Ever wonder what happens if a big 200plus tank blows

[gobytron]

Originally Posted by sphelps

An interesting math/science problem for young students would be to prove an unlevel tank would actually apply less pressure to the vertical panes of glass regardless of the angle. The highest pressure on vertical panes occurs when the tank is level, so aside from the obvious this type of failure mode can't be caused by an unlevel stand/floor.

Tank builders should consider offering an option to hydrotest large custom tanks to at least 1.5x design. It's a simple test that would add significant value by virtually ensuring the tank is free of defects capable of causing premature failures like this. For example I know my tank sitting a 1/3 full will never break as it was tested to 3x that. Personally I'll never setup a large tank again without similar assurance.

You mean by sealing and pressurizing it?

That would sure give some peace of mind and you could market the heck out of that...

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by gobytron

You mean by sealing and pressurizing it?

That would sure give some peace of mind and you could market the heck out of that...

Yes you could fill the tank with water and pressurize it some how, in most cases it would only require 1 psi or less of additional pressure. A simpler approach would be to just use a fluid with a density 1.5x that of seawater. With a large storage tank and pump you could reuse the fluid indefinitely.

[gobytron]

pardon my ignorance, could you also blast each pane with a pre determined PSI as well?

I would think you could easily call your tanks the safest glass on the market if you did have some kind of testing process...

And we all know aquarists, for the most part, love reasons to spend more money on better tings.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by gobytron

pardon my ignorance, could you also blast each pane with a pre determined PSI as well?

I would think you could easily call your tanks the safest glass on the market if you did have some kind of testing process...

And we all know aquarists, for the most part, love reasons to spend more money on better tings.

I wouldn't see any point in that as failure typically only occurs as a result of defects in the seams during tank assembly. Glass is glass for the most part and failures don't occur from defective glass unless it was chipped during cutting or assembly but that would also be captured from a standard hydrotest.

[gobytron]

but wouldn't blasting the glass put pressure on the seams?

meaning blasting the assembled tank, from the inside, with a predetermined PSI?

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by gobytron

but wouldn't blasting the glass put pressure on the seams?

meaning blasting the assembled tank, from the inside, with a predetermined PSI?

If you pressurized the whole assembled tank then yes but pressurizing with air alone would not be advisable. Water or fluid is used because it's incompressible, if a leak forms during testing it basically just leaks while using air or gas will expand and potentially cause more damage if a leak forms. Basically without fluid you could be building a bomb which is not something you want in your shop. Also this test wouldn't be something you would do on normal or average tanks, really just large/specialty custom tanks that would have a large investment behind them. The cost of doing such a test would be high as the builder would probably spend more on producing a stronger tank to ensure it passes a hydrotest. For example spending more time on sealing (stages), machining all edges including non- exposed and/or using thicker glass.