how much pressure before it goes boom

[woodstock '69]

Anybody have one come apart. I'm sure you would remember!!

I have an oceanic glass 50g tank of odd dimensions. It is 30 x 18.5 x 21 with no top brace. It bows out about 3/8" in the center (or if you prefer about 3/16" in the front and 3/16" in the back).

First - any danger ahead? Like a divorce? (you know- from the mess)

Second, how about your tank. How much does it bow in the center.

 

[mhurley]

Did it used to have a brace and no longer does?
Did it every have a cross brace?

 

[ReefEze]

How long have you had the tank?

I would think that the tank would leak before it would explode. At least, IME that has been the case

 

[raddogz]

I agree the sides normally start to tear away from each other causing leakage before it explodes.

 

[2farNorth]

Glass will bow...especially on the smaller tanks... I have a 55 that the wife bought at Walmart years back.. (thinner glass then the normal 55) that bowed like crazy.. never leaked... ever look at a 10 gallon? They really bow... I wouldn't worry about it... It seems like the thicker glass doesn't bow as much... like my 6' 150g, I don't see it bowing at all... Have faith in the glass... it's not as fragile as you think!!

 

[woodstock '69]

Thanks for the replies.

You all seem to be on the same page. The cool thing is I just bought another tank exactly the same - well almost ...... this one has a new magical ingredient called .... wait let me read the sticker on the tank .......its an "Oceanic 50 SuperBright" and cost $100 more than the one from last year!

I can measure before filling, (there is no bow now) and after filled and after a year. If I can remember I will resurrect this post for comparison.

Hey Mike - this tank never had a brace and in fact the current oceanic line this size and even the 58g (36 x 18.5 x 20) don't have a brace.....I will say in their defense that they are using what looks to be 5/16" or 3/8" thick glass.

Michael

 

[scaryperson27]

Are you going to drill or anything?