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.

atcguy · #8 02-14-2008, 04:58 AM

I wouldnt use it, doesnt matter where the crack is. Why risk a flood. IMO

Marlin65 · #9 02-14-2008, 11:02 PM

Does not look that bad I would patch it.
If you put the patch on the outside you will hardly be able to tell.
The crack is not structural and it is all the way through looking at the picture.

Todd · #10 02-15-2008, 01:12 AM

Manufacturer should replace or repair it. The break is from using glass that is too thin for that structure. Regardless of it it had a wavemaker on it or not, the tank should be able to handle it. If it was something you designed and had built, then the manufacturer should have told you this would be an issue, or too bump up the glass thickness and include that in the price.