Tanks that don't leak

[tony_caliente]

I know there is no such thing, bit with all of the talk of leaking tanks, I wonder what the best material or means of construction to minimize the change of leaks. I do know that water changes do cause silicone seals to expand and contract (expand on refills and contract when emptying). What do you think?

 

[hnguyen]

That theory sounds like it could be true but I wouldn't be able to tell you that. I can say however, If you get a well made acrylic thank then you wouldn't have to worry about silicone failure and leaks. An acrylic tank if built properly will last you a life time. Just have to be very careful with it so not to scratch it.

 

[gnashty]

Yeah, most acrylics dont have any seams I think - so that is your best bet. not saying they cant leak though... scratches are no worries since they can be fixed on acrylic. Its the hazing or yellowing that ive heard of that I would be worried about

 

[hnguyen]

gnashty;617183 wrote: Yeah, most acrylics dont have any seams I think - so that is your best bet. not saying they cant leak though... scratches are no worries since they can be fixed on acrylic. Its the hazing or yellowing that ive heard of that I would be worried about

I believe there's a buffer out there that puts like a UV protection coat over the acrylic to help prevent that. Just gotta apply every 6 months or so. Or depending on how much you clean your tank. After having my 150g glass tank blow out on me. I went with acrylic and never looked back.

 

[grouper therapy]

I can assure you acrylic tanks blow out as well!

 

[hnguyen]

grouper therapy;617194 wrote: I can assure you acrylic tanks blow out as well!

I never said anything about not blowing, Just leaking.

 

[gnashty]

grouper therapy;617194 wrote: I can assure you acrylic tanks blow out as well!

yeah, ive heard when they go its a little more dramatic than a simple silicone corner seal leak...lol

 

[jennm]

Yeah when acrylic decides to fail, there's pretty much no warning.

At least most times with glass if it's a seam, you have a window of opportunity to take pre-emptive action.

Jenn

 

[hnguyen]

JennM;617206 wrote: Yeah when acrylic decides to fail, there's pretty much no warning.

At least most times with glass if it's a seam, you have a window of opportunity to take pre-emptive action.

Jenn

Hmmmm.... That makes me wonder what will happen if the acrylic at the Georgia Aquarium decides to fail...

 

[jennm]

The first week they opened in 2005 I was there (Thanksgiving Day). There was a dribble around the seams in Tropical Diver. I had the same thought. I'd say that's a bit different when the stuff is 2 feet thick.

I have seen some catastrophic failures in acrylic tanks though, and it never ends well.

Jenn

 

[hnguyen]

JennM;617224 wrote: The first week they opened in 2005 I was there (Thanksgiving Day). There was a dribble around the seams in Tropical Diver. I had the same thought. I'd say that's a bit different when the stuff is 2 feet thick.

I have seen some catastrophic failures in acrylic tanks though, and it never ends well.

Jenn

I agree with you Jenn on how acrylic will just blow out of the blue, but I still prefer acrylic over glass I guess due to my bad experience with glass tank.

As for the Georgia Aquarium. If it ever does blow, just think of the damages. All that water and yes the 2 foot thick acrylic itself. Having that thing blow out and hit something. It's strong enough to send a tank flying.

 

[gnashty]

Hnguyen;617229 wrote: I agree with you Jenn on how acrylic will just blow out of the blue, but I still prefer acrylic over glass I guess due to my bad experience with glass tank.

As for the Georgia Aquarium. If it ever does blow, just think of the damages. All that water and yes the 2 foot thick acrylic itself. Having that thing blow out and hit something. It's strong enough to send a tank flying.

lol, that would be the last of my concern - I would be dodging the whale sharks and other fish large enough to crush me flat in 2 seconds..

I bet they have tons of pressure sensors so they know well before any type of crack could occur. They spent all that money to build it, im sure there are tons of safeguards in place to protect it....I could be wrong though,

 

[fish scales2]

Acrylic tanks have seams as well.

gnashty;617183 wrote: Yeah, most acrylics dont have any seams I think - so that is your best bet. not saying they cant leak though... scratches are no worries since they can be fixed on acrylic. Its the hazing or yellowing that ive heard of that I would be worried about

Also the expansion and contraction due to water changes has nothing to do with seals breaking. The fact that silicone is being placed under saltwater is one of the major reasons for failure. Saltwater as we know is extremely caustic and causes silicone to dry out and become somewhat brittle over many years.

99% of used tank failures are due to the fact that they were setup on a stand with x amount of twist and the tank in essence cures out with it in that state. Once moved it is often times placed on a sub-floor with a bit of a different twist which usually within a few months it pops.

On new tanks it is my opinion that failures come from the way it was built. After taking apart several that have failed I am BLOWN AWAY that we do not see many many more failures.
Deep blue tanks are FRIGHTINING, maybe that is why they are so inexpensive. There are blowouts happening everywhere on tanks that are less than 6 months old.
Ocea (out of business now) only attaches there glass at vertical seams and rely on a small bead inside and around the plastic frame to hold side panels to bottom pane.

 

[gnashty]

Fish Scales2;617332 wrote: Acrylic tanks have seams as well.

I stand corrected, I wasnt sure...

 

[lilrobb]

Fish Scales2;617332 wrote:
Ocea (out of business now) only attaches there glass at vertical seams and rely on a small bead inside and around the plastic frame to hold side panels to bottom pane.

Umm,
Not out of business - got a quote from them today...
(Where is your quote, Chris? LOL)

 

[thbrewst]

Is Ocea the same as Oceanic? If so, I thought their tanks were considered good quality. I ask because I own one...

 

[lilrobb]

Ocea is NOT Oceanic...

 

[fish scales2]

WOW, good!!!

LilRobb;617342 wrote: Umm,
Not out of business - got a quote from them today...
(Where is your quote, Chris? LOL)

I have been researching hybrid tanks for a while, your quotes are coming.

 

[fish scales2]

thbrewst;617352 wrote: Is Ocea the same as Oceanic? If so, I thought their tanks were considered good quality. I ask because I own one...

I also own an Oceanic tank, it is 12 years old and in my opinion they are one of the best constructed tanks that I have worked with excluding my own.

 

[gmpolan]

Gotta disagree with you chris as you know both of my oceanics failed....EPIC FAIL!!!