Fixing a small crack?
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DaveBrader
Registered Member
That depends on how much of that 300 gallons you want on your floor someday.... 
If you would not like any of it on your floor, replace it...
Dave
If you would not like any of it on your floor, replace it...Dave
I took a better look at the tank on Sunday, the crack is actually on the back pane of glass and is in the 1st 1/4 inch of the glass. With the tank being made of 1/2 inch glass the crack does not even go into any part of the tank that touches water. It is about 3 inches long and runs vertically. Given the location of the crack is it safe to refill, and is just adding bracing or more silicone in the corner for added strength good enough? It really just looks life a long chip on the outside edge. I dont mind doing test fills in the back yard.
george1098
New member
thats a pretty awsome deal. I would find it hard to resist cracked or not. the thing is, is cracks can get worse with time, and siliconing it or bracing it will not help. If it is just a little nick on the outside of the glass, I bet it would be fine, but if it is actually a crack clear throught the glass, i think the pain should be replaced because it could spread.
sarduci
Premium Member
Find out who makes it and call them.
First, they'll tell you it's going to fail and they won't cover the broken tank. Everything else is your problem anyway when a tank breaks without warning, so all you'll really be out in addition to everything else is the $300 you paid for the tank.
Second, they will probably quote you a price for new glass if you send it to them, they fix it, and warranty it for 30 days. After that, you'll be on your own. Considering it's a 210g tank, shipping it in and back to you would be probably as expensive or more expensive than just buying a 210 tank when you run the risk of the shipping companies destroying it.
Upside: You bought a 210g time bomb that WILL fail.
Downside: You bring home a 210g bomb that goes off the day after you stock the entire tank and loose everything, in addition to all of the other equipment it will ruin. (heaters, dry running pumps, etc.) and posibility of fire or destroying other things like flooring, other electrical equipment, etc.
First, they'll tell you it's going to fail and they won't cover the broken tank. Everything else is your problem anyway when a tank breaks without warning, so all you'll really be out in addition to everything else is the $300 you paid for the tank.
Second, they will probably quote you a price for new glass if you send it to them, they fix it, and warranty it for 30 days. After that, you'll be on your own. Considering it's a 210g tank, shipping it in and back to you would be probably as expensive or more expensive than just buying a 210 tank when you run the risk of the shipping companies destroying it.
Upside: You bought a 210g time bomb that WILL fail.
Downside: You bring home a 210g bomb that goes off the day after you stock the entire tank and loose everything, in addition to all of the other equipment it will ruin. (heaters, dry running pumps, etc.) and posibility of fire or destroying other things like flooring, other electrical equipment, etc.
If this were a smaller tank and the chip is on the outside, I would probably go for it.
However, with the overall investment of this project far exceeding what the tank itself would be worth, I wouldn't risk it.
However, with the overall investment of this project far exceeding what the tank itself would be worth, I wouldn't risk it.
aaronpentz
New member
Look at glasscages.com they have 240G for around 630.
So after you buy the tank for 300 then replace the glass 1/2"thick which will probably cost you around 200-300 then the hassle of trying to fix it yourself. IMO you might as well buy a tank for a little more money and get a warranty. and get something that you know will not leak possibly after the first 5 mins of filling it up.
So after you buy the tank for 300 then replace the glass 1/2"thick which will probably cost you around 200-300 then the hassle of trying to fix it yourself. IMO you might as well buy a tank for a little more money and get a warranty. and get something that you know will not leak possibly after the first 5 mins of filling it up.
scarpenter
New member
I would use a product I found at petsmart called Aqua Med. Then try to fill the crack. Then fill with water to the crack line. Let it sit a couple days for observation.
outy
New member
i still would not chance it, pass on the whole deal.
my buddie got a tank made by a local guy who does great work. Nice tanks. well for 3 years anyway before a seam busted and sent 75g through his house and then proceeded to his tenents house below his.
do what you want, youve been warned against it. 210 has allot of pressure. now if you have the tank manufacture fix it by all means get it.
personaly if its for free id give it to a friend for a terrerium
my buddie got a tank made by a local guy who does great work. Nice tanks. well for 3 years anyway before a seam busted and sent 75g through his house and then proceeded to his tenents house below his.
do what you want, youve been warned against it. 210 has allot of pressure. now if you have the tank manufacture fix it by all means get it.
personaly if its for free id give it to a friend for a terrerium
jay24k
Active member
Talk to a glass shop. They will redo it for you and it won't cost too much. Just give them a call. I would not go with Glasscages no matter how cheap it is. You could put a piece across the whole back and silicone it on. I know of a guy who did that on the bottom of a tank and years later that thing is STILL going strong.
aaronpentz
New member
Take a picture of the crack. It might be better to see what type of crack it is.
Jay24K: Any reason to not go with glasscages?
Jay24K: Any reason to not go with glasscages?
i don't know why all the fuss about glasscages. i worked a a lfs that sold their tanks exclusivly without any problems. we also had a 500g show tank they built us that worked out great. they have a little messy silicone but for the price diff. i think anyone can deal with that. just my .02
pitt_prodigy
New member
I dont mean to kill a good thing here.... but i have to side with the rest who voted NAY on this "deal." 210g for $300.... rolls off the tongue nicely....UNTIL you get to the part about the crack!
My advice is..... take a look at the room you want to keep this in. Note the furnature... rugs.. coffee tables... any electronics you may have etc.... hell, walk into the adjoining rooms and take a look in there too (210g spreads a looonnnnnngggg way)
Get a gallon milk jug of water and sit it in the middle of the room. Now imagine what were to happen if you took said gallon of water and emptied it out in the middle of the floor. It would be a real mess (especially if it were salt water.) NOW take said mess and multiply it x 210! Not a mess any more.... definitely qualifies as a catastrophy! This would easily destroy everything within that room and cost you EASILY 10x what you paid for the tank.
We're not talking about a 10g nano or even a 55g which could easily wreck a room. ITS 210 GALLONS! Thats a whole lot o' water. And to think of all the time and energy.... not to mention $ that you would have invested into this thing.... it makes me literally ill to think about it. That would definitely qualify as a "why i got out of the marine hobby" post.
If you would get it and decide to replace the back panel... DEFINITELY get it done professionally. Not doubting you DIY'er qualifications here.... just saying that with what your going to have riding on these seams.... make sure its guaranteed.
For the price i can see why you were tempted... but i really hope you pass on this one.
My advice is..... take a look at the room you want to keep this in. Note the furnature... rugs.. coffee tables... any electronics you may have etc.... hell, walk into the adjoining rooms and take a look in there too (210g spreads a looonnnnnngggg way)
Get a gallon milk jug of water and sit it in the middle of the room. Now imagine what were to happen if you took said gallon of water and emptied it out in the middle of the floor. It would be a real mess (especially if it were salt water.) NOW take said mess and multiply it x 210! Not a mess any more.... definitely qualifies as a catastrophy! This would easily destroy everything within that room and cost you EASILY 10x what you paid for the tank.
We're not talking about a 10g nano or even a 55g which could easily wreck a room. ITS 210 GALLONS! Thats a whole lot o' water. And to think of all the time and energy.... not to mention $ that you would have invested into this thing.... it makes me literally ill to think about it. That would definitely qualify as a "why i got out of the marine hobby" post.
If you would get it and decide to replace the back panel... DEFINITELY get it done professionally. Not doubting you DIY'er qualifications here.... just saying that with what your going to have riding on these seams.... make sure its guaranteed.
For the price i can see why you were tempted... but i really hope you pass on this one.
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