the top rim between the front and backsides so not too break. However, this is a relatively small aquarium and I'm sure should not be bending under stress. Wrong?

04-12-2004, 04:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
cich Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Kelowna, BC, Canada Posts: 1,058	I have a 10gal that bowed when I first filled it.... cheap tank though, probably poop quality.

04-12-2004, 10:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
Rolo Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Posts: 1,687	Thanks for all the replies. I guess it seems that most experince a little bending. The glass is standard thinkness, about 1/4 inch. Malklore, the aquarium isn't an all-glass, its made by perfecto. This is why I brought it too attention, because I know if it was an all-glass, I probably would be overly concerned over nothing. The 1/4 inch sounds a lot worse than it seems; when looking at it, it isn't that terrible. I guess I'm good for now. But of course, until it breaks is when I know I will need a new aquarium. :shock:

04-13-2004, 02:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
Momotaro HEY! (View User Tanks) PTrader: (43) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Hawthorne, New Jersey Posts: 8,161	I don't want to be a downer here, but I would not be comfortable with an aquarium that was bowing! :? Mike

04-13-2004, 02:08 AM	#8 (permalink)
Rolo Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Posts: 1,687	Ok, I think I mabey over did it say my aquarium was warping or bowing. It really isn't that bad as it sounds. Its only 1/4 inch, and that really isn't big at all either. Its just slightly bending outward a little bit. 8 years old, so I don't expect it to be perfect. I bet if you place a perfect straight edge parallel to the top rim the long way, you will discover the glass slightly bending outward. Am I right?