Is this Safe? Tank Edge Overhang

[shimps1]

Brand new Reef Casa Studio 12, and the matching stand from them as well, designed for the tank.

When lined up with the back corners, the tank hangs off the front edge of the stand about 1/4", where the door is when it closes. The door not supporting the tank, and wouldn't be able to open if it was.

Am I overreacting, or is this a ticking time bomb? I searched a bit for photos, and it looks like this is the design intent, as their own videos show this overhang.

It's only a 12 gallon tank, so there's not much pressure, but it still makes me nervous.

 

[EagleEye121]

My 4ft waterbox is designed the same way. I was worried initially too but WB reassured me this was intentional. No issues in over 4 years. You can sleep easy!

 

[Sam7]

nope...imo i wouldn't

 

[shimps1]

My 4ft waterbox is designed the same way. I was worried initially too but WB reassured me this was intentional. No issues in over 4 years. You can sleep easy!

That's good to hear. If a 4 foot tank is similar, a 16" tank is probably ok.

 

[Sam7]

My 4ft waterbox is designed the same way. I was worried initially too but WB reassured me this was intentional. No issues in over 4 years. You can sleep easy!

seems like a poor enginering price shortcut

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

seems like a poor enginering price shortcut

TLDR - The front pane not being reinforced makes no difference at all in 95% of aquarium design. The Silicone/Glass bond and understanding mechanical loading in that regard is what is extremely important. The ONLY time you probably need to reinforce the front pane is when the glass itself weighs enough to create enough shear that the silicone can fail in the Z axis.

My Technical 2c -

Hydrostatic loading is horizontal and increases the deeper you go. The amount of vertical loading in your tank is very minimal along the Z axis as it's relatively shallow. The amount of horizontal (X) and (Y) loading will absolutely increase as you create bigger enclosures and the panes get bigger. Bigger panes = bigger seams = thicker silicone. The only reason why eurobraces are needed is to reinforce the upper portion of the enclosure to prevent a moment arm forming that will overcome the mechanical strength of the silicone. The safety factor for aquariums should be enough that no matter the (X) and (Y) loading as you go deeper in the (Z) axis, the silicone will hold and the seams will never fail for the amount of liquid you are putting in the tank.

 

[1ocean]

nope not in my house..looks like they made the cabinet to short and trying to sell you a story...
. I would cut plywood and put it under the entire bottom of the tank...
Paint the plywood edge white...

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

Here is a good technical explanation to better help understand how aquariums are designed:

 

[shimps1]

TLDR - The front pane not being reinforced makes no difference at all in 95% of aquarium design. The Silicone/Glass bond and understanding mechanical loading in that regard is what is extremely important. The ONLY time you probably need to reinforce the front pane is when the glass itself weighs enough to create enough shear that the silicone can fail in the Z axis.

My Technical 2c -

Hydrostatic loading is horizontal and increases the deeper you go. The amount of vertical loading in your tank is very minimal along the Z axis as it's relatively shallow. The amount of horizontal (X) and (Y) loading will absolutely increase as you create bigger enclosures and the panes get bigger. Bigger panes = bigger seams = thicker silicone. The only reason why eurobraces are needed is to reinforce the upper portion of the enclosure to prevent a moment arm forming that will overcome the mechanical strength of the silicone. The safety factor for aquariums should be enough that no matter the (X) and (Y) loading as you go deeper in the (Z) axis, the silicone will hold and the seams will never fail for the amount of liquid you are putting in the tank.

Translating to English.... I believe you're saying it's safe, correct?

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

Translating to English.... I believe you're saying it's safe, correct?

Yes it was designed that way. No reason to freak out or be concerned. Level the tank exactly horizontal and enjoy your tank.

 

[KrisReef]

Yes it was designed that way. No reason to freak out or be concerned. Level the tank exactly horizontal and enjoy your tank.

What about an instance of a foreign object accelerating into the edge(s) of the glass. Isn't that bare edge just the perfect location to develop a chip or fracture that can rapidly expand under pressure?

 

[Sam7]

TLDR - The front pane not being reinforced makes no difference at all in 95% of aquarium design. The Silicone/Glass bond and understanding mechanical loading in that regard is what is extremely important. The ONLY time you probably need to reinforce the front pane is when the glass itself weighs enough to create enough shear that the silicone can fail in the Z axis.

My Technical 2c -

Hydrostatic loading is horizontal and increases the deeper you go. The amount of vertical loading in your tank is very minimal along the Z axis as it's relatively shallow. The amount of horizontal (X) and (Y) loading will absolutely increase as you create bigger enclosures and the panes get bigger. Bigger panes = bigger seams = thicker silicone. The only reason why eurobraces are needed is to reinforce the upper portion of the enclosure to prevent a moment arm forming that will overcome the mechanical strength of the silicone. The safety factor for aquariums should be enough that no matter the (X) and (Y) loading as you go deeper in the (Z) axis, the silicone will hold and the seams will never fail for the amount of liquid you are putting in the t

What about an instance of a foreign object accelerating into the edge(s) of the glass. Isn't that bare edge just the perfect location to develop a chip or fracture that can rapidly expand under pressure?

Totally agree....not acceptable and poor design

 

[NanoSteam]

Almost all the manufactures do this now and ya ya ya engineers say it's fine but why must it be a thing. Surely having it supported is better than not, there's no way you can argue that. Function over form needs to make a comeback.

 

[Sam7]

There is simply no reason to build the stand that way

 

[Reef Jedi]

Almost all the manufactures do this now and ya ya ya engineers say it's fine but why must it be a thing. Surely having it supported is better than not, there's no way you can argue that. Function over form needs to make a comeback.

Functionality over aesthetics. I 100% agree!

 

[KrisReef]

It's like I have a Tesla, it's electric and doesn't burn gasoline so therefore I can get rid of the bumpers, right?

 

[MikeReefs]

Here is a good technical explanation to better help understand how aquariums are designed:

Red Sea could benefit from watching this video

 

[MikeReefs]

Most rimless tanks have this look. Including all waterboxes, Innovative marine and they are widely considered some of the best tank manufacturers. If it was up to me I’d have the whole thing supported and eurobraced but that really is obsolete unless you go custom. My father has an old school 120 wood stand and canopy tank that’s 20+ years old. Hard to say if these new school rimless tanks will have that kinda longevity. Hope mine does time will tell

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

What about an instance of a foreign object accelerating into the edge(s) of the glass. Isn't that bare edge just the perfect location to develop a chip or fracture that can rapidly expand under pressure?

Well.... yeah. In engineering we call those AOG - Acts of God. That's an actual legal term for issues outside of design that happen randomly and can not be engineered out.

 

[NanoSteam]

Most rimless tanks have this look. Including all waterboxes, Innovative marine and they are widely considered some of the best tank manufacturers. If it was up to me I’d have the whole thing supported and eurobraced but that really is obsolete unless you go custom. My father has an old school 120 wood stand and canopy tank that’s 20+ years old. Hard to say if these new school rimless tanks will have that kinda longevity. Hope mine does time will tell

AFAIK the IM tanks are fully supported but maybe some of the smaller ones aren't? The stand was a big deciding factor for my upcoming tank for sure.

Well.... yeah. In engineering we call those AOG - Acts of God. That's an actual legal term for issues outside of design that happen randomly and can not be engineered out.

Engineers call it AOG, the consumers call it Murphy's law