Is my tank ok? (Picture)

[jamesp]

Where the top meets the front and side of the tank there are what to appear to be small cracks starting from the outer part of the tank going in. Any ideas?
<a href="http://www.fastraqs.com/fish/cracks.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.fastraqs.com/fish/cracks.jpg</a>
Thanks, James

 

[tellico tornado]

looks more like scratches than cracks to me. The glass looks to be plenty thick. It would be pretty hard to crack that thick of glass, especially that many times all in one big area. Is that a all glass tank or acrylic?

 

[lordofthereef]

looks pretty crapy too me!
got a mop???

 

[lu]

IMO it looks like someone took a sander and sanded the sides smooth, but then didn't finish with really fine paper and filler. It looks like an acrylic, is it????
How long has it been this way? How long have you had th etank?

 

[jamesp]

It's not scratches, it below the surface of the glass. It almost looks like the layer of glue is what is cracking.
It's plexi glass. I have had the tank for almost a year and a half. It's been that way since I have had it. Got it used.
Here is how it's layered:
top of tank
cracks
side/front of tank
James

 

[tellico tornado]

hmmmm, may be cracks. I dont know if i would have bought it if it looked like that. But then again, its always hard to pass up a deal.

 

[cyn]

Yes, they are cracks. When acrylic is stressed you get cracking like what you see in the picture. Does the tank have any supports across the top? If not, this may help. What looks like is happening is the pressure of the water pushing out is bowing the acrylic, so some cross supports should stop further damage. If you can not see these cracks anywhere but at the top, you should be ok, if you provide some support soon.
BTW, all tanks bow to some degree it is a normal happening.
HTH,
cyn

 

[jamesp]

It's starting to come down the sides. That’s why I posted. I knew the top was doing it some time ago, but it's below the water line so I didn't worry.
Not sure what you mean by supports. Where would you put them?
Thanks, James

 

[cyn]

Something like an acrylic bar from front to back every 2 feet or so. This limits the ammount of movement the acrylic panel has.
How far down the sides are the cracks now? I will e-mail my father, he is a structural engineer and ask his opinion if you like. We are currently designing a larger acrylic tank for me. My current tank is a 55 all glass.
cyn

 

[cyn]

Oh, You will have to drain alot of water before you put the support bars on the top, to relieve the pressure on the acrylic. Sorry I left that off...
cyn

 

[jamesp]

About 3/8" down both front sides.
I'm going tank shopping. It would cost me a lot more then a new tank if it lets go, not to mention a headache. I plan on having tanks for many years. I don't want to have to worry about it all the time.
Your suggestion of bracing I’m sure will help, but it's not a sure thing.
Thanks

 

[cyn]

Glad to help. I agree that a new tank is going to be worth the expense in peace of mind.
cyn

 

[q]

If it is a crack then why patch something if it is allready weak. Replace it before any dammage results and your whole tank is wipped out.

 

[jamesp]

On my way down to the store now.