Has falling rock ever cracked a tank?

Ocicat · 07/12/2009, 07:30 AM

When arranging LR, I've always been paranoid about making sure it's totally stable. Obviously this is important for the safety of the inhabitants, but my biggest fear was always that a toppled piece of rock, if heavy enough, might crack the glass - either the bottom or one of the sides.

But - I have never heard of that actually happening. Does this happen? Has anybody heard of this happening, or experienced it themselves?

Whisperer · 07/12/2009, 08:11 AM

Never heard of one instance. The buoyant force of saltwater softens the impact.

sanababit · 07/12/2009, 08:46 AM

i have never heard of a rock breaking an aquarium either

sana

BigJay · 07/12/2009, 08:51 AM

I've heard of it happening, a guy in our local club lost his 125 to a rockslide. He woke up to his entire tank on his livingroom floor. There are things you can do to help prevent a disaster.

Use an aquarium safe putty to make the base rocks stick together better. If the base is solid, there's much less chance of it all coming apart.

Use the bigger/heavier rocks on the bottom.

Stack the rock on some eggcrate or the bottom glass pane of the tank, not on the sand. If you build your aquascape on sand, all it takes is one engineer goby to bring it all down.

noahm · 07/12/2009, 08:54 AM

I am sure it has happened a few times, but on 10/20g tanks that are very thin glass, or when someone is scaping a dry tank. Otherwise it would take a very unlucky hit to do it. There is no way it is going to happen on a tempered bottom tank though. I've taken a hammer to that stuff.

fufu · 07/12/2009, 08:57 AM

Some Aquarium tank bottom are made of tempered glass so make it even harder to crack. If you going for bare bottom I get some rods for support to be sure, it not, a layer of sand will be the safety net.

kumb knots · 07/12/2009, 09:54 AM

I was doing rock scape and it fell against the glass did not brake but i do have a nice scratch on the front glass?

Imzadi · 07/12/2009, 10:29 AM

I could see it blowing out a side panel before a bottom. A corner of a rock, at just the right spot could pop a side out in an instant... especially under pressure of water load.

Aqua Keepers · 07/12/2009, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gooyferret

I like the picture alot, helps the people that cant read!

07/12/2009, 07:30 AM	#1
Ocicat Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: St. Louis, Mo Posts: 1,049	Has falling rock ever cracked a tank? When arranging LR, I've always been paranoid about making sure it's totally stable. Obviously this is important for the safety of the inhabitants, but my biggest fear was always that a toppled piece of rock, if heavy enough, might crack the glass - either the bottom or one of the sides. But - I have never heard of that actually happening. Does this happen? Has anybody heard of this happening, or experienced it themselves? __________________ Everything floats down here. Current Tank Info: Entirely hypothetical

07/12/2009, 08:11 AM	#2
Whisperer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Punta Gorda, FL Posts: 4,020	Never heard of one instance. The buoyant force of saltwater softens the impact. __________________ The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten. --------- No one is born with intellect and age guarantees wisdom to no one. Current Tank Info: 120G reef, 30G sump, 10G QT tank

07/12/2009, 08:46 AM	#3
sanababit Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Uranus Posts: 3,094	i have never heard of a rock breaking an aquarium either sana __________________ Senior Member of the "Hardly any Water Changes, Temp Swinging, T5ing, No Qtining, Frag Exchanging for Fish Food Current Tank Info: 90RR inwall, Octopuss Skimmer, 2 MP40 wQD, 1 MP10 WQD, 2 Radions G4 Pro, Apex Doser, Apex Controller, 400w heater, 30 Gal Sump, Biopellets, Carbon, Gfo, Macroalgae

07/12/2009, 08:51 AM	#4
BigJay Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Southlake, Texas Posts: 1,872	I've heard of it happening, a guy in our local club lost his 125 to a rockslide. He woke up to his entire tank on his livingroom floor. There are things you can do to help prevent a disaster. Use an aquarium safe putty to make the base rocks stick together better. If the base is solid, there's much less chance of it all coming apart. Use the bigger/heavier rocks on the bottom. Stack the rock on some eggcrate or the bottom glass pane of the tank, not on the sand. If you build your aquascape on sand, all it takes is one engineer goby to bring it all down. __________________ PBITAWA

07/12/2009, 09:54 AM	#7
kumb knots Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Greenville S.C Posts: 37	I was doing rock scape and it fell against the glass did not brake but i do have a nice scratch on the front glass? __________________ knumb knots big game fishing team Current Tank Info: We have a 150 gal reef with 40 gal sump and fuge 3-250 watt highlights 20k refluxs

07/12/2009, 08:54 AM	#5
noahm Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,736	I am sure it has happened a few times, but on 10/20g tanks that are very thin glass, or when someone is scaping a dry tank. Otherwise it would take a very unlucky hit to do it. There is no way it is going to happen on a tempered bottom tank though. I've taken a hammer to that stuff.

07/12/2009, 08:57 AM	#6
fufu Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston Posts: 432	Some Aquarium tank bottom are made of tempered glass so make it even harder to crack. If you going for bare bottom I get some rods for support to be sure, it not, a layer of sand will be the safety net.

07/12/2009, 10:29 AM	#8
Imzadi Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,038	I could see it blowing out a side panel before a bottom. A corner of a rock, at just the right spot could pop a side out in an instant... especially under pressure of water load. __________________ If you don't agree with me, that's fine... just go, think about it some more, and come back when you do. Current Tank Info: 120g Freshie, 55g salty with a 2/3 BeanAnimal. BA METHOD - TESTIFY! I am a DIY Disaster, but I am saving money! Damsel FREE since 07/08/09!