Bowing Ten Gallon?

echoofformless

echoofformless

Peat Advocate & Defender Of Snails
Oct 1, 2005
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Phil Uh Del Feeya
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I just upgraded my system from ten to a twenty, and figured I could use the old ten gallon for a qt tank. I was just about to reseal it when I noticed that the long panels actually seem to be bowing slightly! It's hardly noticable, but I'm worried that it's not worth refilling it now. Any opinions?
 
How much are they bowing? Are the seals in good shape? What manufacturer tank is it?

If the flex is extreme, or increases when the tank is filled, I'd probably just replace it--10's are pretty cheap.
 
Yeah, I figure eight or nine bucks vs. the risk is probably worth it.

It's an all-glass. It held a full load for almost five years. A small leak started a few months ago at the top corner, so I was just going to strip and reseal the whole thing. Probably better to ditch it. Though I didnt think a ten gallon would bow...I was a bit surprised.
 
Definitely replace it, its worth spending a couple bucks to save a couple fish's lives, or anything that would be around the tank if it were to give out.
 
Never looked at my 10, but it does have a bow to it. My 55 allglass definatly has about 1/2 inch out both front and back but you made me rush home to check the 10. I was wondering what OG meant by "how much of a bow does it have?".
 
Well my 10 bows a little too. Considering the thickness of the glass i am sure its "normal". In the middle of the front and back its about 2-3 millimeters.
 
wow!!! tanks are cheaps there! you'd be looking $40 for a 10 gallon here... at least!!! at one stage my brother was looking for a 1 gallon fighter bowl... you're looking at 25-30 dollars for that! in aust. $10 will get you like a 1/2 litre fighter pen of doom!

hayley
 
Most smaller tanks are made of thinner glass and will have some bowing when full. If it's not extreme--at a guess, no more than 1/4 inch of flex per 12 inches of glass, it's unlikely to break. In this case, the seams are already breaking, leading me to think there's more bow here than that.

I have a 55 that has some bow to it--doesn't worry me, as the seams are all intact, and the glass retains that bow even when empty.
 
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