Bad, bad day! Tank destroyed!

Csubseball · 02/26/2006, 09:53 PM

Well, woke up this morning to notice a very small crack in the bottom right hand corner of my 120g tank. It was probably around 1/2". I immediatly jumped online looking for another tank. I left the tank for maybe 5 minutes, and when I came back

the tank was dumping water ALL over my carpet. Needless to say the tank is gone, my carpet is ruined and my LR, coral and fish are all jammed into a 55 at the current moment!
This was indeed and very horrible day!
I am planning on puchasing an acrylic tank this week. A few questions if anyone could help me out.
1. Should I go BB in an acrylic tank?
2. What are peoples experiences with acrylic tanks?

Here are some pics:

ERICinFL · 02/26/2006, 09:57 PM

OUCH!!! Sorry to hear of your catastrophic event. My friend has a 90gal acrylic cube and he loves it. Just keep your LR off the sides and you should not have to many problems with internal scratches. Good luck!

chrismunn · 02/26/2006, 09:57 PM

wow, that freakin' blows dude! what a drag.......

rtecanoe · 02/26/2006, 10:02 PM

I think that's everyone's nightmare, but - Look on the bright side, at least you were there to see it and you didn't come home to everything dead and dried out in your tank!!

WILDTHING · 02/26/2006, 10:03 PM

wow, I can't even imagine what your day has been like. I'm so sorry. But at least you were home and able to save your livestock.

I love and hate acrylic tanks
Pros
light weight
drill like a dream
great clarity with little/no distortion
awesome sizes/shapes available

cons
they scratch
they scratch easily
they scratch even when I THINK about taking a cleaning magnet to them
I've even scratched my outside by not noticing I had a fleck of saltcreep on the tank and picked it up with the magnet
did I mention that they scratch?
Going BB helps but it will still scratch

HTH

colleen
good luck with whatever you decide on and post pics when you set it up

landragon · 02/26/2006, 10:05 PM

that blows. Good luck.

VinnyTheIcepick · 02/26/2006, 10:13 PM

You were lucky to save what you were able to save.

I agree 100% with Wildthing. By the way, Acrylic scratches.

Anemonebuff · 02/26/2006, 10:19 PM

Good thing you saved the critters. Tanks are replacable.

I like glass better IMO.

Good luck.

rdmpe · 02/26/2006, 10:40 PM

Any theory as to the cause of the break?

nitratesucks · 02/26/2006, 10:47 PM

Wow that is bad news. I got a 230 gallon and i cant imagine what it would be like for that to happen. So sorry hope it all works out for ya.

Carman34L · 02/26/2006, 10:49 PM

ouch, judging by the crack from the photo it looks like that stand wasn't level or it was warped from the lateral crack. If you are going to use the same stand, ensure that it is level. I am glad you were able to save the livestock.

ufchristyb · 02/26/2006, 10:51 PM

My husband and I have a 250 gallon acrylic tank in our home and I for one, love the peace of mind knowing that it is acrylic and a catastropic break will likely not occur.

As for the scratching issue, I will put it to you this way. My husband loves his car almost as much as he loves his tank. His car is four years old now and the paint looks better today than the day he bought it. If you are this type of person, you will be able to keep an acrylic tank no problem. Me on the other hand, well I have numerous scratches all over my automobile and its wheels, which is why I am not allowed to clean the acrylic tank, and why my husband cautions me anytime he sees me walk near it with a flashlight or camera.

