Disaster
- Thread starter Solitaryensis
- Start date
Mr. Ugly
New member
Plywood, man 
If it was my tank, and I was trying to do a low cost salvage of the starfire, I'd cut a piece of plywood that would fit inside the tank.
Paint it with a bunch of coats of whatever they use for tanks. Then silicone it in place on top of the existing cracked glass.
Paint it white or black or whatever you like, and put your rock right on top for bare bottom even
If it was my tank, and I was trying to do a low cost salvage of the starfire, I'd cut a piece of plywood that would fit inside the tank.
Paint it with a bunch of coats of whatever they use for tanks. Then silicone it in place on top of the existing cracked glass.
Paint it white or black or whatever you like, and put your rock right on top for bare bottom even
Psionicdragon
New member
If you have or willing to, buy a used acrlyic set up for 500 or so. SWFanatic recently sold his nice tank for that much.
tacocat
Premium Member
oops, here's a more specific link.
http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/aquariumdiy/a/aa031302.htm
I'd fix it. You won't be able to see the extra glue seam on the bottom if the stand has a lip. If you screw up. No biggie, cut it out and re do it. Just don't break it in the process.
You're lucky it was the bottom, you can slap 10lbs of silicon on the bottom and get sloppy with it, and you'll never see it.
http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/aquariumdiy/a/aa031302.htm
I'd fix it. You won't be able to see the extra glue seam on the bottom if the stand has a lip. If you screw up. No biggie, cut it out and re do it. Just don't break it in the process.
You're lucky it was the bottom, you can slap 10lbs of silicon on the bottom and get sloppy with it, and you'll never see it.
Solitaryensis
New member
Sid,
I think it was because the dolly was not sitting on the perimeter, and instead, was in the center of the tank. The dolly was 2x2 which I thought would be big enough to withstand the edges hanging off, but I guess not. I think this was all exacerbated by the small heat wave we had this weekend.
I think it was because the dolly was not sitting on the perimeter, and instead, was in the center of the tank. The dolly was 2x2 which I thought would be big enough to withstand the edges hanging off, but I guess not. I think this was all exacerbated by the small heat wave we had this weekend.
Vincerama2
Active member
Sorry to hear of the disaster! I had a (much much cheaper 40G tank) break due to my own clumsiness. Sold it to a reptile keeper for $10.
Anyway, how about you use a piece of plywood of the correct size BUT also get a piece of glass that is thin enough to be reasonably priced (1/4" ? 3/16"). Then silicon the thin glass to the sides of the tank (thus making the tank watertight, but use the plywood as the actual bottom of the tank? So the plywood would provide whatever structural strength the orginal glass bottom provided, but the thinner (ie cheaper) glass bottom would provide the "seal". Because now you have glass to glass sealed with silicon. Know what I mean?
And I'd cut the plywood and glass bottom such that the sides sat ON TOP of the bottom glass. Structurally speaking, I'd say that the stress on the side panes will (obviously) push the glass outward. If the side panes sit on the bottom pane, then the cross section of the side panels will have the silicon on it and provide good surface area to bond with the surface of the bottom pane. See what I mean?
That's my 2 cents anyway.
V
Anyway, how about you use a piece of plywood of the correct size BUT also get a piece of glass that is thin enough to be reasonably priced (1/4" ? 3/16"). Then silicon the thin glass to the sides of the tank (thus making the tank watertight, but use the plywood as the actual bottom of the tank? So the plywood would provide whatever structural strength the orginal glass bottom provided, but the thinner (ie cheaper) glass bottom would provide the "seal". Because now you have glass to glass sealed with silicon. Know what I mean?
And I'd cut the plywood and glass bottom such that the sides sat ON TOP of the bottom glass. Structurally speaking, I'd say that the stress on the side panes will (obviously) push the glass outward. If the side panes sit on the bottom pane, then the cross section of the side panels will have the silicon on it and provide good surface area to bond with the surface of the bottom pane. See what I mean?
That's my 2 cents anyway.
V
Solitaryensis
New member
Yeah, my dad is thinking i should repair it. I dont think i want to go the plywood route but i was thinking of getting a piece of glass and putting it right on top of the old one. I would think that this would end up being the same as me taking out the old one and putting in a new one. Of course id silicone the new piece in. What do you guys think?
Gordonious
Active member
Solitaryensis,
"I was thinking of getting a piece of glass and putting it right on top of the old one"
I was about to ask why that idea wasn't talked about more. I really want to know why this wouldn't work well.
Although the size and pressure are completely different from what your working with, I have have a 5.5g tank that I was considering repairing the same way. It was my first drilling project and I didn't buy a proper bulk head. I just tried two threaded connectors and a bunch of aquarium glue. When I went to connect the pvc the bottom cracked in three places.
But if you were able to get a piece of glass cut right why not just put a small thread of aquarium glue below and above the crack, as well as all the way around the sides, then lay down the piece on top while the glue was still wet. Add a little more glue on top of that and it sounds good.
WARNING, this is just my thoughts I have not repaired a tank. I'm not saying this would work, I'm asking why it wouldn't. (didn't want anyone reading part of this and taking it as I was an expert)
Jon
"I was thinking of getting a piece of glass and putting it right on top of the old one"
I was about to ask why that idea wasn't talked about more. I really want to know why this wouldn't work well.
