Help! 29g Long sides bending out. Bad?!

S

scheckler

AC Members
Oct 8, 2009
9
0
0
Hey guys. First post. I bought a 29g long tank off of craigslist the other day. It had apparently held fish perfectly fine in the past. I cleaned it up, built a stand and filled her up!

Anyways, I noticed that the sides are bending out quite a bit. the glass is roughly 1/4" think and the bending is maaaybe slightly less than that. There is very noticeable distortion while viewing the tank from the front.

No bubbles in silicone but I did notice that at certain points in the glass joints, it is not perfectly see-through like in other spots. No leaks and the tank has been full for a little over two weeks.

Should I be concerned? If so, how much? I'd get rid of the tank before living a nervous life with it haha. And no, this is not a bowfront tank lol!

Thanks SO much.
-Scott
 
Uhm, i'd be very concerned. I don't think tanks are supposed to flex. A leak is imminent.
 
a little flexing on the top is fairly normal, if it worrys you measure the side glass go to the glass shop and have them cut you a piece of 1/4 inch glass and silicone it across the middle for a brace
 
Last edited:
The silicone holding the glass together has nothing to do with whether it bows out. My 29 bows slightly as well, it is about 5 years old.

I don't see any distortion in mine, it sounds like yours bows a lot worse. I would replace it just due to paranoia of it exploding.
 
I've never had tank glas visibliy bow. I wouldn't trust it at ALL. you should be able to resell is on CL for a reptile only tank, and get another one for a reasonably good price. 29s aren't that expensive.
 
If the glass wasn't formed into a bow, it isn't structurally sound when it is. As it bows, the exterior glass is stretched and the interior glass is compressed - that's a lot of stress on a rigid crystal. If it gets too stressed, the slightest bump could shatter it. It's interesting that the sides are bowing, and not the long front/back. But it shouldn't be trusted - I wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing that. Best of luck!
 
Thanks for all the help guys. I should clarify, it is the front and back that are bowing. Sadly, today, I drained it and have began my search for a new 29g... you live and you learn.

Again, Thanks!

feel free to keep em comin if you'd like to. maybe there's another guy out there like me.
 
angyles said:
I've never had tank glas visibliy bow. I wouldn't trust it at ALL. you should be able to resell is on CL for a reptile only tank, and get another one for a reasonably good price. 29s aren't that expensive.
Click to expand...

:iagree:

Sounds like someone sold you a "Reptile" tank as a fish tank. I'd drain it ASAP it wasn't made to hold water.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom