Wavebox and stress on tank seams

[Lutefisk]

I'm a convert to the Streams and creating more converts as people see my reef.

I'm interested in the Wavebox but I'm also concerned about the possibility that 3/4" of water sloshing back and forth will cause a premature failure of the seams/joints on my aquarium (especially since it is about five years old).

Does anyone have any experience or input?

Thanks,
Paul

 

[rvitko]

It is actually listed in the manual that this can and will happen. The manual gives a link to a Saint Gobain website (Glass manufacturer that makes the windshields and glass for most German cars) this website explains Timishenko's formula for structural integrity of seams. In general an aquarium constructed within this standard which is the DIN standard will lose about 10% of it's life which is on average 20 years. So 20 is reduced to 18. American aquarium construction has no standard so they vary widely, I would expect the same could be expected of a premium US brand like Oceanic, provided it is on a proper support stand.

 

[Fursphere]

What about acrylic tanks?

 

[rvitko]

I would think Acrylic would be immune since it has no silicon seems to flex and is theoretically one solid piece of material, I don't have a definite answer though.

 

[ediaz]

Any way to avoid this?

Reinforcing the tank?

Edgar

 

[rvitko]

According to the manual the best is a tank built within the guidelines of Timoshenko's formula, which just specifies the adhesion strength of various panes for the load. Otherwise the satnd needs to be level and strong. I still think it is safe to assume some loss of tank life but I don't think this is a real concern as hardly anyone keeps an aquarium more than 10 years, usually by then they move or upgrade and a new aquarium is purchased.

www.saint-gobain-glass.com/fr/b1012.htm