Glass tank repair

[Mickey13]

Came across a beautiful 180.... But it has a horrible chip. Is this repairable or should I just skip it?

Unfortunately the broken pieces seem to be gone. Also the small chip worries me more than the bigger chip. Looks like i have to take apart the tank to get to the smaller one.

https://ibb.co/vYBR3XR

https://ibb.co/vYBR3XR

 

[1claire]

I feel like you should just get a new one instead of repairing an old tank.

 

[mcgyvr]

pass

 

[Mickey13]

thanks. i think you guys are right

 

[PCguy21]

I know what its like to be excited.. i have a 40 year old 135 with two chips. But they are small sliver thin chips that right there is a giant deep chip. I would pass on that. My moms 30g long has one like this in your pic and it seems to be fine.. but i worry one day itll crack... a 180g lol is much worse then a 30

 

[Mickey13]

I was thinking of resealing it and moving that chip to the back. Mending the smaller chip and giving it a go, but the seller is firm on the price and I was thinking of free or $50 considering.

I ended up picking up a 150 but it needs a new top frame. I wish the PO would have used a new bottom frame when he resealed it but price was right so I'll just live with it for now. I do plan on buying a new tank soon, something over 200g, but it has to wait until we finish remodeling the house.

 

[Mickey13]

Subscribed

 

[brian3]

Don't do it. After a friend's 150 used let go in the middle of the night and did thousands in damage used tanks are just not worth it let alone a damaged one.

 

[Mickey13]

What was wrong with your friend's 150? Just let go from age or some other issue?

The one I picked up was completely disassembled and structurally resealed with rtv. The only issue imo is that he didn't use a new bottom frame. It's one of those old AGA so neither frame had a brace. The top brace was toast so I need to find one which right now isn't happening. Only found two vendors and neither seems to be the right size. I might go eurobrace if I can find a deal on glass otherwise I'm not sure what to do.

 

[brian3]

Not sure what was wrong with his 150 but you never know how it was handled or twisted previously being used, ultimately it was a side seam that let go. Thousands in damage though and went in the middle of the night.

What was wrong with your friend's 150? Just let go from age or some other issue?

The one I picked up was completely disassembled and structurally resealed with rtv. The only issue imo is that he didn't use a new bottom frame. It's one of those old AGA so neither frame had a brace. The top brace was toast so I need to find one which right now isn't happening. Only found two vendors and neither seems to be the right size. I might go eurobrace if I can find a deal on glass otherwise I'm not sure what to do.

 

[Mickey13]

That really sucks. I talked to my wife about this tank and we came up with a plan. We are going up figure out the top bracing. The guy who resealed did a great job, looks like anyway. Rtv103, all seams equal about the width of a tie wrap and absolutely no glass touching.

We're going to move it out to the deck and water test it there for a month. We'll put a foam mat down just in case deck isn't true. If it holds, them we will bring it in and keep it in our front room where it can't cause to much damage.

If it fails, then we will take it to the glass shop and either cut 10" off every piece making it a 100g 72×18×18 or cut 2 feet off the 72 sides and make it a heavy duty 65 48x18x18. 5/8 all around

Currently front and rear panes are 5/8 and sides are 1/2

 

[ltlevil]

I know you passed on this but just FYI, the chip isn't what would bother me by itself. The fact that there are radial stress cracks around the chipped area, along with the other chipped spots make me believe it was dropped/something dropped on it at least once. Then you have to consider every time it has been moved/filled/unfilled causing these areas to further propagate. Think of having a rock chip in a windshield, every time you close the windows and the vehicle heats up it causes the chipped area to cycle eventually becoming a crack. On top of all this, this is only what you visibly see. Just something to consider...

 

[Mickey13]

Thanks! I will definitely keep an eye on the stress marks next time. I don't foresee getting another used taboo but you never know. There was a chip what looked like in the center that really bothered me. Anyway, I did order the 72x18 frame and will let you guys updated on the 150. We are going to do a month long water test but I'm confident in the reseal because the guy who did it runs around 10 tanks in his basement and is constantly doing reseals.

I know you passed on this but just FYI, the chip isn't what would bother me by itself. The fact that there are radial stress cracks around the chipped area, along with the other chipped spots make me believe it was dropped/something dropped on it at least once. Then you have to consider every time it has been moved/filled/unfilled causing these areas to further propagate. Think of having a rock chip in a windshield, every time you close the windows and the vehicle heats up it causes the chipped area to cycle eventually becoming a crack. On top of all this, this is only what you visibly see. Just something to consider...