Broken 55g Tank...

[ICEEGRL]

Ok. So I don't want it rounded... just done enough so that it isn't sharp. Will do.

When I do this... how thick does the silicone need to be between the glass pieces and the bead on the inside?

I don't have any clamps. Can I use something like duct tape to hold it together? Does it need to be help really tightly together or what? How do I know I have it right?

Sorry about so many questions... I am so afraid of messing up!

Thanks again!

 

[Tolak]

You just want a thin film between the edges, I'm guessing about 1/32". You can look at the other thre sides to eyeball this one. Some rope or strong twine wrapped around & tied tight will hold it as long as you are only replacing one short side. You want it tight enough that the film between the panes just oozes a little, but doesn't squeeze the sealant completely out.


Don't be afraid of messing up, it's already broken so you really can't do anything but good. Reseals, like caulking or painting take a little practice to make it look like a factory seam, unless it is really glopped on nobody notices the difference.

 

[ICEEGRL]

Thanks.

I was going to try to work on getting the glass out today, but every time I look at it... I just want to cry!
It is the little girl in me... Someone broke my favorite new toy! I didn't even get to play with it first!!!!!

I just have to get my mind right again. For now I just want to go to bed and make this day end. Nothing has gone right for me today.

Thanks again!

 

[ICEEGRL]

Quick question... Do I have to take the top and bottom frames completely off, or do I just get it loose from the end that is broken (so I can get the glass out) and leave it on the rest of the tank?

I need to know fairly quick so I can get this done while I still have help.

Thanks for helping!

 

[Tolak]

The frames, being plastic, will bend a little. If you remove it half way across you should have enough give to get the broken glass out, and get the new piece in. You don't want to bend it too far, as it will crack, but being a new tank it should be fairly flexable. I have a bunch of old frames from 20's & 29's, I can bend these at least a half inch at the mid point, and they are old & somewhat hardened.

 

[ICEEGRL]

Am I going to be able to get the other glass in place and siliconed back in with it still on or will it be better to take it off?
This may take a while to get apart... It is really stuck on.
I don't want to rush and mess it up. I also don't want to get cut or stuck.
I had a piece of glass from a window stab me into the bone in my hand one time. That really hurts. It doesn't come out easily either. I still have a knot. I thought I was going to be smart and replace a window that broke. I got it done, but I got hurt badly trying. I don't want a repeat of that!

I am thinking it may be easier to take the top one all the way off so I don't break it, and so I will have more room to work when putting the other one in. I can leave the bottom there, and just get it apart where the glass is that I need to get out.
Would that be good or not?

Thanks for helping!

 

[ICEEGRL]

I don't know how much silicone they put in under that top frame, but it is so stuck!
I think I am quitting for the night. I will work on it again in the morning. I think it will be fairly easy to get he glass out if I can ever get the #### top frame off!

Will new silicone stick and seal to the old silicone? (Where it meets up to the sides at the bottom)

Thanks for helping me get through this and get it fixed! I really appreciate it.

 

[Tolak]

Please be careful, trips to the ER are not covered in the TFF DIY section. Wearing some heavy gloves when removing the broken pieces might be a good idea.

Top frames are the worst part of tank repair, heating the silicone with aheat gun helps, a blow dryer might give you enough heat to soften the silicone. I know a torch will heat it real good, but will also melt the frame quite easily.

You can buy replacement frames if you do crack the original one, I know a top frame for a 72 bow is in the 40 some dollar range. You can often repair smaller cracks in frames if they are around the perimeter. The new silicone will stick to the old silicone if the old silicone is clean and dry, as it will be with a new tank. Give it a quick wipe with isopropal alcohol, this cleans and removes any moisture.

You could leave the bottom in place when removing the broken pieces, and it may be to your advantage to break them a little smaller, making them easier to wiggle loose. Try grabbibg the pieces with a pair of pliers, the pliers won't care if they get cut, and wear gloves.

 

[kribensis12]

I got a 55g black frame from my fav lfs( superpets) for 14.99, so i dont about the whole 40 dollar thing. But prices are different everywhere. Please be careful.

 

[Tolak]

I got a 55g black frame from my fav lfs( superpets) for 14.99, so i dont about the whole 40 dollar thing. But prices are different everywhere. Please be careful.

That price was for a 72 gallon bowfront. I'm sure a frame for as common a tank as a 55 would be much cheaper.

 

[ICEEGRL]

I finally got the top frame off!
I was just about ready to chunk the thing out the window when my son finally got smart and brought me a putty knife(scraper). They work so much better than a razor or a sharp knife! (and they don't slice you up)
I have no injuries so far, but my son has a minor cut in the palm of his had where his knife slipped and got him. He is fine though. It took about 5 minutes for it to make a drop of blood. It isn't really bleading... it just has that red line where it looks like it wanted to.

Problem... two of the corners of the top brace broke. The split is right in the corner on the part that goes down from the top. It is still hanging on at the top. When I put this back together will the silicone hold that properly, or do I need to replace it? It is both corners on the same side.
I need to know what to do about this...

Now I have to try to get all the clean up done around the top, and get the broken glass out.

Thanks for helping! I will let you know how it is going as we go.

 

[Underwurlde]

Do you know what I'm thinking?

I'm thinking... 'I wonder how much a replacement tank costs'!

I admire your tenacity ICEEGRL!

Andy

 

[ICEEGRL]

Well... This one still has the price tag on it... $109.99
In fact... it still has all the stickers and such on it! Isn't that sad?

I am about to do some shopping. I have to get some fish food and supplies. I am going to look for a replacement top frame while I am at it.

I can't stand for something to beat me. I am a taurus... that means really really hard headed!

 

[Tolak]

A little epoxy would fix that corner, if you don't mind it looking a little off color. If you can put the corner towards the back where it can't be seen it isn't an issue. JB Weld is a common epoxy product found at automotive parts shops, and is nearly indestructable. You may be able to give it a dab of some paint that matches the frame to hide it further.

 

[ICEEGRL]

I was going to just go on and get another one, but they are pretty hard to find around here. I have found a few on line though. The problem is that I would have to pay more for shipping that what the frame costs. The only places that I have found them... they didn't cary any of the other stuff that I needed so I couldn't combine the orders. That sux!

I May end up just using j b weld and putting that side to the back.

I am not going to get to do much on it today. I have way too much house work and all to do today. I am going to work on getting the rest of the old silicone off though. I am a bit of a perfectionist... I tend to spend a lot more time on the little things than most people would. Hopefully it will work out as a good thing though. It may take longer and be a lot more work, but in the end hopefully I will have a new tank that looks like a new tank.

I guess I had better get to work. I will check in later.

Thanks