|
04/13/2019, 01:45 PM | #1 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 192
|
Is my tank safe to fill?
Hi everyone. I've had quite the dilemma on my hands for the past few weeks. Long story short, my 150 gallon rimless tank seems to not be square on the bottom, causing a gap in two corners and along the front pane to the center. I am 100% certain that the stand is square and level. Because of this problem, I can see through the bottom panel that the weight of the bottom panel is not being evenly distributed to the foam beneath the tank. It appears slightly raised near the 2 higher corners, while the yoga mat under the tank is basically smashed down under the lower corners and bottom panel surrounding it. The manufacturer says that this is fine, and that the tank is still under warranty, but I'm still unsure of how I feel. Am I ok to fill this tank or do I have to scrap it? https://photos.app.goo.gl/iyT9MYq29Q8TQZPi7
I appreciate any help greatly! |
04/13/2019, 04:53 PM | #2 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Alabama
Posts: 2,912
|
The board under the mat looks bowed.
It should flatten with water weight.
__________________
OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt |
04/13/2019, 06:46 PM | #3 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 192
|
It's not, it's screwed down to the stand and perfectly flat, I made sure before the tank went on the stand. Hence why I'm concerned.
|
04/13/2019, 08:17 PM | #4 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Central NC
Posts: 5,062
|
Curious - is it a Red Sea? I ask because someone else ran into this problem. You'll have to ask him what the eventual outcome was, but at least in his case, it appears the tank itself was bowed.
You'll need a straightedge and a couple of friends to check, as you'll have to take the tank off of the stand, flip it over, and check the bottom for flatness. If it's flat, then there may be an issue with your stand, which should be fairly easy to rectify. If it's the tank, don't fill it - send it back to the vendor. |
04/14/2019, 11:58 AM | #5 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 192
|
How do I safely flip a tank this size with plumbing glued into the back of the tank? (Unions 2' from bulkhead so good amount of pipe will still be there)
It really sucks to go through this because I know it isn't the stand, and I can tell on one side of the tank that the side panels are not square, so I know it's the tank, just can't tell if the bottom panel is flat on the bottom, however I can tell the foam is compressed a lot more under 2 corners, and hardly touching the foam on the other 2. By the way a level on the bottom panel inside the tank shows perfectly level and flat, but not sure if a level would pick up such a small discrepancy or if the bottom of the panel is flat. Tank is an SCA and they will not be replacing it. They are basically telling me whatever I want to hear and told me my warranty is good for 5 years. But they don't replace my house if the thing cracks. Just trying to err on the side of caution here and get an informed decision, as I really have no idea if it's safe or not. |
04/14/2019, 03:58 PM | #6 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Reseda, Ca.
Posts: 1,717
|
So you're saying you are convinced that the tank is not square/twisted ….SCA agrees with you and still wont do anything about it ??
__________________
Please don't feed the bears because the bears will become dependent on free handouts and forget how to take care of themselves …... Current Tank Info: 75 Gal. Mixed reef mostly sps |
04/15/2019, 01:33 PM | #7 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 192
|
Well, basically, yes. Specifically I asked if it was safe (attached many detailed photos). His response was that the factory said it looked ok and that it was normal, then extended my warranty.
|
04/15/2019, 04:55 PM | #8 | |
My reef tanks my wallet
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Portland
Posts: 571
|
Quote:
If the tank is truly not square, and you can get a new one, I would. The cost of the tank (and value of the warranty) is peanuts compared to the livestock and damage to your home.
__________________
300g custom acrylic from James 72x36x27, 4 Mitras Lx7 &6 a360, 2 Stream 3s, C2C beananimal. 100g sump, Jebao DCP- 8000 (Vectra M1 died) -> 114w aquauv -> SRO 5000ext , varios8 return Current Tank Info: Me v Dinos - I'm winning for now... |
|
04/15/2019, 08:09 PM | #9 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 192
|
Quote:
If I could get a new tank easily I definitely would have at this point. |
|
04/15/2019, 08:30 PM | #10 |
My reef tanks my wallet
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Portland
Posts: 571
|
To clarify my comment I meant if you can get a new one under warranty I would. just looking at your picture I would not buy a new one as it's probably fine.
Sent using Tapatalk
__________________
300g custom acrylic from James 72x36x27, 4 Mitras Lx7 &6 a360, 2 Stream 3s, C2C beananimal. 100g sump, Jebao DCP- 8000 (Vectra M1 died) -> 114w aquauv -> SRO 5000ext , varios8 return Current Tank Info: Me v Dinos - I'm winning for now... |
04/22/2019, 04:58 PM | #11 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 192
|
I'm really hoping this isn't an issue, I'm torn whether to fill it up or scrap it. Anyone else have any input? Seems like the front right corner is 1/16" higher than the back right.
|
04/23/2019, 08:19 PM | #12 |
Registered Member.
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 263
|
Id wedge a thin peice of steel sheet metal under both corners of the plywood and fill it up.. They sell really thin steel at lowes.. you can cut with sheers
|
04/23/2019, 09:09 PM | #13 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: North Dakota
Posts: 118
|
I had same issue with my 125. I used composit shims between stand and plywood. Tank has been in use like this for 10 years with no issues.
|
04/24/2019, 12:09 AM | #14 |
Registered Member.
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 263
|
Is yours rimless tjough
|
04/24/2019, 01:17 PM | #15 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 192
|
Yes it is rimless. The bottom panel is partially floating. I recently found a thread where a red sea reefer had the same problem and sure enough the bottom of the tank curved up towards the ends. Not even sure how this is possible but it looks to be my problem as well. Just need some help getting it off the stand so I can confirm with a straight edge on the bottom of the tank. Doesn't seem like SCA plans on replacing it however.
|
04/24/2019, 08:38 PM | #16 |
Registered Member.
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 263
|
No i ment to nodak who said he filled his with a gap.. a gap in a rimmed tabk is fine well sorta but yea.
Id honestly shim the corners that are in the air under the plywood of course and fill it up.. but thats just me I hate acrylic and rimless tanks for this reason.. |
|
|