Can I fix this large tank?

[sonofgaladriel]

Hello all.
I've found a 640 gallon (96" by 34" by 48" tall, 1 1/2" thick) acrylic tank at a great price. The problem is that one of the 30" sides has a 16" long hairline crack that runs from the bottom up towards the top, 3" from the corner. When filled with water, this crack does seep water.
Can I fix this crack by simply affixing a 1/2" thick piece of acrylic over the crack? Would it be best to go the full 34" interior width from corner to corner and several inches above the crack itself?
Should I add some to the outside of the tank as well?
Or, is this tank done in terms of use as an aquarium?
I'll be driving over 8 hours to pick it up, so I'd like to know for sure it this tank can be fixed and be safe to use as an aquarium.
Thoughts? Thanks for any advice and tips!

 

[HarrsCars]

You should be able to affix a piece to the inside of the tank as a whole section. If you bought black in 3/4 and set the tank of end and poured in the weld on you would then weight it down and let it cure. It should be strong enough to hold and be leakproof. We glued in 3/16 to the side of mine and them routered through both pieces to cut my overflow teeth with no breakouts or chips at all.

Good luck
Mike

 

[paullisa51708]

agree with the above post have done it also!weld on is a great product prob use weld on 40

 

[Chihuahua6]

I would double check on the DIY forum where several acrylic fabricators hang out just to get their expert opinions. They helped me out with repairing my previous tank.

 

[sonofgaladriel]

I did just get word from 'acrylics' on the DIY section. He says that if the crack is touching the bottom seam, the entire side will need to be replaced. If not, the inside and outside need to be patched, and since the outside of this tank has been painted, he says that the outside patch will not likely be solid, even with all the paint scraped off.
Looks like I'll be passing on this big tank. It kills me though since it is so cheap!!!. But, I sure don't want 640 gallons of water and countless $$$'s in fish on the floor.
Back to ebay, craigslist, and the for sale forum here!

 

[Chihuahua6]

That is too bad but you made the right decision.

What are you looking for? Since you already have a 240 I'm assuming you're looking for a huge tank. I'm sure there's one out there for you.

Good luck in your search.

 

[sonofgaladriel]

That is too bad but you made the right decision.

What are you looking for? Since you already have a 240 I'm assuming you're looking for a huge tank. I'm sure there's one out there for you.

Good luck in your search.

Thanks Chihuahua6. I think so too, but its hard to let a tank that big get away. I wish I had the room to turn it into a vivarium!!!
I'm actually looking for a good used 10 footer. My dream tank is 120"x30"x42" to 48" tall.
This 640 is only 96" but at the price, I was willing to 'settle' for a shorter tank. Oh well, back to the quest for a 10 footer.

 

[discus510]

if it was me and i was plannin to do it as an in wall ill get it and put black pieces on the inside and outside of the rite and left wall so it look like u did on purpose =)

 

[Alphabet]

You could "slice" off the entire end, and re-attach a new piece of acrylic. I'm sure a local company might be able to help you out. Call for a quote. Good luck in your search.

 

[LargeAngels]

he says that the outside patch will not likely be solid, even with all the paint scraped off.

Wouldn't sanding the outside take all the paint off?

 

[sfsuphysics]

slide that bad boy on a table saw and chop off the end then slap a new side on it!

 

[MarineGirl411]

slide that bad boy on a table saw and chop off the end then slap a new side on it!

That's what I was thinking as well!

 

[sonofgaladriel]

That's what I was thinking as well!

Find me a table saw big enough, and someone crazy enough, to handle a tank weighing over 1000 pounds and run it through 4 times!:crazy1: