Bracing question..55.gallon bowing out

[Skullman210]

Hey I got a friend who I got into saltwater tanks after being a fresh water fanatic for years. Anyway he decided to customize his own 55 gallon aquarium with a 10 gallon sump. Well here's my question im afraid his lack of attention to detail may cause problems. He removed the trim on top to have an all glass look and its open top with a light still needs to add about 20 more pounds live rock but I noticed on front and back the tank is bowing out I would say the middle is about a half inch out from lining up with the corners is this bad or normal? Should I bring it to his attention and suggest a brace of some sort? any info would be appreciated thanks.

 

[doctorgori]

I've seen that move countless times, even pulled it myself....
...short answer: it won't last long w/o a brace of some type,,,maybe the old 55's but none after 1982
...I do vaguely recall someone, somewhere that actually sold the plastic rims...problem is not all manufacturers have exactly the same dimensions
..I also recall a failed attempt to re-frame a tank with wood...
...you might be looking at a Herp tank I'm sad to say

Edited to add...see if the mods will move this to the DIY section...its possible you may get better info there

 

[Skullman210]

Thats what I figured thanks for the info. Just wanted to make sure I wasnt being over cautious. Well thats going to be his responsibilities to figure out what to do ha. He went off on his own doing this never having atank that large while I used to have a 55 reef setup and always wouldn't make changes without proper research. Anyways ill tell him although I shouldn't ha jk. Thanks

 

[pmark]

I accidentally cracked the trim on my 55 gallon a couple years ago and notice a 3/4" in bowing and drained half the water immediately. This is not something to let slide by unless you want a flood. I forget the part #, but you can ask your LFS to order the trim itself if they don't already have it in stock. Try searching online or call aqueon for the part #. Should cost less than $20. Just apply silicone to the inside of the new trim and pop it back on the tank, let cure for 24hrs and your friend is good to go.

 

[JerseyClowns]

An accident waiting to happen if you ask me...

 

[atticus818]

Probably better to just play it safe IMO. That's a lot of water if anything goes wrong.