Tank not completely supported?

ReefNole

ReefNole

New member
I've been following the recent, and unfortunate "Tank just exploded" thread in this forum, and one of the OP's notes stood out to me:

"The tank failed at the back corner, where there is no support to keep it in. I honestly didn't think much about it until right now and then I did some investigating. So stupid for me to not even consider that."

After reading that, I realized my 29g is also not supported on the corners. Like a noob, I bought a stand for $10 on CL, and after getting it home, realized it was 4" too short. And thinking nothing of it, I assumed since the tank would be supported along the front and back edges of the base, it would be no harm in hanging off a measly 2" on each side. Given the other thread, am I following in her footsteps with mine?

Exact details are:
Standard 29g AGA
Base footprint: 12.5" x 30"
Total base perimeter: 83"
Base perimeter supported by stand: 52"
Base hanging over side of stand: 31"

And like I said, the portions hanging off are 2" of the front/back pane and the entirety of the 12.5" sides, so when looking at it, only a sliver on each side, but none of the corners are actually supported. They are all offset by 2".

Thanks in advance!!
 
If I'm not mistaken, which I probably am, her tank was like 100G, no? A lot more weight and pressure.

If it were me, I would get it supported. Being only 30G it might be fine, but why risk it?
 
Yeah those were my thoughts exactly. I know hers was larger, but seeing that it was a cookie cutter example of my situation, I felt silly not asking. If it needs to be supported, would just a 30x 12.5 sheet of plywood suffice? That way the weight from the parts hanging off would just be added to what is being supported by the stand?

Thanks again
 
As long as its like 3/4 ply so its actually supporting it and not just flexing under the weight. I've read on here of people doing just that. With thick enough plywood it will spread out the weight across the entire surface and support those unsupported corners.
 
I think a lot of tank failures are due to faulty stands or stands not shimmed properly.
Your issue could merely need a shim at that corner.
Trimmed tanks need support at 4 corners, rimless or trimless much more critical to have entire bottom support.
 
Read the same thread. My thoughts were the tank failed due to improper support whether it was not supported at all or just not shimmed correctly.
If it is the thread I'm thinking of the OP is now going to tackle a 210, I certainly hope he/she gets it set-up correctly. There is a lot of pressure involved with that large of a tank and proper install is of the highest importance. Does not matter how strongly the tank is constructed, if not properly set-up it is going to fail.

As with the others here I agree. Although a 29 is small in comparison I would get it supported as well.
 
A sea K said:
If it is the thread I'm thinking of the OP is now going to tackle a 210, I certainly hope he/she gets it set-up correctly..
Click to expand...

I'm sure it is the same, and not just a 210, but a 210 that they plan to cut away surface silicone and reseal just on top of seams.
This is not a good idea either
 
I feel like I should answer to this. I did not explain correctly how the seam failed. This was not a regular rectangular tank. It was a flat back hex tank and it was 69 gallons. After taking a closer look at it once I got it taken down completely, it appears that some kind of supportive measure was removed from the top part of the glass all along the back. Therefore, there was nothing that was holding the back glass in from the top( like the plastic seams in most tanks). The stand was one that came with it. It was completely level. This was not a stand that I built, it was the stand that came with the tank when it was manufactured. As far as sealing the new tank that I am getting, I told the guy to not touch the silicone on it until I got a good look at it. And if we are going to reseal it, then I will do it the right now. So everyone can stop with the condescending comments please. I am the one who just had to clean up 70 gallons of water by myself, at midnight, with absolutely no help. And I will be setting it up correctly to assure that this type of thing never happens again.
 
OK apologies to Martini on this thread taking a sour turn. I simply found myself in her exact situation (4 corners unsupported), and wanted to protectively make sure I avoid the situation if possible.

Returning to my situation, I will plan to put 3/4" plywood under my entire base. For what it is worth, my stand is completely shimmed to 100% level. Hopefully the plywood won't throw that off.
 
I don't think my comment was condescending or I did not mean it to be, just trying to help keep others from having similar failures by just pointing out common failure issues.
I don't think anyone here enjoys seeing tank failure posts, I think most of us are on here to help each other be successful.
Your post is what sparked OP obviously.
We all learn from sharing experiences, good and bad.
 
BTW, many of us have had to deal w/ some type of failure at some point if you've been around long enough.
I speak from experience.
Believe me, no one wants to see this kind of grumpy face!

 
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I might just be sensitive about it right now and took the comments the wrong way. To the op, I am glad that you have decided to ensure that your tank is properly supported as to try and prevent the same kind of tragedy happening to you.
 
Martini5788 said:
I might just be sensitive about it right now and took the comments the wrong way. To the op, I am glad that you have decided to ensure that your tank is properly supported as to try and prevent the same kind of tragedy happening to you.
Click to expand...

I understand why this thread upset you and obviously it wasn't the OP's fault. Good luck with the new tank. It will be great!
 
Every rimmed tank manufacturer says in their warranty (the ones I've read at least) that the tank must be properly supported along all four sides. Anything less than that and you risk tank failure. Doesn't mean it WILL fail, but it's a risk. BTW, not sure the safety factor is necessarily greater in a smaller tank since they use thinner glass. Makes less of a mess of course.
 
To the OP, I would suggest using two layers (glued together) of 3/4" plywood between the stand and the tank. Not that one is not good enough, but overkill is better than under I'd say.

To Martini, again, sorry for your misfortune. It sucks and I hope you never go through it again. As for the new tank, I'd pass if it already has issues.
 
Shawn O said:
To the OP, I would suggest using two layers (glued together) of 3/4" plywood between the stand and the tank. Not that one is not good enough, but overkill is better than under I'd say.

To Martini, again, sorry for your misfortune. It sucks and I hope you never go through it again. As for the new tank, I'd pass if it already has issues.
Click to expand...

I Agree on do not buy a leaky tank that has been partially resealed . The only way to truly reseal a tank is to take it totally apart clean it very well and reseal the whole tank. Two reasons.
1- There are different chemicals in different brands of silicone
The new silicone may not be compatible with what it was originally sealed with
2- New Silicone does not stick to Very old Silicone well even if same type. they can be pulled apart.
i will add also if the seal has came loose at once place it could be others as well..
Sorry to hear about the tank leaks. One of my Biggest fears is to be gone and come home to that loss of everything in my tank and ruined 85 year old Hard wood Floors .
 
The silicone is fine on the new tank, no leaks or anything. He just said that it isn't aesthetically pleasing. I will take a close look next week when it gets taken out of his storage and then decide about resealing
 
Ah, I see. If it looks like the original seal and holds water, I guess it should be good. You're in less of a risky situation than me, though. I have concrete floors with tile but I'm on the fourth floor.
 
Oh jeez yeah that is scary. We are in base housing, so the floor is cement with fake vinyl wood on top. I would be careful with that though
 
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