Tank Crack!

[weathermen]

From bad to worse

Hi salt heads,
Saturday was a long time coming, a dive friend of mine had a 110g marine set up for sale 4 x 2 x 2, Saturday was transfer day! “Not an easy task as most of you will know” we managed to strip the tank down get it in the van for the 15 mile drive! So now we have the stand, lid, tank, 8 drums of salt mix, 10 drums of live rock, 3 clowns, 1 yellow tank, and 1 regal tang, all the drums out, all rock out base is now in the dining room! We get the tank out of the doors of the van and oh yes! My mate slips and the bottom of the tank hits the door plate on the van! A 4 inch crack straight across the middle! I’m devastated I had to down grade quickly to a 3ft x 18” x 18”, thank god I keep tropical’s and have tanks sitting around, unfortunately I’ve lost some live rock as we couldn’t cramp anymore in!

So here is my question?

I went into a couple of lfs and asked the question! Can I plate the bottom of the tank? The 1st one said NO! You need a new tank! The second lfs said yeah no problem use 6mm float glass as big as you can get inside the tank, 5mm from the edge clean it with white vinegar and silicon the new sheet of glass to the bottom! Leave it 7 days and fill with water!
Has anyone done this?

If so make me feel better and say it will be ok!

Any reassurance would be great! cheers

 

[ozzy47]

i have done it on a 6x2x2, silicone around the edge of the plate you are puttin in and silicone down each side of the crack use plenty of silicone lay sheet of glass in stand something heavy on it and leave for approx 3 days then you caan cover with sybstrate fill and you dont even see it

cheers stewy

 

[starkie]

i have 4 x18x18 that was the same it was plated full size uder the tank and had silicon along the crack and all edges its been fine for years

 

[weathermen]

Thanks for comments

are you all saying place new glass under the tank and not in it! or do both to be safe?

I can't go the full length inside because of braces but around 3 foot of glass!

thanks again

 

[ozzy47]

hi, place the glassvin the tank and as long as the plate of glass covers the crack its fine i wouldnt silicone anything under the tank as if its not exact size will make the tank unstable so always place inside tank.

cheers stewart

 

[weathermen]

WILL DO AND THANKS AGAIN!

I will be up here a lot I think, very new to salt!

I have loads to ask and so much to read!

If there is help needed you guys always come up trumps!

 

[1entra]

Yea make sure you use a lot of sealant and completly cover the crack. Also make sure you use something REALLY heavy to hold the glass down for a few days until it sets, that way you can reassured you have left no air gaps for potential future leaks!

Another way would be to replace the entire base of the tank. Just cut of the old one on the sealant joints and add the new one and seal into place!

Good luck

 

[starkie]

due to his braces he cant get one piece in the tank and under it he can just cut it to outside edges and put silicon to both sides of crack inc inside tank then if water wants out will have less joints and silicon at both sides of crack stops it and glass under it is just for support

 

[benniebru]

oh dude thats a bummer but it is funny reading ur post "we get out of the van and oh yes! my mate slips" lol im sorry but that made me chuckle that totally sucks i would have been so mad i would have went right back out and got a new tank lol even tho ones that size are expensive good luck tryin to fix the glass if thats what u intend to do hope it works out for u

 

[weathermen]

thanks again for comments, we are adding the new support glass this weekend, I'll let you all no how we get on over the next week! I have so much to learn, this is a temporary tank as well, I'm having a 36 x 24 x 24 made next year with sump! all I wanted was the livestock, live rock and equipment, shame I lost half the live rock, once I get my head around all of this I'll get some pics up!

thanks again guys!

 

[andywg]

I put glass both in and out on my 6x2x2 for safety, so I had a small piece to cover the crack on the inside, and a whole new base on the bottom so that any stress is nicely spread.

 

[weathermen]

Andywg

are you saying that I should consider doing that?

I thought as the sides come down onto the base if it did crack then a glass sheet at the very bottom wouldn't make any difference as they are not attatched to the base!

what do I know anyway

 

[ozzy47]

hi i doing the bottom is an option but just more expense, if you have a 4" crack in the base i would only look at using a sheet of glass 12" square and plenty silicone to place over the crack the chances are you have a piece laying around that size not cheap to buy a 4x2 base as well, and as for the rock dont throw it away add it in your tank as a base for your other live rock it will become live again by the time you get your new tank.

cheers stewy

 

[TribeOfShroom]

Sorry to hi jack this thread, but I just want to say thankyou. One of my 18"x18"x18" has got a small 3" crack in one of the corners on the bottom pane and now I know I can repair it I've already got the glass from an old shed window...just need a glass cutting device now

 

[1entra]

Andywg

are you saying that I should consider doing that?

I thought as the sides come down onto the base if it did crack then a glass sheet at the very bottom wouldn't make any difference as they are not attatched to the base!

what do I know anyway

You dont have do do this at all, its just extra protection. Personally I would consider it as you would much reather be safe than sorry, but it is not necessary.

Try the inside pane method first and if your not too keen on it then you can easily get another glass to cover the entire base from underneath!