Cracked Aquarium

[rrrrob]

I had a 60 gal FO tank that suddenly cracked with a half-moon shaped crack on the front glass pane. Doing some research, I see other people have a very similar faillure mode.

Does the shape of the crack tell us anything about the cause of this failure?

the tank is very tall, so I am wondering if it is a poor design (too tall?), or maybe something else like uneven floors or a bad stand, etc.

Any thoughts? I have posted pictures of the same tank from different hobbyists showing the same type of failure.

Is this is a common failure mode for any tank design?

(the first two tank pics is my own aquarium).

Unfortunately, this is the end of the hobby for me after 35 years or so...my significant other has tanks so that will do for me. My freshwater tanks have dwindled and died off, and now this disaster with my saltwater tank is probably the final straw. It's been a good run, though.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Wow, I've never seen that! My deduction would be that each tank was built with glass that was not thick enough to support the weight of the water in tanks that tall. From what I recall, glass thickness is determined by the height of the tank, so it would appear that the manufacturers cut corners to reduce cost.

Sorry this happened to you. To help others avoid this scenario, please post the dimensions of your tank and the glass thickness. Tank brand could be helpful as well.

 

[lowtek]

Wow. Sorry that happened to you. Who is the manufacturer for your tank? I'll make sure I spread the word to avoid them. Tall tanks need some kind of compensation for anything past 20" tall from what my builder told me.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

 

[rrrrob]

Marineland tank

Marineland tank

They still sell it.

 

[ROlympia]

I had a 54, I believe, gallon that I was scared to death would bust with sand and live rock in it. Glass was too thin.

 

[tom obrecht]

Could be a number of things, improper glass thickness certainly being one. Hard to tell but if this is a common tank made commercially with plastic molding it could be small defects in the molding causing a stress spot that once under pressure causes a point of failure. Might also be improper glass finishing on the pane edges causing weak points. Might also be a small flaw in the glass covered by silicone when the tank was constructed and in time and pressure caused failure. Glass is funny stuff. It can sit for some time ready to fail and under the right conditions just give way.

 

[rrrrob]

Looking at the product reviews for this tank on the Petsmart website, I see another buyer had the same problem just a month ago (in addition to several others over the years including me!)...definitely seems to be a design flaw...same failure mode as mine.

 

[Tullsterx]

That glass does look a little this. How thick is it?

I have a tall tank as well. . . I'm not sure how thick my glass is. I'll have to measure tonight. . . my glass thickness that is.

 

[Tullsterx]

That glass does look a little this. How thick is it?

I have a tall tank as well. . . I'm not sure how thick my glass is. I'll have to measure tonight. . . my glass thickness that is.

Thin. . . looks a little thin.

 

[rrrrob]

no idea on the glass thickness and the tank is long-gone.