Crack on top frame

RayAllen3422

RayAllen3422

New member
8e4900796585b7536aaef3e92e8417e9.jpg


So I bought a used tank yesterday. I have been cleaning it and I noticed a crack in the top of the frame. The tank held water and had no leaks as I witnessed it being taken down. The crack isn't a huge deal but is there anyway I can repair/glue it to keep it from getting worse. I have attached a picture. Any insight is greatly appreciated.
 
On my previous FW setup the center piece was broken all the way through. I covered the crack with JB weld and as soon as I filled it it cracked again. Held water fine so you might be ok. But that is one reason I wanted to get rid of it.
 
Depends on the tank. If there is a cross brace, then it's problematic. If no cross brace, then the rim doesn't play any structural role and won't affect the integrity of the tank. Not all that easy to crack the frame, so I'd look for other damage just in case it's been roughly handled.
 
ca1ore said:
Depends on the tank. If there is a cross brace, then it's problematic. If no cross brace, then the rim doesn't play any structural role and won't affect the integrity of the tank. Not all that easy to crack the frame, so I'd look for other damage just in case it's been roughly handled.
Click to expand...


There are two cross braces. It is a 125 gallon tank. The crack is only half way through and I looked and don't see any other damage. I didn't notice this until I cleaned everything up today. I looked for replacement pieces online but I had no luck. The only things I found when googling was to use JB Weld. I'm not sure what else I can do.
 
A tank that size I would fix it. 5 minute epoxy is pretty cheap at any hardware store (I think) and I'd just patch a 4" piece of plastic (the full width) underneath just to be sure. Give it a really good clean with 120 or so sandpaper and rubbing alcohol first.
 
Marinus said:
A tank that size I would fix it. 5 minute epoxy is pretty cheap at any hardware store (I think) and I'd just patch a 4" piece of plastic (the full width) underneath just to be sure. Give it a really good clean with 120 or so sandpaper and rubbing alcohol first.
Click to expand...


Sorry if I'm missing something but how would this be done? I guess I don't understand how a patch would work.
 
RayAllen3422 said:
Sorry if I'm missing something but how would this be done? I guess I don't understand how a patch would work.
Click to expand...

I would find a scrap piece of strong plastic somewhere and cut a strip the same width as the brace and about 4"-6" long. Pre-shape it fit the contours under the of the brace then apply the epoxy to both pieces and spread it so there is the whole surface is covered, then grabe a couple C clamps and clamp it on till it's cured. Wear gloves, it's a pain to wash off. Don't get any on the C-clamps either. Biggest thing is to make sure the two part epoxy is mixed really good before you put it on the surfaces.
 
Marinus said:
I would find a scrap piece of strong plastic somewhere and cut a strip the same width as the brace and about 4"-6" long. Pre-shape it fit the contours under the of the brace then apply the epoxy to both pieces and spread it so there is the whole surface is covered, then grabe a couple C clamps and clamp it on till it's cured.
Click to expand...


The crack is on the outer frame not the cross beam. For me to do something underneath I would have to remove the entire top frame off the tank. Is that what you are saying?
 
Ah, my bad. I thought it was the cross beam. Do the same thing but just patch it on top. Press down on it for 5 minutes and it's as good as new. Definitely no need to worry about it after that.

No need to cover the lip where the glass lid sits on, that would just complicate insuring a good bond with the part that matters more.
 
Last edited:
Marinus said:
Ah, my bad. I thought it was the cross beam. Do the same thing but just patch it on top. Press down on it for 5 minutes and it's as good as new. Definitely no need to worry about it after that.

No need to cover the lip where the glass lid sits on, that would just complicate insuring a good bond with the part that matters more.
Click to expand...


Any recommendations on what type of plastic scrap to use? Sorry for so many questions.
 
If it's at either end of the tank it's not that big a deal. If you happen to have an old plastic bucket around you have no use for just cut a strip of that.

This stuff:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Loctite-1405603-0.85-Oz-Extra-Time-Epoxy/20371213

Just make sure it says waterproof comes out in equal parts and mix it together really well on a seperate piece.

Edited the link, just find one that says waterproof and plastic on it. Cheers.
 
Last edited:
ca1ore said:
Looks like a very precise 'crack'. Is the rim a single piece or is it just a join point?
Click to expand...


It appears to be a single piece. The crack is very small. I didn't notice it at all until after I had been cleaning it for a couple hours. It almost looks like a cut more than a crack. Who knows.
 
Crack on top frame

Well I called the only places I could find that would sell those and none of them have that big of size and none could give me a name of someone that sold them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

K
40 Gallon AIO Tank Repair?
Replies
8
Views
205
kingyking888
K
P
How can I reinforce a kitchen cabinet to support say a 90 gal tank?
Replies
16
Views
2K
Philip
P
E
What's Old is New Again
Replies
2
Views
444
Uncle99
Uncle99
IceyCream
New Tank Concerns
Replies
6
Views
722
IceyCream
IceyCream
K
Removable glue for 3D PETG and Glass?
Replies
7
Views
826
kingyking888
K
Back
Top