Cracked Glass At Bulkhead

[neoh74]

I purchased a 125gal half circle tank that has 3/4 inch glass on Facebook and leak tested for about 30 min. Everything seemed fine. When I got it set up in the house everything was fine. When the overflow filled up i noticed a drip. Got the bulkheads off and the main drain is cracked the the back of the tank. Ugh! I cant buy another tank for the stand, might as well dump 2,000 for a new one... Any ideas on how to fix? It's a center overflow, the return bulkhead is fine. I was either
1. Run a glass glue and level with a razor knife, then use a small glass patch next to the bulkhead with silicone for weight distribution

or

2. Run glass glue and level on top and bottom, install the bulkheads and tubing, then use waterproof gorilla tape over the crack and last silicoe the $hiteoutof it.

Any other ideas?

I know time will tell how much mileage i will get out of it but at this point just want it to hold...

 

[dkevink]

I had a small crack in one of my tanks, bottom corner. I coated the inside with silicon and all is good so far. I guess it all depends on where crack is and how bad.

 

[ca1ore]

Picture would help. As long as the crack cannot ‘run’ it may be ok; is a risk though. A glass patch would seem like the best fix.

 

[Kevin Guthrie]

Yeah, drill an identical-sized hole in the patch glass and silicone it, to the inside if possible, directly over the existing hole.

 

[OurCoralReef]

Cracked Glass At Bulkhead

Yeah, drill an identical-sized hole in the patch glass and silicone it, to the inside if possible, directly over the existing hole.

You have to do this on both sides of the crack otherwise your risking it spread

Why don't you just replace the whole panel with a fresh silicone job on all the joints it shouldn't cost more than $200

 

[Floowid]

Depending on how big the crack is, you might be able to drill the hole a larger diameter. If you can get a good clean hole that extends beyond the end of the crack and put in a larger bulkhead you should be good.

 

[OurCoralReef]

Depending on how big the crack is, you might be able to drill the hole a larger diameter. If you can get a good clean hole that extends beyond the end of the crack and put in a larger bulkhead you should be good.

That's actually a very good idea of course you need to find a bulkhead that big

 

[neoh74]

unfortunately due to the size of the nuts there would be no room for bigger bulkheads. Ill have to see how much a panel would be. Im thinking god awful expensive as it is an odd shape. Its a half circle.

 

[neoh74]

Cheapest I can find a new piece of glass is $500. 1/2" thick 47 inch diameter width half circle...

 

[nikon187]

that would be your best bet. i wouldnt trust a crack from the bulkhead 5 yrs down the road, patch or no patch. $500 now or tens of thousands later.

 

[OurCoralReef]

Cheapest I can find a new piece of glass is $500. 1/2" thick 47 inch diameter width half circle...

Oh its the bottom glass that sucks try to get another quote

 

[ca1ore]

Like I said above, a picture would help. If the crack is from the edge of the hole to the back of the tank it cannot go anywhere. How long of a crack are we talking? An inch or two? I’d get a small patch, drill it for the bulkhead and silicone it on, let the silicone cure and then test fill.

 

[neoh74]

here is pic

 

[neoh74]

Whoever concocted the recipe for marine 5200 is the devil!!! About two teaspoons of caulking in it is on my hands, shirt cabinet, sink and arms. I have been cleaning with lysol wipes for 20 minutes and still just found more!

The only way to fix this is going to be to replace the bottom glass...

 

[neoh74]

Anyone know of a cheap custom glass cutting company in CA?

 

[pfan151]

Why aren’t you trying the patch? Where that crack is seems like a patch would be fine. I’d temporarily cut off the overflow so you can get the patch seated well and go to it. The hole will keep the crack from spreading further. Adding a new bottom panel isn’t nearly as easy as you’d think.

 

[R1ant04]

Big risk playing with a crack n the bottom of a tank, esp around a bulkhead....I know u don’t wanna hear this but u probably should replace entire bottom or on to a new tank.

 

[neoh74]

There are two cracks I found now. One goes right to the back of the glass, the other runs under the display. But it was siliconed previous looks on purpose trying to hide it and foam board on the bottom so i couldn't see it. Lookig for replacement panels now. Time to drain...

 

[ca1ore]

Lizards ....

 

[neoh74]

Nice tank, definately worth repairing as the tank alone new is $3,000. This is what it looks like tank, stand and hood. I have the 118gallon.