Busted Tank ?HELP

[Dragon68]

I am not sure if this is the right forum but i am new to this.Yesterday my 125Gal. oceanic tank cracked from top to bottom lucky i was home but it was a MESS.What i need to ask is when it was set up the floor would move when you would walk buy it(the top of the tank would move about a half to a hole inch)& in a high traffic area.It has been that was for about 3 years the stand is very stong and the tank had foam between it and the stand so i thought it was ok.Could my tank being there and the movement over time made this happen?Oh and the tank broke from the bottom conner on the side where you would walk next to it(where it moved the most) to the top.
Thanks for any help i need to set another tank back up my fish are in a large rubbermaid right now.

Tony

 

[turretdr]

It very well could be because of the movement in the floor. The tank walls, bottom and especially corners have tons of stress on them with the pressure form the water. When another factor is added, such as a movement in the tank, it only adds additional stress. If possible install some more support to the floor to help alleviate the movement in the area before setting up a new tank.

 

[Dragon68]

Yes i have another spot picked out where there is not alot of traffic and i will support under the house!! Thinks lots for the info!
I guess we live and learn just another hard lessen in life

 

[santi]

Dragon68, that's a great attitude you have towards the situation! Now you got a perfect excuse for a bigger tank! Good luck

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

That should have been a concern the minute you noticed that. every time you walked around it in essence you were twisting and bending the tank stressing the weak points of your tank, and it was only a matter of time before something like that would happen.
Where you able to save what was inside the tank?

 

[spleify]

Was this glass or acrylic?If it was glass did it have a top and bottom plastic trim on it? If so, most manufacturers suggest against using foam under the tank and have it set directly on th ewood, so it won't flex. If not then just disregard.

Goo luck with the rebuild.

 

[Dragon68]

Yes looking back it is my mistake but i can only learn for it.Yes i did save everything and they are all in a large rubbermaid container with a filter and heater for now.The tank was glass and does have the trim.My brother has the same tank and is tired if it so i have my replacement weeee.I will set it on the wood without the foam this time.THANKS lots for all the info,you guys are really helpful!!!!!!!!

Tony

 

[Fazulka]

Ooff, that sucks. My tank just broke as well. It made a huge mess and ruined some of the ceiling tiles in the apartment below me. Mine was not on a surface that moved, but was broken by acrylic in the tank! I had built in a refugium and sump, and there was a peice of 1/4" acrylice that ran the lenth of the tank. Acrylic can expand in water (I know that now), and the expansion cracked the glass. Good luck!!!

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Wow, .... another tank already in the waiting. talk about a silver lining

 

[Dragon68]

Some of the best lessens learned are mistakes we make.
Good luck with the rebuild!!!

Tony

 

[Dragon68]

yes he got it because he liked mine then he seen the work that went in to it and got tired of it.It is something you have to really enjoy not just something you get so you can say hey i have this.
Yes lots to say i am lucky. I was home and wife was here to help when it happen.Also saved all the livestock and got most of the water out before it got too bad.

Tony

 

[Dragon68]

Ok not to second guess anyone but to make sure i understand right.I have a glass tank with trim on top and bottom.So i set it up directly on the wood stand and do not use foam right?

Thanks lots
Tony

 

[slider162]

I'm fairly certain that the foam isn't the issue. The tank should not move when you walk by regardless if it is sitting on foam or not.

 

[James79]

You also want to check your stand for square. Sitting on the uneven floor will slowly warp the stand. It may need to be renailed or tightened up with screws. Level the new setup with shims under the stand.

 

[graham82]

I have a 29 gallon in my apartment that doesn't really move but the water ripples on the top when you walk by it. Is this something I should be concerned about? Damn now I'm worried...

 

[wab]

If you can get under neath and put shimms between the floor joists and the sub floor that will take out the play in the floor.