actually, glass tanks bow frequently. especially ones made 'old style' with no braces ala most 40g breeders. they are a carryover from the braceless early to mid 90's and prior..
40 Gallon Breeder-Bowing?
- Thread starter BlueKiller82
- Start date
have you ever seen one of the older tanks from the 90's? they were made with thicker glass and were designed to bow slightly. it was normal.
I had 65g and a 90g that had the same footprint (different heights) but the glass tops were slightly different dimensions because the 90g would bow slightly more than the 65g and this was taken into account when the glass tops were designed.
glass can bow. I agree though extreme bowing is not good.
but a slight bow on an "old style" (braceless) tank like a modern 40g breeder is normal and not cause for concern.
however, as mentioned, if you try and fill up a REPTILE tank with water, it probably won't hold for very long..the reptile tanks I have seen in my area have been really thin.
eg a 90g aquarium is made with 1/2" glass. a 90g reptile 'enclosure' is made with 1/8th. I bet if you filled it to the top it would burst very quickly..
however, it sounds to me like this is a normal, braceless 40g, which as I showed with that link, has a slight bow that is expected.
I had 65g and a 90g that had the same footprint (different heights) but the glass tops were slightly different dimensions because the 90g would bow slightly more than the 65g and this was taken into account when the glass tops were designed.
glass can bow. I agree though extreme bowing is not good.
but a slight bow on an "old style" (braceless) tank like a modern 40g breeder is normal and not cause for concern.
however, as mentioned, if you try and fill up a REPTILE tank with water, it probably won't hold for very long..the reptile tanks I have seen in my area have been really thin.
eg a 90g aquarium is made with 1/2" glass. a 90g reptile 'enclosure' is made with 1/8th. I bet if you filled it to the top it would burst very quickly..
however, it sounds to me like this is a normal, braceless 40g, which as I showed with that link, has a slight bow that is expected.
Does the tank have a clean seam around the top?... or is it notched at the top so you can "slide" a top in?... if it's the latter it is a reptile tank... and no way would I trust it even if you braced it. My 40breeder does not bow. at least not visiably. It's been up and running for years. It's very common to find these tanks for sale w/out the original screen top sold as "fish tanks" finding 40 gallons of water on my floor would stink.. but finding my fish dead would stink more.
glass boes bow just a little (i should know i am a glazier) but even the smallest scratch/etch will make it shatter if it boes put a bar in and save the fuss but be careful witth a thin tank and dont scratch it
Tank is definitely not Acrylic. Most reptile tanks will say on the bottom not to fill with water.
Yea i measured the middle of the tank versus the edge and its about 1/8" difference, so each side must bow out a 1/16", I guess i shouldnt worry much.
The reason I had some glass panes I purchased but couldnt use them without a center brace, so I made something out of Lexan to support them, then after filling the tank it didnt fit as nicely as when the tank was empty.
Thanks again for all the feedback.
Yea i measured the middle of the tank versus the edge and its about 1/8" difference, so each side must bow out a 1/16", I guess i shouldnt worry much.
The reason I had some glass panes I purchased but couldnt use them without a center brace, so I made something out of Lexan to support them, then after filling the tank it didnt fit as nicely as when the tank was empty.
Thanks again for all the feedback.
