Tank cracked!!

[noahm]

Originally posted by luther1200
Acrylic is just as likely to fail if not more IMO. You say properly built and braced acrylic tank is extremely unlikely to fail and I agree, but the same could be said for glass. I would venture to say that its probably pretty even.

It is not an issue of the seam failing on a properly built glass tank or a properly acrylic. Glass will break much sooner under a torsion stress. Even a properly built one. This is a fact. The pane of an acrylic tank will not crack like that. It is not about which aquarium is better. It is just the facts of the kinds of stresses the two materials can take. A pinpoint stress can also break glass much more easily. The reason a lot of people choose acrylic on larger tanks is simply that the risk of dumping a gob of water on the floor due to a rock slide or uneven stand/floor settling IS greater. You are correct though in that the seams failing on either a properly built glass or acrylic are pretty negligible risks. This incident is not a seam failure though.

There is a reason public aquariums use it primarily.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-...-aquariums.htm


"Glass is a long-time favorite of many aquarists because it is traditional and therefore has a loyal following. Aquarists who favor glass believe acrylic is a poor choice because it scratches easier than glass. Although this is true, acrylic has many advantages over glass.

For one, acrylic is 17x stronger than glass, softer and more flexible than glass, making it highly impact resistant.

Secondly, acrylic weighs 50% less than glass, making it much more portable.

Thirdly, acrylic insulates 20% better than glass, which reduces temperature fluctuations and saves on heating and chiller bills.

If these benefits aren't enough, the seams of acrylic tanks are molecularly welded. The resin used to seal them chemically melts the two pieces of material into one solid piece for a clear polished seam that is virtually unable to leak.

Another advantage of acrylic is that it has a transparency rating of 93%, which is as clear as optical glass. In fact acrylic passes the most light of any known material.

For all of these reasons virtually all modern public aquariums are made from acrylic. And while acrylic can scratch, scratches are easily buffed out of acrylic without having to remove fish or water.

Many myths have been laid to rest about acrylic. Some believed it could turn brittle or yellow with time. Plastic can do this, but acrylic does not. Others believe acrylic tanks bow and distort. An acrylic tank made to proper specifications will not bow or distort. One caveat about acrylic that my be important to know, however, is that it is flammable. You won't want to create ambiance by setting a burning candle on top of your tank."

More at
Drs. Foster and Smith

http://www.peteducation.com/article....+1968&aid=2857

[Tc269]

Well we figured out what was wrong. the stand had or developed a dip where the tank was suppose to rest on. you could fit a piece of cardboard though it, not a big piece of cardboard more like just a piece of carboard paper. We also noticed a chip of glass missing where the frame covered the glass and this looks to be where the crack started. So we guess the combination of the two caused the crack. to fix the dip I bought a laminate counter top (yes what goes in you kitchen) and put in very small shims where the dip was. The counter top was 3/4 an inch thick, and perfectly flat!! To fix the other problem I bought a brand new marineland tank with corner flow. I am back on my horse.... but if this one goes south I am out!! Let me know if there is anything wrong with my setup everything is level and flat now.

[Lightsluvr]

Originally posted by pmrossetti
Many tanks at my local fish stores have cracked. Rock, water, whatever. Go to acrylic. More care involved, but a lot less likely to flood your house. My local fish stores have. Thanks

Acrylic cracks too... even 1" thick acrylic... it just cracks at seams...

Been there, seen that.

LL

[Lightsluvr]

Originally posted by Tc269
Well we figured out what was wrong. the stand had or developed a dip where the tank was suppose to rest on. you could fit a piece of cardboard though it, not a big piece of cardboard more like just a piece of carboard paper. We also noticed a chip of glass missing where the frame covered the glass and this looks to be where the crack started. So we guess the combination of the two caused the crack. to fix the dip I bought a laminate counter top (yes what goes in you kitchen) and put in very small shims where the dip was. The counter top was 3/4 an inch thick, and perfectly flat!! To fix the other problem I bought a brand new marineland tank with corner flow. I am back on my horse.... but if this one goes south I am out!! Let me know if there is anything wrong with my setup everything is level and flat now.

When that laminate gets wet (and it will), is it going to "de-laminate" ? There's a reason stand builders don't use that stuff. If you're going to add a new top to an uneven stand, you might consider two thicknesses of 3/4" marine-grade plywood. Put your shims, if needed, between the thicknesses of plywood. JMHO.

LL

[Tc269]

my dad used this same stuff as a top for his tank for 15 years and it never de-laminated... i dont know why they dont use this stuff in making stands. it seems alot more sturdy and straight than plywood? dont take this the wrong way as I do appriciate the imput.

[serpentman]

Originally posted by hawkfishman
glass sucks

Sounds like an unlevel stand cause this. My bet is acrylic would have done the same thing....