Crack In Glass

[chishnfips]

Hello folks,

I picked up a 5ft 33 gallon aquarium the other day for FREE. it has a small crack in the glass maybe about 4-5 inches on the base of the tank.

I was wondering since there wont be any pressure on that part of the tank would I be ok to just cover the crack with silicone or should I replace the base of the tank with new glass.

I would rather not have to replace the glass as it will cost like £100 + > and would cost more than the tank is worth.

 

[peter-pecker]

Hi in the past i hade the same all i done was to silicon a peiceof glass on the top worked a treat

 

[chishnfips]

thats an idea, which I didn't think of, I dont think the glass has cracked all the way through the thickness (if you know what I mean) when I rub the crack with my finger its smooth,

(hang on thats sounds so dodgey) lol


just a quick edit...


with the crack that has already appeared, will it not continue to split along the base?

 

[PaPeRo]

Once you have a crack you cannot stop that same crack from cracking further that's under pressure with silicone.

 

[raptorrex]

Hello folks,

I picked up a 5ft 33 gallon aquarium the other day for FREE. it has a small crack in the glass maybe about 4-5 inches on the base of the tank.

I was wondering since there wont be any pressure on that part of the tank would I be ok to just cover the crack with silicone or should I replace the base of the tank with new glass.

I would rather not have to replace the glass as it will cost like �100 + > and would cost more than the tank is worth.

could do with a pic to make a better recommendation.

Once you have a crack you cannot stop that same crack from cracking further that's under pressure with silicone.

Humm i see your point! but this method is used, by many people, to great effect.

 

[chishnfips]

no bother I will try and stick on a pic tonight.

 

[NomadicOne]

One way of stopping cracks from continuing is a process that is used when repairing cracks/splits in carbon. If you are going to cover it with another piece of glass (which would be hidden under the substrate anyway), using a glass cutting drill bit (diamond or tungsten tipped burrs are best) at each end of the crack drill through the glass. The holes drilled will stop the glass from cracking any further as the crack has reached the theoretical end of the material at the holes. You can then use liberal amounts of silicone to affix the new piece of glass over the top of the crack making sure that you leave, if possible 4" of glass overlapping each side of the crack. Apply the sealant in a long square coil with the outer edge of the glass having a complete join of sealant under the glass and then around the outer edge of the piece of glass after it has been affixed. I would also clamp it if possible using a pair of carpenters G clamps (if available) or at the very least a piece of wood placed over the glass and then stacked with bricks or bags of sand. This will make sure that the sealant is adequately compressed to hold the new piece of glass in place and to ensure no leaks in the sealant.

 

[raptorrex]

How about theses guys that do the invisible mend on car windscreen's? there must be a retail version of that!

 

[chishnfips]

Thats a good idea nomadic,

The crack has started at the edge so I take it I would only have to drill a hole on one end of the crack.


also, I phoned one place up for a full new sheet of glass......£150 the quoted.

I phoned another place and was quoted £45, what a difference, they were at it me thinks.

 

[DarkEntity]

If its at the edge of the glass then one end would do.