Glass tanks are @$*! - What else is there, Help !!!

[northshore]

I’m writing this after eleven hours of cleaning up my 225gl tank which sprung a leak for the second time in seven years. At seven o’clock this morning I was done with aquariums, but now I’m partially modifying my stance. Yes the stand was professionally made and perfectly level. After the first leak (tank was ten months old) I took great pains to make sure everything was perfect. Now almost six years later here I am again. Excuse my rants………….

I will NEVER own another traditional glass tank. I use a lot of MH lighting and therefore can’t use an acrylic tank because of the heat build up. The tank has been located in an area of my house where you can see it from all sides, therefore, a box tank with only the front glass won’t work.

I have seen a lot of box tanks ( plywood with epoxy coating and only glass in the front) in my area and they seem to never leak because the glass is always being pushed against the silicone seal by the water pressure. The glass is bigger than the outside frame, so they just put a bead of silicone around the glass and then push it up against the frame.

My question is does anyone know of another type of tank construction which would reduce dramatically the chance of leaks. I was thinking of a stainless steel frame, which would then be epoxy coated on the inside. The glass could then be installed on all the facing sides using the same technique as a box tank. With the glass being pushed against the silicone and frame, my chances of a leak should be nil.

Any ideas or comments?
Anyone have another idea for tank construction which would solve my leaking?

Thanks for the input
Frustrated !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Jeff Hood]

I think it would work but consider finding you a local guy that can weld you a titanium frame and then you wouldn't even need to worry about coating it. Should be very cool looking.

Good stainless should not corode but there are different grades so some can slowly corode on you.

A good acrylic tank with no top bracing at all with a titanium top band brace could also work for you with maybe one metal strip across the middle.

Just be creative. Its only money.

 

[monkeyboy]

I'm not quite sure that i'd write off glass tanks that quickly...

Glass tanks springing leaks are pretty rare, how many posts have you seen within the last few years about people with leaking tanks? You could have a tank made with titanium or stainless steel support but I think that would be over-kill for a 225.

I'd find a quality custom tank manufacturer and just get a new tank. Well, that's what i'd do anyways. HTH, Good luck with whatever you do!

BTW, did the tank drain overnight? 225 gallons on the floor frightens me.

 

[Anonymous]

You could do a wood tank like you were talking about, but with windows on all sides.

RR

 

[SAT]

I have to agree with monkeyboy. If a glass tank leaks at the seams (and I'm not talking about one that's old enough for the silicone to start failing, say after 25 years), it was defective. A well built tank will have no bubbles in the seams between the glass panels and will hold water even if the builder doesn't apply the usual extra seal along the interior joints. Unfortunately, some (perhaps most) manufacturers aren't that careful.

 

[Iron]

There times when I see 1-2 post a month on glass tanks leakin.g I've had 2 myself leak on me 100g and a 20g. I would say it happens and it's not rare. IMO I would never buy another glass tank unless it was custom built. Oceanics/aga look cheap to me. The seams I just don't think they are top quality.Anything less than Oceanic I wouldn't even concider IMO

 

[naesco]

Have you considered any open tank made of acrylic?

 

[Mouse]

mmmmmm, just thinking about an open top acrylic tank with titnium bracing.

OMG, what have i become :?

 

[Mouse]

Oh, BTW, ive had two tanks leak in ten years. Both straight out the box. And ive only ever bought two. So 50/50 with leaks im afraid Mr Clearseal :evil:

 

[Anonymous]

northshore- what brand of tank is it? I have been keeping aquaria for about 35 years, and never had a leak. My 65 all-glass did break (due to a fire), and I literally threw the whole thing out onto my front lawn. I later knocked out the rest of the broken pane with a hammer and siliconed in a new sheet. Even after this rough treatment, all the other seals hold fine.

 

[aggiefish]

I used to work at large chain petstore (not petco) that shall remain nameless 8O , but we sold cheap glass tanks that would probably have a 50/50 chance of leaking. So when i decided to start up my first marine tank I went to another smaller local store and bought an Oceanic tank at four times the price and it was worth every penny. I think glass tanks can leak but if you spend the extra money and buy quality tanks your odds of a leak go down significantly. I don't know what the quality of Oceanic is now but when i bought my tank it was superb, compared to the junk we sold at my store the glass was noticeably thicker and the seams and silicone was much higher quality. Plus the center brace at the top was solid glass in my oceanic not cheap plastic like the other tanks. JMO.



Guy
Texas A&M class of 2004, Whoop!