Although the size and pressure are completely different from what your working with, I have have a 5.5g tank that I was considering repairing the same way. It was my first drilling project and I didn't buy a proper bulk head. I just tried two threaded connectors and a bunch of aquarium glue. When I went to connect the pvc the bottom cracked in three places.
But if you were able to get a piece of glass cut right why not just put a small thread of aquarium glue below and above the crack, as well as all the way around the sides, then lay down the piece on top while the glue was still wet. Add a little more glue on top of that and it sounds good.
WARNING, this is just my thoughts I have not repaired a tank. I'm not saying this would work, I'm asking why it wouldn't. (didn't want anyone reading part of this and taking it as I was an expert)
Jon
Mr. Ugly
New member
A thick piece of 2'x4' glass would be heavy and awkward to set inside the tank to glue in place. I could picture someone angling one edge in place and getting all their fingers cut off by the other edge as it lowers into the tank. You'd need to use those large vacuum suction grips for working with glass.
Vincerama2
Active member
Wouldn't it be easier to put a pane of glass UNDER the broken bottom?
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raddogz
Premium Member
I think if one is to repair you should do it right i.e. replace the broken bottom vs. the band-aid approach.
It might very well work, but my guess there is a reason why the tank sits on the rim of the trim vs. the bottom of the tank (at least on my 120g it does).
Nothing like 120g plus leaking all over the room.
It might very well work, but my guess there is a reason why the tank sits on the rim of the trim vs. the bottom of the tank (at least on my 120g it does).
Nothing like 120g plus leaking all over the room.
Gordonious
Active member
Mr. Ugly, good point, I had not thought about that part of it.
Vincerama2 if you put it under it I would think that there would be a greater chance of it leaking.
raddogz "I think if one is to repair you should do it right i.e. replace the broken bottom vs. the band-aid approach." Are you refering to the thoughts of just glueing it or what I was talking about. I don't see how taking away one floor and replacing it with one would be better. Slightly repairing/patching the one and putting a second bottom on I would think would be better. One solid piece good... One peice that would probably hold plus one solid piece even better. At least that is how I see it.
Again I just have to understand and justify. If I'd just major a major investment in a large tank and something happened like that, I as well would want to make sure I did the most affordable and safest thing as well.
I had pretty much thought my 5.5g was worthless accept for maybe using the sides as dividors for something else later. I might actualy just add a second sheet of glass or plastic now.
Vincerama2 if you put it under it I would think that there would be a greater chance of it leaking.
raddogz "I think if one is to repair you should do it right i.e. replace the broken bottom vs. the band-aid approach." Are you refering to the thoughts of just glueing it or what I was talking about. I don't see how taking away one floor and replacing it with one would be better. Slightly repairing/patching the one and putting a second bottom on I would think would be better. One solid piece good... One peice that would probably hold plus one solid piece even better. At least that is how I see it.
Again I just have to understand and justify. If I'd just major a major investment in a large tank and something happened like that, I as well would want to make sure I did the most affordable and safest thing as well.
I had pretty much thought my 5.5g was worthless accept for maybe using the sides as dividors for something else later. I might actualy just add a second sheet of glass or plastic now.
raddogz
Premium Member
Yup, I think gluing it on top or at the bottom vs. replacing the entire bottom would be my preference; however it's costly whether you replace it or repair it.
I would sleep better at night knowing I replaced it vs. hmmm.... I wonder if the silicone is going to hold?
On my 120g Oceanic that bottom piece is ridiculously thick - I can't tell since I put the bulkheads in already, but it was close to or is three-quarter inch thick.
The other concern is if the crack continues to spread across the tank even after you patch it or put down let's say quarter inch of glass would that quarter inch of glass now hold the weight of water plus rocks plus sand if any. It would be like a crack in a dam, you can attempt to patch it, but the water pressue is going to blow the patch out.
Solitaryensis - do you have to tear out the trim to get to the glass pane?
I would sleep better at night knowing I replaced it vs. hmmm.... I wonder if the silicone is going to hold?
On my 120g Oceanic that bottom piece is ridiculously thick - I can't tell since I put the bulkheads in already, but it was close to or is three-quarter inch thick.
The other concern is if the crack continues to spread across the tank even after you patch it or put down let's say quarter inch of glass would that quarter inch of glass now hold the weight of water plus rocks plus sand if any. It would be like a crack in a dam, you can attempt to patch it, but the water pressue is going to blow the patch out.
Solitaryensis - do you have to tear out the trim to get to the glass pane?
Gordonious
Active member
NO, no no no. lol sorry, I have a hard time balancing between being long winded and completly explaining myself. I am not saying put a thin sheet on top, or just a little piece over the crack. I am saying remove the frame on top, and slide in a peice that completly covers the bottom. Put on entire an new bottom, just don't break the seal of the old piece. Not a patch job, it is like replacing with out removing the old, leaving in there insted of throwing it out.
I think more then likly if he wants to safely repair it the trim has to come off somewhere so he can get a full piece in. No other way to completly seal new glass in.
I think more then likly if he wants to safely repair it the trim has to come off somewhere so he can get a full piece in. No other way to completly seal new glass in.
Vincerama2
Active member
Seriously, we need a picture of the crack!
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