Acrylic Stress Fractures

Muze813 · 09/14/2012, 04:32 PM

Hi everyone,

I could really use some advice here. I have a 75G corner pentagon Uniquarium. It is an all acrylic tank, and it was quite expensive. I live in an apartment. My smaller reef tanks are all-glass tanks (which I like better), but for this bigger one...I just thought that acrylic would be stronger and safer. I found out just how strong it was last year when the Virginia / East Coast earthquake hit. (I live in Charlottesville, VA and the quake's epicenter was only about 15 miles away). The tank made it through the quake, but there are some stress fractures now in the acrylic...mostly near the bottom front corners. It seems to be doing ok, but it makes me a little nervous because I don't know how much fractures like that can compromise the integrity of the acrylic. I am preparing to move to a new apartment next week. I figured if something does need to be done with it, this would be a good time since the tank will be dismantled anyway for moving. Any thoughts? Are these something to worry about or are they usually ok? Please help! Thank you

Muze813 · 09/15/2012, 03:45 AM

please, does anyone have any thoughts? This is the only acrylic aquarium I have ever owned. I don't know if these stress fractures are a serious problem, or if they are normal part of settling / aging for acrylic tanks.

GratefulReef · 09/15/2012, 08:16 AM

I have no clue, hopefully someone will chime in with some acrylic exp. I do however know that acrylic is pretty expensive which is why I have a glass aquarium lol

Dapg8gt · 09/15/2012, 08:21 AM

If you can post some pics if possible I'm sure it would help..

09/14/2012, 04:32 PM	#1
Muze813 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 28	Acrylic Stress Fractures Hi everyone, I could really use some advice here. I have a 75G corner pentagon Uniquarium. It is an all acrylic tank, and it was quite expensive. I live in an apartment. My smaller reef tanks are all-glass tanks (which I like better), but for this bigger one...I just thought that acrylic would be stronger and safer. I found out just how strong it was last year when the Virginia / East Coast earthquake hit. (I live in Charlottesville, VA and the quake's epicenter was only about 15 miles away). The tank made it through the quake, but there are some stress fractures now in the acrylic...mostly near the bottom front corners. It seems to be doing ok, but it makes me a little nervous because I don't know how much fractures like that can compromise the integrity of the acrylic. I am preparing to move to a new apartment next week. I figured if something does need to be done with it, this would be a good time since the tank will be dismantled anyway for moving. Any thoughts? Are these something to worry about or are they usually ok? Please help! Thank you

09/15/2012, 08:21 AM	#4
Dapg8gt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Pacifica Posts: 3,741	If you can post some pics if possible I'm sure it would help.. __________________ 15 years in the hobby yet still learning every day. 280g radium lit sps flat living in my garage rent free. Current Tank Info: 105g SPS dominant euro braced powered by 4 ecotech pumps and lit by an ATI powermodule controlled by a reef angel =).

09/15/2012, 03:45 AM	#2
Muze813 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 28	please, does anyone have any thoughts? This is the only acrylic aquarium I have ever owned. I don't know if these stress fractures are a serious problem, or if they are normal part of settling / aging for acrylic tanks.

09/15/2012, 08:16 AM	#3
GratefulReef Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: syracuse,ny Posts: 288	I have no clue, hopefully someone will chime in with some acrylic exp. I do however know that acrylic is pretty expensive which is why I have a glass aquarium lol