Bowfront problems??

[aquagal]

Hello all!
I'm in the process (or thought I was) of setting up my very first SW system. Read the books, searched the 'net, asked the LFS. Decided on a 46g bowfront. Just love the look of them. Then, yesterday, a guy at the LFS tells me "watch out, I've heard the bowfronts leak." Not what I wanted to hear. Has anyone else heard this? If it's a problem I will just go with a 55 rectangle. But I REALLY like the bows! Also, Petsmart has one for $169, but Oceanic has one for $218. Is Oceanic really a better tank?
Thanks for any help!!!

 

[bang guy]

Any tank can leak. I don't believe bowfronds are any more likely and I've actually not hear of one leaking.
Oceanic is definately better built but it's up to you to determine if it's worth the extra cost. IMO - I wish I had bought Oceanic instead of all-glass. Even though they are the same company now the Oceanic line is definately premium.

 

[aquagal]

Thanks for the reassurance about the bowfronts! Can I pick your brains again, please? I just read a post that said looking through a filled BF was like looking through a magnifying glass (distorted). Ever experienced that? I'm wondering if that could be caused by inferior glass quality?
Thanx!

 

[bang guy]

The distortion only really happens if you stick your nose right up to the glass (a common occurance at my house). It will look magnified though. The major effect of the magnification is depth perception. A coral that looks up front on top of the rocks will actually be a lot further back that it would appear. When placing corals under your light you need to look from the top or you will place them too far back.

 

[madd catt]

Has anyone working in a pet shop sold those new oceanic bow fronts with the stainless steele look and what do you think about the new look of the tank.

 

[offshore80]

To ease your mind a little I have a 46 All-glass bow front with 80 lbs of live rock. I'm the same way. I love the look of the Bow Front. I think it adds so much depth to the tank and a little style to. I just purchased a 175 Oceanic Bow front and it looks great from all angles. But, so does my pee wee 46.

 

[jrittz]

I'm currently running a 72 gallon All-Glass and i'm rather happy with it. A friend of mine runs a 55 Gallon rectangle and a 75 gallon flat back hex acrylic, his acrylic looks nice but looks wise, I still like the 72g bow front. No problems thus far with leaking. Also the all glass 72g bow fronts have a black silicon seal. This means if you ever have to treat the tank with a colored chemical, you wont have to worry about the clear silicon staining green or which ever color your chemicals may be. As far as distortion, yes there is some but it's nothing that would sway me to purcahse a rectangle tank.
Just my 2 cents.
Jrittz

 

[aquagal]

Thanks everyone for your great advice and comments. I found a deal on my 46 BF at *****. It has 2 itty-bitty scratches and they'll give me 20% off !! Works for me. Thanks again!!!

 

[madd catt]

I like the bow fronts but the corner tanks look nice too!

 

[aquagal]

madd catt: I read somewhere that some corner tanks are so deep it's hard to keep from having "dead spots" (no circulation). Ever heard that? Most of my LFS's have a hard time selling their corners, but that could just be this area. I agree, though, they're awesome! Wish I had a corner to put one in

 

[madd catt]

I have not heard that about corner tanks,i suppose that it may be true?

 

[beth]

Awhile back there were some problems with the All-Glass Aquarium larger tank bowfronts, but that problem was addressed. Also, never heard of any problems with Oceanics bow's.
I have a bowfront and have not had a problem.

 

[aquagal]

Thanks yet again for all your replies! You reassured me, and I bought the 46g bowfront yesterday. 30% off!!! I just love bargains It's just sitting there, bare as can be - but not for long! I'm sure I'll be asking all kinds of questions as I buy all the equipment and livestock. It's so nice to know where the "answer people" hang out.
Wish me luck!