--Christy

Csubseball · 02/26/2006, 11:03 PM

I have no idea what caused the break. When I set the tank up I made sure it was level in both directions. Im still in a state of shock. I really don't know what route I'm going to take.
I would like another glass tank, but my wife really wants reassurance before I purchase another one. I myself NEVER want to go through that again. It was my worst nightmare. The stuff you only see in movies.

supertech3 · 02/26/2006, 11:08 PM

sorry about that hope that you can get over it and have something positive come out of this

Gabi480 · 02/26/2006, 11:25 PM

why uses a magnet cleaner on a acrylic? Thats just dumb. All you need a a credit card or kent marine has a great scraper. And scratches aren't so bad my tank has had a few landslides and not one scratch.

rlschne · 02/26/2006, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gabi480
why uses a magnet cleaner on a acrylic? Thats just dumb. All you need a a credit card or kent marine has a great scraper. And scratches aren't so bad my tank has had a few landslides and not one scratch.

alot of acryllic tanks have the lip around the top and that makes it a real PITA to clean by hand... and in my case, I do just as much damage with a credit card as I do with my magnet scraper....

Gabi480 · 02/26/2006, 11:46 PM

mine has the ledge and I havent put on scratch. Just take your time.

cfarrow2 · 02/27/2006, 12:37 AM

that sucks so bad, dude! by the way, i've heard that acrylic can get scratched. I'd go with glass again. really, what are the chances it'll happen again?

mike89t · 02/27/2006, 12:41 AM

Acrylic scratches real easy. I used an Acrylic safe Kent scraper on mine and put a bunch of scratches in it. You can't really see them unless you look really close though.

The good thing is that you can buff the scratches out of acrylic. Your experience was a big reason I didn't go with a glass tank.

JeffCA · 02/27/2006, 01:16 AM

I think the Acrylic scrapers actually scratch the tank easier. If you scraper is not level when you go to clean the tank...bam scratch. I use a mag-float (make sure you get one rated for the thickness of the acrylic) and have no problem at all. Just keep up on the cleaning to prevent unwanted coralline from grabbing hold.

Dubbin1 · 02/27/2006, 01:24 AM

I don't think anyone has mentioned yet that acrylic tanks scratch

CodeBlue · 02/27/2006, 01:30 AM

Acrylic can break. Less likely to break yes but Acrylic is the only tank to ever break on me. My 120 corner had the bottom front seam give out a year ago last christmas.

boxfishpooalot · 02/27/2006, 05:47 AM

Is the stand wood? Or metal? Sorry about the tank, thats my nightmare too!

dougc · 02/27/2006, 06:59 AM

Quote:

It was my worst nightmare. The stuff you only see in movies.

I saw that movie. In fact, I had the director's cut. After my 210 broke, I almost gave it all up. After about a week, I changed my mind, but went with a slightly smaller glass 180. I just pray that lightning doesn't strike twice.

Here is the climactic, post-apocalyptic scene from the movie.

Johnsteph10 · 02/27/2006, 08:18 AM

I am sorry to hear that - don't give up and get back in the game!

I went with acrylic as above. Sure, it scratches easily, but if you are careful then you can really minimize scratches.

BB makes it even easier!

02/26/2006, 09:53 PM	#1
Csubseball Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 356	Bad, bad day! Tank destroyed! Well, woke up this morning to notice a very small crack in the bottom right hand corner of my 120g tank. It was probably around 1/2". I immediatly jumped online looking for another tank. I left the tank for maybe 5 minutes, and when I came back the tank was dumping water ALL over my carpet. Needless to say the tank is gone, my carpet is ruined and my LR, coral and fish are all jammed into a 55 at the current moment! This was indeed and very horrible day! I am planning on puchasing an acrylic tank this week. A few questions if anyone could help me out. 1. Should I go BB in an acrylic tank? 2. What are peoples experiences with acrylic tanks? Here are some pics: __________________ "The live rock and sand have been "curing" for 2 weeks....at what point do I add the salt?" Current Tank Info: Went from a 150g to a 29g BioCube. So far, so good.

