Is my tank failing?

[Drips702]

Hey guys i just bought this used tank a few weeks ago and i noticed alot of "crazing" . Also, im not sure if the seams look normal, this is my fist acrylic tank and im worried it wont hold up. Can someone looks at these photos and tell me how screwed i am? The tank is perfectly levelled but there is a small gap between the tank and stand, it doesnt go all the way across just in the front center.

 

[Lepisosteus]

Poorly built tank. Drain it and add some type of support to the seams. Either acrylic rods or weldon 40

 

[DN328]

Poorly built tank. Drain it and add some type of support to the seams. Either acrylic rods or weldon 40

Just for educatiin, what are the indicators that it's poorly built vs. a tank that's showing its age? TIA.

 

[Rocksor]

Just for educatiin, what are the indicators that it's poorly built vs. a tank that's showing its age? TIA.

The crazing in the first 2 pictures (pic 1 & 2) go pretty far in, more than 50%, even in the bottom (pic 4 & 5).

 

[Lepisosteus]

In my opinion crazing like that is a result of a few things.

1) the most likely being not thick enough material for the size of the tank. Based off the seam separation I would lean towards this one
2) the use of alcohol prior to the application of solvent within the seam, a pooling effect of solvent on the panel during fabrication or solvent added to a seam that has been polished
3) the use of any alcohol, or ammonia based product to clean the tank. I would say this is less likely then the above as you would see crazing within the panels not just along the edge

A proper built acrylic tank should not craze or separate if adequate material thickness and technique is used during fabrication.