So I filled my 75gal acrylic up to make sure there were no leaks and there are none but it bulges out a lot IMO is this normal?
I'm no acrylic expert but I believe some bow is expected. That looks like a large amount though. How far out is it? Any bracing?
If i put the level in the center and get the buble between the lines it mesures 3/8" Im not sure what you mean by bracing.
Some type of frame around it or Euro bracing. In some of the pics it looks like it has Euro bracing. Either type is generally used to prevent bowing. 3/8" seems excessive. Have you contacted the Mfg about it? I would if you haven't.
There is a piece of 3/8" acrylic on the top of the tank that has 2 main access holes and 1 for the overflow so there is a 3" border around the edges an in the center there is a 10" that transfers to 13" center "brace". I bought the tank used so getting ahold of the MFG might be difficult
Tank has been drained!
Why? Is this a new or used tank? Deflection is normal. The taller the display, the thicker the material must be. Bulging happens on acrylic tanks, especially the dead center point is that is the area that has the most area to bow.
Hi Melev I was really hopeing you would chime in!! It was drained because it started out as a test to see for leaks in tank and overflow and it passed. I was concerned about the amount of bulge (this is my first acrylic tank) It was filled with just water no salt and I'm a bit from getting my cycle going. In your opinion is this a normal amount of bowing or should I look for a new tank? It is a used tank I have no idea how long it was used tho.
Glad Marc chimed in too! I'd like to know if that is a normal amount or not as well.
3/8" deflection is normal, and I've seen worse. I say worse because it would bug the crap out of me, visually speaking. This is yet another reason why I don't have an acrylic display tank, something people ask me often.
Well than ... (wipes sweat from brow) If I'm good to go tank moves forward but i don't like it so a starphire front pane tank is in the planning stages.
when i got my use 55 gallon i freaked out with the bowing as well, mine bows approximately 1/4" or so. I let it sit for a few days just to be safe and have had it up as a freshwater with no issues for about 3 months