Not Good!

Jaws · #1 02-13-2008, 07:19 AM

Well, one of the worst things imaginable happened tonight; The brand new tank I was setting up cracked. It was in the cycling stage. It was a pretty custom job so I'm not sure what to do from here. Anyone have any positive advice for me?

TRIX · #2 02-13-2008, 12:58 PM

Sorry to hear that. Most important why did it crack. Is the stand not flat or proberly balanced. Where on the tank is the crack. If you custom builder is local you might be able to get a house call to asses.

jslaney · #3 02-13-2008, 01:07 PM

Looks like its not really a huge structural crack. Kind of a unexpected spot actually. Once getting a second opinion you should probably be able to drain the tank a little and just calk over the crack.

crappy deal but at least its not on the bottom.

my 2 cents.

Shipwreck · #4 02-13-2008, 05:15 PM

I definitely would not continue to use the tank. Did it crack around any drilled holes? As long as the tank is on an "approved" stand and was customized by the tank company they should replace the tank at this point.

Dale · #5 02-14-2008, 04:00 AM

Hi Jaws,
It looks like your wave maker was mounted or resting on that part of the tank and the flexing caused the crack (from what I can see) The slot for the overflow creates a short piece of glass there which would be weaker than if there had been no overflow slot.

It's totally up to you to balance cost of replacement vs the asthetics of a visible defect vs peace of mind but I can say I've used several tanks with cracks in them like that for many years without difficulty.

If you decide to use the tank you should find a rectangular piece of glass that will cover the crack liberally. Dry and clean both surfaces and smear silicone thinly on one side of the "patch" glass and stick em together. Oddly enough, that part of the tank will be stronger than before it broke.

I'll try to edit in a picture to illustrate.

Myka · #6 02-14-2008, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale

Hi Jaws,
It looks like your wave maker was mounted or resting on that part of the tank and the flexing caused the crack (from what I can see)

Yep, looks like it to me too. Looks like you did a biiiiiiiiiiig boo boo OP. Bummer...

Aquattro · #7 02-14-2008, 04:25 AM

Jason, I agree with Dale. You can probably patch that without a problem.