90 Gallon tanks prone to failure?

NeverlosT · 08/24/2009, 02:12 PM

I have been planning on setting up a 90 gallon reef but was recently told that I should go with a 75 gallon tank since 90 gallon all-glass aquariums were unstable and were prone to leaking if there were any tiny imperfections in the stand supporting them.

I initially wanted to go with the 90 since it was a bit bigger/more water volume, but if it is all going to end up on my floor, then it is a no-go.

Please let me know if you have heard anything regarding a 75 gallon being a better/longer lasting tank than a 90 gallon.

Also, my 75 was built in 2000, the 90 was built in 1996, so neither are spring chickens.

Heres another question... my girlfriend can't stand the faux-wood pattern on the tank trim plastic. I want to tape everything off and spray paint it flat black. Any reason not to do this as long as I dont get any in the tank (it is empty) and obviously dont get any on the glass?

Any advise would be great.

100%hydrophylic · 08/24/2009, 02:22 PM

use water resistant paint. dont want it to get all chipped and ugly. and i guess the stand thing would make sense if you think about it, but ive never heard a stand fail just because it had a 90g tank. 90g tanks are a very common size, so theres a higher probability that a 90 will fail instead of say a 210 for the simple reason theres more 90s out there. thats just my logic though. i dont know if its true. but if your just worried about stand structure, you could probably find a stand that was strictly made for a 90 gallon. like i know some stands for 75g dont look extremely sturdy to me, but people can fit a 90 on them so they put it on there. thats not a good idea. just because the dimensions fit doesnt mean it can withstand the pressures of a 90g. but again, thats just my opinion.

NeverlosT · 08/24/2009, 06:50 PM

thanks for the input! I have decided to give the 90 a try!

rkelman · 08/24/2009, 06:59 PM

"I have been planning on setting up a 90 gallon reef but was recently told that I should go with a 75 gallon tank since 90 gallon all-glass aquariums were unstable and were prone to leaking if there were any tiny imperfections in the stand supporting them."

I've never heard that. Sounds like urban myth to me.

ajstookey09 · 08/24/2009, 07:28 PM

When it comes to the stand and the leaks and all that you could just make a custom stand.We had a 90g corner tank but it is acrylic so I dont know about the all glass issue.I still have the tank and stand and i can always send you a picture of the stand so you can get an idea because the stand i have was built by the old owner himself so he knew it would hold.

jayk198030 · 08/24/2009, 07:52 PM

go with the 90g tank and don't listen to who ever is feeding garbage in your ears.. If the tank leaks something is wrong with tank not the stand. even if the stand was not level there would actually be less water volume in the tank since its leaning to one side more than the other.

also sand the plastic edge band before you paint. you have to do several times.

jayk198030 · 08/24/2009, 07:53 PM

also you could beef up a cheap stand with some extra 2x4's and plywood

NeverlosT · 08/25/2009, 06:49 AM

Thanks for the input guys. I built a custom stand and hood for the 90 and spent about 5 hours sanding them last night. Tonight they get their pre-stain and then stained tomorrow. The stand is bulletproof and level. I was just interested in joint integrity with 90 gallon tanks. From the sound of it, they have no more problems than any other kind of tank!

Here is another question: The plastic trim around the bottom of the tank has a vertical crack (like 3/4 of an inch long) in the front lower right corner running vertically down the corner itself. How much structural integrity does that flimsy plastic frame afford the tank? Should I epoxy the corner to repair that plastic for good or just not worry about it?

Thanks for your help! I painted the tank trim last night with Krylon Fusion spraypaint. I am doing another coat tonight since it came out a bit uneven (damn humidity). It looks good though! I didnt sand it (sorry JayK, got your message too late!) but am told that the Fusion paint sticks very well.

100%hydrophylic · 08/25/2009, 12:53 PM

well, just because something is flimsy doesnt mean it doesnt give support. for example, the center brace in a tank is usually pretty flimsy, but with out it your tank will bow out and probably break do to pressure in time. now, idk if the same thing applies to the rim around the bottom of the tank, so id wait for other people to respond

jayk198030 · 08/25/2009, 09:39 PM

IMO it will be fine and i would fill crack if visible.

