dilling holes for bulkhead and got a big chip

[Gandolfe]

Hello, any thoughts, information, or details on how to repair would be greatly appreciated. I was drilling a 125 gallon tank that i got off CL for $150 and got a big chip when the drill bound up and twisted(was using low speed instead of high like I should have been). It's on the inside and about 1.5 inches long and goes about a 1/16th into the glass. The bulkhead doesn't cover it. Should i use epoxy to fill in chip and then install bulkhead or should i just silicone the crap out of the bulkhead and make a bead wide enough to fill chip. I am worried that the tank might crack later. The bulkhead is for the closed loop supply(there are two) on the right side of tank, about 4" from bottom of tank. I was also thinking if this weakened structure of tank about putting 2 pieces of glass on inside and outside and drill through them for bulkhead after using silicone to hold them in place. I was also wondering if i should reseal all corners and along the bottom. I didn't get a chance to test for leaks(no place to fill it). If i do do I need to remove all inside silicone and then re-do or can i just make a new bead over existing beads. Thanks!

 

[billsreef]

I was also thinking if this weakened structure of tank about putting 2 pieces of glass on inside and outside and drill through them for bulkhead after using silicone to hold them in place.

The sandwich option is the correct repair method Drill the holes in the sandwich pieces before you glue them on. This way should one break while drilling, your not sitting the cutting it off

Also leak test the tank before putting it in service...this should be done with any tank.

 

[Gandolfe]

Thanks, this $150 dollar "bargain is already over $650 and i still don't have the pumps,wavemakers,or stand

 

[billsreef]

Some of those bargains don't always work out that way when your done :lol:

 

[Gandolfe]

yeah but i'm going all out and doing it right, T5HO lights,a scwd wavemakers, at least 4000GPH through the closed loop, split into 2 section, with a 1" scwd on each, r/o system that cost $108, DIY stand drilled the tank myself for bulkheads,etc... want a mixed coral tank, already have over 200lbs of rock and close to that in sand from my 90 gallon I've had for 5 years

 

[billsreef]

Sounds like it'll be a great set up when your done

 

[Gandolfe]

I did the sandwich with two pieces of 1" glass, and then did another piece over the other supply hole, just to make it match. I plan on painting the back glass black anyway, once i put in all the bulkheads and re-seal all the joints inside the tank. by the time i get done, i should have a set up for $1000, that would have cost over$3000 if i bought everything and didn't do any DIY!. I'm just wondering if a 45 gallon tall is a big enough sump. I'm not putting any macro in it, just the skimmer, a phosphate reactor, and maybe a dump Algae scrubber on top. I'm gonna drill another hole in the sump to drain out for water changes. I'll just shut off return and drain lines and drain sump without messing with display. then fill in sump. have a mobile home so I might just drill a hole in the floor to drain through right under the trailer on the ground

 

[jeff@zina.com]

One thing I've seen done is having an auto glass company fill the chip. It works on windshields and did fine on the system I saw. Have no idea what the cost was and assume your auto insurance wouldn't cover it...

Jeff

 

[Gandolfe]

it's cost more, last chip my wife had in her windshield cost us $100 more a year. and we're in Florida. Our rates went, up why i changed insurance companies

 

[jkcoon]

Thanks, this $150 dollar "bargain is already over $650 and i still don't have the pumps,wavemakers,or stand

LOL... first lesson learned by a new aquarium owner (myself included) the tank is the cheapest part

 

[Gandolfe]

I still like...definition:- Aquarium- a deep, large hole in one's living room, that sucks in great amounts of money$$$, that while causing some relaxation, at the same time, increases stress and frustration

 

[billsreef]

Too true.

I always liked those medical studies that claim watching fish tanks lowers blood pressure. I kept asking my doctor how is it possible that I have high blood pressure if I'm looking at lots of fish tanks every day. He just laughed and told me that's because it's my job, and work tends raise ones blood pressure :lol:

 

[JTL]

One thing I've seen done is having an auto glass company fill the chip. It works on windshields and did fine on the system I saw. Have no idea what the cost was and assume your auto insurance wouldn't cover it...

Jeff

You can purchase the resin online to repair glass and it was pretty inexpensive, I don't remember the exact price but it was under $20. I repaired a couple of chips and it works pretty well. The only thing is you need to cure it with UV light. I purchased a cheap black light at Lowes and it worked. The resin is supposed to be harder than the glass itself.

 

[Gandolfe]

too late for epoxy, already did repair with two pieces of glass

 

[aleonn]

LOL... first lesson learned by a new aquarium owner (myself included) the tank is the cheapest part

LOL, that is too true!