02/26/2006, 09:57 PM	#2
ERICinFL Rejisturd Mimbur Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Brevard County, FL Posts: 1,346	OUCH!!! Sorry to hear of your catastrophic event. My friend has a 90gal acrylic cube and he loves it. Just keep your LR off the sides and you should not have to many problems with internal scratches. Good luck! __________________ Ummmm... yeah... don't touch the Mag Float. Sorry kids, your college fund is gone, but the tank looks SWEET right? Current Tank Info: 150gal mixed reef. ER CS135, 65gal sump/fuge with a Mag12 return. (2) Korillia 4s, (1) modded MJ1200, two SunSun 3200gph powerheads. 250+lbs LR.

02/26/2006, 09:57 PM	#3
chrismunn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 4,200	wow, that freakin' blows dude! what a drag....... __________________ Marine Aquarists Association of South Texas Austin Reef Club PBITAWA... Current Tank Info: 14g bio cube

02/26/2006, 10:02 PM	#4
rtecanoe Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oakdale, Long Island Posts: 512	I think that's everyone's nightmare, but - Look on the bright side, at least you were there to see it and you didn't come home to everything dead and dried out in your tank!! __________________ Rick Current Tank Info: 180 gallon reef

02/26/2006, 10:05 PM	#6
landragon Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 892	that blows. Good luck. __________________ "Experience is the only tool we aren't born with." Unknown

02/26/2006, 10:03 PM	#5
WILDTHING Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Churchville, Va Posts: 1,753	wow, I can't even imagine what your day has been like. I'm so sorry. But at least you were home and able to save your livestock. I love and hate acrylic tanks Pros light weight drill like a dream great clarity with little/no distortion awesome sizes/shapes available cons they scratch they scratch easily they scratch even when I THINK about taking a cleaning magnet to them I've even scratched my outside by not noticing I had a fleck of saltcreep on the tank and picked it up with the magnet did I mention that they scratch? Going BB helps but it will still scratch HTH colleen good luck with whatever you decide on and post pics when you set it up

02/26/2006, 10:13 PM	#7
VinnyTheIcepick Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 217	You were lucky to save what you were able to save. I agree 100% with Wildthing. By the way, Acrylic scratches. __________________ What's our depth? 20,000 sir. Take it to 21,000. Why? Because it is more fantastical. Current Tank Info: 90 gal 2X250 MH Sump/fuge/skimmer

02/26/2006, 10:19 PM	#8
Anemonebuff Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: LI,NY Posts: 3,877	Good thing you saved the critters. Tanks are replacable. I like glass better IMO. Good luck.

02/26/2006, 10:40 PM	#9
rdmpe Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 3,737	Any theory as to the cause of the break?

02/26/2006, 10:47 PM	#10
nitratesucks Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: bc canada Posts: 71	Wow that is bad news. I got a 230 gallon and i cant imagine what it would be like for that to happen. So sorry hope it all works out for ya. __________________ My aquarium slowly dies without me. I slowly die without my aquarium. Current Tank Info: 225 Etss900,Quiteone 5000 250watt mh 96watt PC 250 lbs live rock,Aquacontoller jr

02/26/2006, 10:49 PM	#11
Carman34L Moved On Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lake Elmo, Minnesota Posts: 644	ouch, judging by the crack from the photo it looks like that stand wasn't level or it was warped from the lateral crack. If you are going to use the same stand, ensure that it is level. I am glad you were able to save the livestock.

02/26/2006, 10:51 PM	#12
ufchristyb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 269	My husband and I have a 250 gallon acrylic tank in our home and I for one, love the peace of mind knowing that it is acrylic and a catastropic break will likely not occur. As for the scratching issue, I will put it to you this way. My husband loves his car almost as much as he loves his tank. His car is four years old now and the paint looks better today than the day he bought it. If you are this type of person, you will be able to keep an acrylic tank no problem. Me on the other hand, well I have numerous scratches all over my automobile and its wheels, which is why I am not allowed to clean the acrylic tank, and why my husband cautions me anytime he sees me walk near it with a flashlight or camera. --Christy __________________ GO GATORS! Current Tank Info: Possible future 55g unreef safe fish tank

02/26/2006, 11:03 PM	#13
Csubseball Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 356	I have no idea what caused the break. When I set the tank up I made sure it was level in both directions. Im still in a state of shock. I really don't know what route I'm going to take. I would like another glass tank, but my wife really wants reassurance before I purchase another one. I myself NEVER want to go through that again. It was my worst nightmare. The stuff you only see in movies. __________________ "The live rock and sand have been "curing" for 2 weeks....at what point do I add the salt?" Current Tank Info: Went from a 150g to a 29g BioCube. So far, so good.

