Weight of rocks in tank? limit?

I have a 105 gallon tank - there are lots of rocks in it - holy rock, coral,
etc. - no gravel - the tank has developed a slow leak somewhere on one of
the bottom side seams - I'm removing the rocks and draining the tank - the
retailer has come out and looked at he tank (and the water on the floor) and
confirms that the tank will be replaced by the manufacturer - but the
retailer has made comments about the amount of rocks in the tank - like it's
too much weight - realistically, what kind of limits are there on how many
rocks (how much weigh) I can put in the tank? Any suggestions? Thanks!

are you supporting the whole base of the tank or just the sides as so many
tanks seem to be.....

Most of my stands are steel framed and most when I bought them have the tank
just sitting in the frame with polystyrene sheet between.... I cut and fit
a piece of 12mm (1/2 inch) ply to the frame so the entire bottom is
supported...

This stops me being haunted by visions of dropping a small rock in the
middle of the tank and watching the whole bottom collapse.....

There are those in the groups who can fill in the whole hydro dynamics
thing - but basically for the weight of the rock to be too much, the bottom
would have to be unsupported... the main force of water being outwards on
the bottom seams at the base of the tank......

"Texas Yankee" wrote in message
...
I have a 105 gallon tank - there are lots of rocks in it - holy rock,
coral,
etc. - no gravel - the tank has developed a slow leak somewhere on one of
the bottom side seams - I'm removing the rocks and draining the tank - the
retailer has come out and looked at he tank (and the water on the floor)
and
confirms that the tank will be replaced by the manufacturer - but the
retailer has made comments about the amount of rocks in the tank - like
it's
too much weight - realistically, what kind of limits are there on how many
rocks (how much weigh) I can put in the tank? Any suggestions? Thanks!

On Fri, 18 Jun 2004 12:51:48 -0500, "Texas Yankee"
wrote:

I have a 105 gallon tank - there are lots of rocks in it - holy rock, coral,
etc. - no gravel - the tank has developed a slow leak somewhere on one of
the bottom side seams - I'm removing the rocks and draining the tank - the
retailer has come out and looked at he tank (and the water on the floor) and
confirms that the tank will be replaced by the manufacturer - but the
retailer has made comments about the amount of rocks in the tank - like it's
too much weight - realistically, what kind of limits are there on how many
rocks (how much weigh) I can put in the tank? Any suggestions? Thanks!


The limit is determined by the flatness and stability of the base of
the tank and its stand. I have had tanks with rocks all the way up to
the surface and beyond to form islands. One such tank must have half a
ton of boulders in it. It is on a very stable base so not amount of
weight well "bend" the glass and break he seals.


Steve
--
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"Texas Yankee" wrote in message ...
I have a 105 gallon tank - there are lots of rocks in it - holy rock, coral,
etc. - no gravel - the tank has developed a slow leak somewhere on one of
the bottom side seams - I'm removing the rocks and draining the tank - the
retailer has come out and looked at he tank (and the water on the floor) and
confirms that the tank will be replaced by the manufacturer - but the
retailer has made comments about the amount of rocks in the tank - like it's
too much weight - realistically, what kind of limits are there on how many
rocks (how much weigh) I can put in the tank? Any suggestions? Thanks!

I've never heard it discussed before -- In my Oscar aquaria I put lots
and lots of heavy rocks, and it's never been an issue. However, I'm
thinking that what may have caused your leak is not the weight of the
rocks, but perhaps the contact they make with the bottom glass of your
aquarium? I put rocks on a layer of gravel, but when you set a heavy
rock directly on the glass maybe there's a chance that it will crack.
--Mark