Cloudy ? Second Hand Tank

[Stephan]

Is there anything I can do polish? Or something the glass. It's real glass. Pretty thick. 125 gallons. There are some chips in the glass at the ends etc that do not leak that I would Aldo like to know if there's something I can fill them with for cosmetic improvement. Also the plastic trim is gone at the bottom. I'm told that's cosmetic only not structural. Is that true? Any ideas of where I can get something to retrim. The tank holds water without leaks. I've had it full for about a week with no problems. Finally what can I use for lighting that will look good but is inexpensive?

Thanks, Steve

 

[Stephan]

Anyone?

 

[Fyurae]

I'm not sure I would trust a missing frame on a tank that big, especially if it wasn't meant to be that way. As far as filling and polishing the glass, I'm not sure. I know there are ways to repair acrylic, but I don't know if there's anything that works the same on glass.

 

[Erik]

Is the tank cloudy from scratches or calcium deposits? If it's calcium you can scrape off what you can with a razor blade and use vinegar (I've read that lemon juice works as well) to help remove the remaining deposits.

I'd be leery of using a tank that is missing the bottom trim, but planted tank people remove the top trim carefully and don't seem to have any problems.

Cheap lighting can be found in hardware stores and home improvement places. Things like fluorescentcent shop lights or fluorescent fixtures could work.

 

[Stephan]

I'm leery too. But like at the top it doesn't seem to be just one piece anyone so it doesn't seem to be keeping it together.

The floor under it is laminate and would be totally ruined if it burst. A slow leak discovered quickly enough on the other hand could bevrecoverable.

Is there any way to fashion a frame? What if I fashioned like a 2x4 frame around it. Then I could make a wood surround for the metal stand. Would something like that adequately support it?

 

[Stephan]

Maybe I'll try vinegar to see if it's that. I'm honestly not sure. It's not that that bad

 

[Erik]

I'm no engineer, but I wonder if the trim is mainly to help square up and hold the tank together while it's being constructed. Most tanks that I've had have the bottom of the trim as the only thing supporting the tank on the stand. The bottom piece of glass is not touching the stand. Is it possible that the tank was made without the trim as a homebuilt or custom made tank? Hopefully, someone with more knowledge will jump in. There is a sticky in this section about repairing tanks, and I did notice a pic of one without any bottom trim.

All that said, 125 gallons is a lot of water to end up on the floor and it would probably happen at a very inconvenientnt time.

If it will somewhat scrape off with a razor blade it's calcium deposits. Vinegar is somewhat acidic and will react with the calcium. So it will take some contact time to work.

 

[Stephan]

I don't guess it's THAT cloudy for there to even be anything to scrape off. It's just not as clear as my other tank.

 

[Stephan]

Sorry I meant NOT that cloudy

 

[Erik]

Saw this on another forum. I hope it's OK to link it.

http/www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/143949-diy-mini-stand-5-5g-hanging.html

Makes for a nice looking frame I think.

 

[Stephan]

Yeah that looks nice. Of course that would def be cosmetic only no structural help. But I'm gonna look into that