08/24/2009, 02:12 PM	#1
NeverlosT A bit fishy Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Luis Obispo, CA Posts: 416	90 Gallon tanks prone to failure? I have been planning on setting up a 90 gallon reef but was recently told that I should go with a 75 gallon tank since 90 gallon all-glass aquariums were unstable and were prone to leaking if there were any tiny imperfections in the stand supporting them. I initially wanted to go with the 90 since it was a bit bigger/more water volume, but if it is all going to end up on my floor, then it is a no-go. Please let me know if you have heard anything regarding a 75 gallon being a better/longer lasting tank than a 90 gallon. Also, my 75 was built in 2000, the 90 was built in 1996, so neither are spring chickens. Heres another question... my girlfriend can't stand the faux-wood pattern on the tank trim plastic. I want to tape everything off and spray paint it flat black. Any reason not to do this as long as I dont get any in the tank (it is empty) and obviously dont get any on the glass? Any advise would be great. __________________ [url=http://drugstore-onlinecatalog.com/]drugstore-onlinecatalog.com[/url] Current Tank Info: 150g SPS cube

08/24/2009, 02:22 PM	#2
100%hydrophylic Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: GA Posts: 1,636	use water resistant paint. dont want it to get all chipped and ugly. and i guess the stand thing would make sense if you think about it, but ive never heard a stand fail just because it had a 90g tank. 90g tanks are a very common size, so theres a higher probability that a 90 will fail instead of say a 210 for the simple reason theres more 90s out there. thats just my logic though. i dont know if its true. but if your just worried about stand structure, you could probably find a stand that was strictly made for a 90 gallon. like i know some stands for 75g dont look extremely sturdy to me, but people can fit a 90 on them so they put it on there. thats not a good idea. just because the dimensions fit doesnt mean it can withstand the pressures of a 90g. but again, thats just my opinion. __________________ :) Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef, 28g nano SPS

08/24/2009, 06:50 PM	#3
NeverlosT A bit fishy Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Luis Obispo, CA Posts: 416	thanks for the input! I have decided to give the 90 a try! __________________ [url=http://drugstore-onlinecatalog.com/]drugstore-onlinecatalog.com[/url] Current Tank Info: 150g SPS cube

08/24/2009, 07:28 PM	#5
ajstookey09 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: sandusky, ohio Posts: 5	When it comes to the stand and the leaks and all that you could just make a custom stand.We had a 90g corner tank but it is acrylic so I dont know about the all glass issue.I still have the tank and stand and i can always send you a picture of the stand so you can get an idea because the stand i have was built by the old owner himself so he knew it would hold. __________________ ashley and justin Current Tank Info: 180 reef tank

08/24/2009, 07:52 PM	#6
jayk198030 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tag, your it! Posts: 783	go with the 90g tank and don't listen to who ever is feeding garbage in your ears.. If the tank leaks something is wrong with tank not the stand. even if the stand was not level there would actually be less water volume in the tank since its leaning to one side more than the other. also sand the plastic edge band before you paint. you have to do several times. __________________ I feel like 1.025 and i look like skimmate. I eat crap and throw up! What am I? Current Tank Info: I need help!!

08/24/2009, 06:59 PM	#4
rkelman Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Belleville, Ontario Canada Posts: 3,438	"I have been planning on setting up a 90 gallon reef but was recently told that I should go with a 75 gallon tank since 90 gallon all-glass aquariums were unstable and were prone to leaking if there were any tiny imperfections in the stand supporting them." I've never heard that. Sounds like urban myth to me.

08/24/2009, 07:53 PM	#7
jayk198030 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tag, your it! Posts: 783	also you could beef up a cheap stand with some extra 2x4's and plywood __________________ I feel like 1.025 and i look like skimmate. I eat crap and throw up! What am I? Current Tank Info: I need help!!

08/25/2009, 06:49 AM	#8
NeverlosT A bit fishy Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Luis Obispo, CA Posts: 416	Thanks for the input guys. I built a custom stand and hood for the 90 and spent about 5 hours sanding them last night. Tonight they get their pre-stain and then stained tomorrow. The stand is bulletproof and level. I was just interested in joint integrity with 90 gallon tanks. From the sound of it, they have no more problems than any other kind of tank! Here is another question: The plastic trim around the bottom of the tank has a vertical crack (like 3/4 of an inch long) in the front lower right corner running vertically down the corner itself. How much structural integrity does that flimsy plastic frame afford the tank? Should I epoxy the corner to repair that plastic for good or just not worry about it? Thanks for your help! I painted the tank trim last night with Krylon Fusion spraypaint. I am doing another coat tonight since it came out a bit uneven (damn humidity). It looks good though! I didnt sand it (sorry JayK, got your message too late!) but am told that the Fusion paint sticks very well. __________________ [url=http://drugstore-onlinecatalog.com/]drugstore-onlinecatalog.com[/url] Current Tank Info: 150g SPS cube

08/25/2009, 12:53 PM	#9
100%hydrophylic Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: GA Posts: 1,636	well, just because something is flimsy doesnt mean it doesnt give support. for example, the center brace in a tank is usually pretty flimsy, but with out it your tank will bow out and probably break do to pressure in time. now, idk if the same thing applies to the rim around the bottom of the tank, so id wait for other people to respond __________________ :) Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef, 28g nano SPS

08/25/2009, 09:39 PM	#10
jayk198030 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tag, your it! Posts: 783	IMO it will be fine and i would fill crack if visible. __________________ I feel like 1.025 and i look like skimmate. I eat crap and throw up! What am I? Current Tank Info: I need help!!