Help fixing an acrylic tank

[dcforester1]

I am in the process of switching tanks, and moving my livestock to my old SeaClear 75gal tank. I left it outside and got about 2 in of ice in the bottom. I cleaned it and filled it, and I noticed a leak. I flipped it over and about 4in from the back wall I have a 3in crack. The crack is along the back wall of the tank.

I have a couple of questions about fixing this. I was just going to use Weldon 4 in the seam, and leave it for a day. After that I was going to take an acrylic sheet and bond it to the complete bottom, then route the edge with a flush trim bit. I didnt know if it mattered what size acrylic(1/4-3/8in) to use for this since its not going to be structural, just more of a big patch. I was also wondering if it mattered what type of acrylic I would have to use, or any type would work (extruded or cast). The bottom had paper on it, and is kind of a mess. Would it mattered if I sanded it smooth with 220, other than looking cloudy. I also was wondering should I bond the bottom with Weldon 4 or 16, and can you bond a sheet to another sheet making it doubled up?

I was originally just going to use the weldon 4 on the crack as I am going to use it for about a month. Once I started cleaning it it looked good so I buffed it out, and removed all the scratches. Maybe I should have checked it first.

TIA Derek

 

[dcforester1]

This is a picture of it

 

[tkeracer619]

I honestly wouldn't use the tank. The ice may have weakened another point on the tank that hasn't broken yet.

I've seen people route the acrylic and use weldon 40 to fill the crack. I've also seen the lamination trick. It can work and if this is for only a month maybe you decide the risk is worth it.

Personally, I would get a new tank and I don't really say that too often. The work you sound like you are ready to put into it may not be worth it. Would hate to see you go through all of that and loose a seam. If you do it I would consider using an internal eurobrace around the inside bottom in case any of those seams are weak.

 

[slief]

I honestly wouldn't use the tank. The ice may have weakened another point on the tank that hasn't broken yet.

I've seen people route the acrylic and use weldon 40 to fill the crack. I've also seen the lamination trick. It can work and if this is for only a month maybe you decide the risk is worth it.

Personally, I would get a new tank and I don't really say that too often. The work you sound like you are ready to put into it may not be worth it. Would hate to see you go through all of that and loose a seam. If you do it I would consider using an internal eurobrace around the inside bottom in case any of those seams are weak.

+ 1. Using this tank is just asking for a disaster.

I hate to say it but this tank needs to be tossed. Notice that I didn't say "should" be tossed. Any advice to the contrary is poor advice.

 

[dcforester1]

I honestly wouldn't use the tank. The ice may have weakened another point on the tank that hasn't broken yet.

I've seen people route the acrylic and use weldon 40 to fill the crack. I've also seen the lamination trick. It can work and if this is for only a month maybe you decide the risk is worth it.

Personally, I would get a new tank and I don't really say that too often. The work you sound like you are ready to put into it may not be worth it. Would hate to see you go through all of that and loose a seam. If you do it I would consider using an internal eurobrace around the inside bottom in case any of those seams are weak.

I am ordering a tank from Miracles this is just to hold livestock and it will be in tan unfinished basement. I was going to fill it and see how it did. Maybe it isn't worth it. The sad part is, I ALREADY did the work. It looks perfect, like a new tank, minus the crack. LOL


I don't know if this makes a difference, but that seam isn't the actual back wall of the tank. Its a SeaClear tank and that is under the false wall in the tank. The section between the DT, and the return in the back. So its in from the back about four inches. Maybe another pic would explain better, or still you think NG?
Thanks

 

[tkeracer619]

It scares me, dang that sucks you already polished it out. Ice is rough on tanks.

I would grab a rubbermaid stock tank for cheep at a livestock supply house.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/sto...am-stock-tanks-100-gal--capacity?cm_vc=-10005

 

[dcforester1]

Let me know if this sounds more scary, or as my wife thought nuts. First off I hate throwing anything out, so I came up with this. I am a pretty good woodworker and have everything I would need. What if I was to build a rail system and use my router to cut the bottoms off? I am sitting here wondering why not? I could use a flush trim bit set to 3/8ths and just run it across the seams. I might not even need rails just use the bottom of the tank as a guide. It would be a pain to glue up with all the baffles inside, but doable. Im wondering now has anyone ever cut the bottom off a tank that way?

Let me know what you think

Thanks Derek

 

[dcforester1]

No one wants to touch this I guess LOL I will let you know if it works