TOTAL DISASTER - 1500 Gallon tank gives way

[Floyd R Turbo]

This is heartbreaking. Our LFS got a 1500 gallon used acrylic tank a few months ago. They have been working on setting it up since then. They filled it today and at 12:30 pm, the bottom seam along the back gave out and it emptied in less than 5 seconds. The owner was STANDING BEHIND THE TANK when it happened.

Before it was on the stand

Today, 4:15 pm

 

[happygirl65]

TRAGIC

 

[mfdrookie516]

Wow, that sucks. Wonder if insurance will cover it?

 

[thincat]

What do you think caused it. Very sad!!!

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

I didn't want to ask. They had every employee there cleaning up the mess, reconnecting power to all the other tanks, etc.

 

[BigJim]

Was anyone hurt? 1500g of water can generate a lot of force!

 

[maxst2]

holy cow! Thats alot of water! Hope every one and thing was ok!

 

[mandy2936]

That's absolutely terrible! What an awful mess that must have made

 

[libbyb]

I hope no one was hurt.

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

Thankfully, no. I just found out that they caught the incident on a newly installed 16 camera security system. I'm going in tomorrow to tape it and put on YouTube, if it's possible.

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

Oh yeah, and here the thread on the local reef site, with comments from the owner.

Iowa Pet Foods and Seascapes Tank Explodes!!! - Greater Iowa Reef Society - Greater Iowa Reef Society Discussion Forums - Public Forums - General (Hobby Related)

Insurance is covering everything, they already ordered a new tank.

 

[Jason7894561230]

That sucks mate

 

[uscamaro]

that's awful... looking forward to the video though

 

[waynotcars]

Its really too bad that being in the business and being the tank was used, that he didn't think to water test this thing OUTSIDE first. For Pete's sake, I water test every tank I get, new or used, outside first before bringing it in my house, from 10 gal to 300 gal.
I feel really bad for them but can't help but think I'll bet he'll test tanks outside in the future.

 

[abdhalim2]

wow......that is disaster...is it because of the LR in the tank.???

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

I don't know. There could be many explanations. Since the tank was used, who knows what the history of the tank is. It was transported from I think Missouri to Iowa somehow, so something could have been improperly secured and the tank could have been bounced around. They had to use a forklift to get it up onto the stand (there is a Gold's Gym next door, but they decided it was too much liability to have them help lift it on). The weight of the LR pales in comparison to the weight of the water, of course, and the LR was not against the back side.

The tank was 1/2 full on Wednesday and they did an LED lighting demo at that time also. I didn't know they were going to do LED, so I guess we'll wait until the new tank comes in before we get to see that.

Owner said that insurance should cover everything, hopefully!

I'll be stopping in there after they open today. With luck I'll get a YouTube video up this afternoon. Stay tuned!!!

 

[Sonomakid]

Wow thats sucks, glad no one was hurt. Hope insurance covers that kind of thing.

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

Yeah I hope so too. There won't be video available for a while unfortunately, at least until the insurance company clears it. I was told I shouldn't have taken the pictures also, so I might have to remove them also. Liability reasons or something like that. At least I can go watch the video footage!

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

Update: pics can stay online. No video still though.

 

[Laurence]

You don't say how old the tank was, you just say "used." Keep in mind that acrylic is rigid plastic, and plastic becomes weak and brittle with age. However, if an acrylic tank is properly made the seams are fused together chemically into one solid unit. Evidently this tank was not properly manufactured or checked before being sold. All used tanks should be checked carefully, for obvious reasons. A 1,500 gallon tank weighs 12,525 pounds - a lot of water to get hit with! All we can do is extend our sympathy - and hope you have insurance!