Help! Crack in my tank!

[rich99rich]

I have a 150g acrylic tank. I thought acrylic tanks are not supposed to crack, but I guess I'm unlucky. There is a crack on the top panel that has been creeping toward the front panel. In fact, it's at a point where it looks like it's touching the front panel. Will this crack continue on to the front panel, or will it stop? How do I make it stop?

 

[GraviT]

If the top panel is glued to the front, it should stop. If the top bends into the front, then it isn't likely to stop. Hope this makes some kind of sense.

 

[whiteshark]

Uh oh. Sounds like its time for a new tank. I wouldn't take the chance of losing everything and having a flood of mythic proportions in my living room. I don't know of a way of fixing this, maybe some1 else will, but I dont think there is a way.

 

[rich99rich]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6999761#post6999761 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GraviT
If the top panel is glued to the front, it should stop. If the top bends into the front, then it isn't likely to stop. Hope this makes some kind of sense.

The top is glued to the front, so I hope it stops! I am going to call the manufacturer to see if they can offer any tips.

 

[MCary]

Can you fill the crack with weld-on and fix it? Can you stop drill it?

 

[phlipper84]

was thinking of perhaps cutting the crack out. As long as it wasn't on one of the seams or cross-braces it should work. How thick is the acrylic?

 

[rich99rich]

I don't think I can cut the crack out, as it is right at the point where it intersects the front panel. I believe the acrylic is 1/2", but I am not certain. I will measure when I get home.

I don't think I can fill the crack because it looks too thin. It starts out relatively large, but by the time it gets to the front panel, it is super thin.

I did some research online, and it seems like the heat from metal halides can cause deficiencies in the acrylic, which is probably the case here.

 

[jjirsa78]

The force of the water out on the bottom of the acrylic front/back will cause the top of the front/back to push inward, which causes the top panel to bow upwards slightly. If you have a brace from front to back on the top, it's going to be subject to very significant pressure. Having MH lighting on that brace is a bad idea.

This is a very serious break. You may be able to repair it, but I'd very seriously consider lowering the volume in the tank to take pressure (weight) off, or find a way to brace the top - if you lose the top panel, you'll likely have a catastrophic failure.

 

[Sk8r]

You might (assuming the crack runs toward the tank-front dead-on) drill for nylon bolts and put a plexi plate over it, bolted down across the split. That might hold. On the other hand, have a lot of tubs and water ready and don't leave it unattended until you're pretty sure. If it reaches the front glass, it's going to bend it, I very much fear.