1600 gallon aquarium explodes!!

[Floyd R Turbo]

One of our LFS's got a used 1600 gallon acrylic (1-1/2" thick) tank and has been spending the last couple months prepping, piping, building rock display, etc. They filled it starting Wednesday and at 12:30 pm yesterday afternoon, the bottom seal along the back edge gave out and the backside ripped off, dumping all the water (it was full) in 5 seconds. Apparently, they caught it on the store surveillance system, which is brand new and 16 cameras.

Here's the thread about it on our local reef society website. The owner has chimed in a few times. Luckily, he's still alive - he was standing behind the tank when it happened.

http://www.greateriowareefsociety.o...ms/tabid/78/aft/21436/afnp/64895/Default.aspx

 

[t4zalews]

there's no video..i really wanna see the video of this thing blowing out

 

[Floowid]

We had one let go on us when I worked for a small shop. It was a used acrylic, only about 500 gallons but as tall as it was wide, nearly a cube. It had a little of the spider cracking you see deep in the acrylic of old abused tanks. We were just leak testing it out in the back, and it was nearly full when the front seam let go. Half of us were expecting it and it still scared the crap out of me.

I have stayed far away from used acrylic tanks since.

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

The video will not be available for about another week. They said it was an insurance thing. I'll let you know when it's up. I want to see it too!!!

The person that was at the register said she didn't even really hear it, there was just water everywhere all of the sudden - no loud bang or crash. Weird.

 

[t4zalews]

i just picture people being carried off in water to the streets...

 

[s.reef]

It links to a video. Thats crazy

 

[TenKreefer]

http://www.whotv.com/news/who-story-aquarium-bursts-120310,0,643901.story

 

[sedor]

Better in a commercial business that is built to withstand mishaps like this than someones house. Still, that sucks!

 

[meatball87]

Wow that sucks glad he has insurance

 

[prop-frags]

Dang - you can see the guy behind the tank running off to the right - it looks like he heard it start to give out just before the back blew out...

 

[jpsika08]

Wow, it looks like an in-store Tsunami! thanks for sharing.

 

[tozzi]

Wow that stinks!

 

[t4zalews]

to be honest...it doesnt look like it caused any damage. Just squeejee <--spelling outside. no harm no foul.

I almost bought a 240g used acrylic tank...if this would of happened to me I would have been SOL

 

[cdsheid]

No way i saw that tank i go in their regularly. I saw the post and had to see if it happened to be in west des moines ia and i couldnt believe it was. That has to suck it was going to be a great tank.

 

[Blakeup295]

whoa..

 

[dzfish17]

After watching that it does make me a little nervous about my tank exploding. Does anyone know how old the tank was or who made it?

Dave

 

[edandsandy]

Glad no one got hurt....

 

[Beaun]

Glad no one got hurt....

+1, that has the possibilty of seriously injury.

 

[cowdust9]

******* is the company that makes the tank

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

I wonder why that got ***'d out?