Flexing Glass tank

[Damo]

I just put my new 40g tank through a test run for the first time after building the sump and over flow. Overflows working okay, and no leaks so far.
Then I noticed that the back and the front glass panels were flexing alot in the middle.
I did remove the back glass panel (all 5mm) to get holes drilled for the overflow.
Can anyone help me or know the reasons why this may be happening. The only reason I can thing of, Is that I didn't silicon the back glass panel on correctly , I did removed ths straight glass trim from the top back and front as I thought that it was used to hold the lid's.

If anyone knows glass, your feedback would great

Damo

[Rob]

i am not an expert here, but i know that the black "trim" does also help overall support of the tank.
witha 40 gallon tank, i wouldnt think that it would be large enough to have flexing issues..

i woudl make sure you get this fixed though, glass tanks shouldn't flex. acrylic can handle some flex, but glas cannot. you may be close to it breaking.

again, im not an expert on this, so i would see if anyone else here knows, or check with another group.

sorry i couldn't be more helpfull

[Damo]

Thanks for the feedback. Looks like it's back to the drawing board for me.
Im thinking about acrylic this time lighter and stronger.

Cheers

Damo

[Rob]

yes, acrylic would be better to work with.
however, i shuld note, that unless you are very familiar with acrylic and stuff, you might want to have someone do it. i have heard horror stores from people trying DIY tanks, and one small mistake cost them everything. if you are looking for a 40/50 gallon sized tank, i would just recommend getting a new one, there not that expensive, and if you can add an overflow box, for relativily low cost. this is how mine are set up, adn they work well.

i am not against DIY, but when its comes to the tank it self, you relly need to get it done right the first time, with no mistakes. i have dont a bit of work with acrylic and it can be difficlut to get perfect seams.

best of luck to ya, let me know if i can provide any further insight.

[Damo]

Hi Rob

Well it turns out my stupidity played a big part in the tank glass flexing. Which Im sure we both had a good idea would be the cause.
As I mentioned I removed the straight glass trims that sit inside the tank at the top, on the front and back panels. I thought they were used to support the glass lids if need...wrong
I replaced the straight glass trims to the top front and back and filled the tank issues solved.
They support the glass panles and keep the glass straight adding extra strenght at the top. I had no support so all the water volume was concentrated in that area causing the glass to flex.

Thanks for your help and keep up the good work with the podcast. I’m looking fwd to the next installment.

Damo

[Rob]

great to hear you got it. i knew that trim was more than trim..

best of luck to you, please make sure you post some pictures in the gallery, i would like to see it when you get it all done..