Well I've got them imbedded into the tank (well siliconed in). I don't see where it's gonna bow much as I've been able to pick up the tank with the pieces. They are rated for 600gph. If you are flowing more than that, it's definately going to bow because you are running too much. The holes are more than an inch in diameter so they should flow much more than 600. As soon as it gets set up I'll tell you how it goes. By the way the baffle walls are very sturdy and don't seem to budge or flex.