02/26/2006, 11:08 PM	#14
supertech3 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: El Paso Posts: 1,206	sorry about that hope that you can get over it and have something positive come out of this

02/26/2006, 11:25 PM	#15
Gabi480 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Gilbert, Arizona Posts: 360	why uses a magnet cleaner on a acrylic? Thats just dumb. All you need a a credit card or kent marine has a great scraper. And scratches aren't so bad my tank has had a few landslides and not one scratch. __________________ I learned to swim in a reef, where did you? "Yea, well thats like your opinion" Anyone know who said this? Gabi Current Tank Info: reef duh!

02/26/2006, 11:46 PM	#17
Gabi480 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Gilbert, Arizona Posts: 360	mine has the ledge and I havent put on scratch. Just take your time. __________________ I learned to swim in a reef, where did you? "Yea, well thats like your opinion" Anyone know who said this? Gabi Current Tank Info: reef duh!

02/27/2006, 12:37 AM	#18
cfarrow2 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 626	that sucks so bad, dude! by the way, i've heard that acrylic can get scratched. I'd go with glass again. really, what are the chances it'll happen again? __________________ Happiness is contagious. What are you spreading? Current Tank Info: 55 gal. 216 W. T5s. Wet/dry sump w/ Mag 5 return. Softies, 3 fish, shrimp, urchin. HA factory for the time being.

02/27/2006, 12:41 AM	#19
mike89t Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chandler, Az Posts: 1,889	Acrylic scratches real easy. I used an Acrylic safe Kent scraper on mine and put a bunch of scratches in it. You can't really see them unless you look really close though. The good thing is that you can buff the scratches out of acrylic. Your experience was a big reason I didn't go with a glass tank. __________________ Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach that person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks. Current Tank Info: Sold my 150G reef tank. :^(

02/27/2006, 01:16 AM	#20
JeffCA Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Elk Grove, CA Posts: 66	I think the Acrylic scrapers actually scratch the tank easier. If you scraper is not level when you go to clean the tank...bam scratch. I use a mag-float (make sure you get one rated for the thickness of the acrylic) and have no problem at all. Just keep up on the cleaning to prevent unwanted coralline from grabbing hold. __________________ Jeff Current Tank Info: 46 gal Acrylic Bowfront

02/27/2006, 01:24 AM	#21
Dubbin1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Findlay, Ohio Posts: 11,540	I don't think anyone has mentioned yet that acrylic tanks scratch

02/27/2006, 01:30 AM	#22
CodeBlue Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA Posts: 302	Acrylic can break. Less likely to break yes but Acrylic is the only tank to ever break on me. My 120 corner had the bottom front seam give out a year ago last christmas.

02/27/2006, 05:47 AM	#23
boxfishpooalot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada, Grande Praire, Ab Posts: 5,824	Is the stand wood? Or metal? Sorry about the tank, thats my nightmare too! __________________ Its a good idea to have a refrence sample for alk test kits. 1.1350 grams of baking soda in 1gallon of distilled water=10dkh. Check your alkalinity test kit! Algae is Mother Natures phosphate remover Current Tank Info: 220 galon mixed reef.

02/27/2006, 08:18 AM	#25
Johnsteph10 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The South Posts: 2,537	I am sorry to hear that - don't give up and get back in the game! I went with acrylic as above. Sure, it scratches easily, but if you are careful then you can really minimize scratches. BB makes it even easier! __________________ John Current Tank Info: None