Insult to injury! Tank cracked!

[Lizy]

Ok so I'm a newbie here; gather all my info to start my new tank which I purchased on offer up, Yes a used 65 gallon tank. When I picked it up it was night and I honestly didn't see this crack, I think it may have happened on the way home in the bed of the pick up maybe the hand truck bumped it I don't know! I'm just starting, on a serious budget and now possibly out what I paid is really painful and stressful. After much Google search I think it can be repaired with a glass patch. Here are pictures of the crack taken from the back, side and front. The crack is on the back, so the repairs wouldn't be seen since it would be facing the wall and have rock in front.

I'm thinking a 1/4" glass (same as tank) 6" wide by 27" long on the inside (water pressure World be from the inside out)..... Ge sc5000 silicone from what i googled...... Thoughts please

This picture is the back, not Sure why but the photo uploaded upside down

 

[Lizy]

Side view, again flipped photo

 

[Lizy]

Front view, again flipped photo

 

[Flippers4pups]

I hate to say this, but that tank is non-useable. Do not attempt to repair it. Putting a "patch"on the crack will not keep the glass from cracking more. Sorry. Better to replace it at this point.

 

[davocean]

It's trashed, besides having a crack that will probably spread regardless of any type of patch you can see silicone crumbling like it looks like someone tried to reseal it improperly.

Petco dollar a gallon sale, that would be my move

 

[Flippers4pups]

I second the petco dollar sales. A 40 gal breeder is a great size to start with. Cheep and plenty of new reefers use them.

 

[Lizy]

I read on another post to drill a hole at the end of the crack to stop the crack from growing. Obviously doing that, the patch and even redoing will be cheaper IMO. What do you guys think about that? I mean I can get the glass for free (called a local glass Store and they told me to just go pick it up) and the drill bit and silicone will be under $20 I can fill it with water (no salt) and see what happens for the next couple of days!

 

[gone fishin]

I personally think it is a bad idea to patch it. If your determined to do it then I would set it up in a garage so when it leaks it will not ruin a good floor.

 

[Desert Sea]

Unfortunately, as the others have said, that tank is not worth messing with. It's not a matter of if it will leak but when. Your best bet is to start with a new/another tank.

If that tank lets go in your home, the potential value of the damage it could cause is easily tenfold the cost of another tank. Not worth the risk. Having to repair your home from damages caused by a leak kinda negates the enjoyment of the hobby!!

 

[Darryl Hey]

its toast get a new one it CANNOT be repaired

 

[billdogg]

IF you decide to repair it, please set it up outside, and keep a webcam on it 24/7 so that when (not if) it fails, we can watch!

The ONLY way to repair that would be to replace the entire panel. To do that, you must disassemble the entire tank (all 5 panels), clean them of all traces of old silicone, and then put it all back together.

 

[OllieNZ]

Stop drilling a crack is no guarantee that it will stop propagating, assuming that you don't blow the pane trying to drill it. I'm with the others sorry, spend $40 on a 40 breeder and have peace of mind.

 

[Flippers4pups]

I read on another post to drill a hole at the end of the crack to stop the crack from growing. Obviously doing that, the patch and even redoing will be cheaper IMO. What do you guys think about that? I mean I can get the glass for free (called a local glass Store and they told me to just go pick it up) and the drill bit and silicone will be under $20 I can fill it with water (no salt) and see what happens for the next couple of days!

Even when I was just starting out in the freshwater hobby as a teen, I knew better than use a cracked tank or even try to repair it. Just not worth having water all over the floor and loosing everything in it. This hobby is just too expensive to risk it.

Many here have tried to reseal a tank, some successful, others not successful. As billdogg stated, you have to remove ALL panels of glass, clean them completely of old silicone and reseal with aqurium silicone. I've been in this hobby a long time and have done many DIY projects in that time, but never attempted resealing a tank and don't ever want to try it.

Ether you come to grips with the fact that your tank is toast and look for another useable tank and go from there or reconsider this as a hobby you may not want to try.

 

[Sk8r]

Total sympathy on this one: if losing a tank before fish is bad, it's so much worse losing your fish/corals AND the floor. I'd say wait, save up, and go to Petco (the sales are frequent.) You're also in Florida, and there are reef clubs there: join one. THink of it as a user's group on something pretty complex, who will have similar interests, and who certainly will not look down on a beginner. You may find somebody with a good tank to sell, you'll find advice, help, and people who have old equipment (skimmers, pumps, etc) they'll be happy to sell for a modest price. And you'll learn sooooooooo much that will save you wasted money and dead fish before you even put water in the new tank. Here's a link that includes FLoridian clubs: http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=535

 

[LXXero]

Would not try to repair it, agree with others here. You'd have to cut out the panels, take off all the rim and silicone, re-do all the silicon, etc...you'd basically be building an entirely new tank, that amount of effort is just too much.

Was this a 36x18" 65 gal? or a 4ft? If it's a 3ft... a 40B or 50G (or even another 65) would be a suitable replacement that takes up about the same footprint.

 

[Lizy]

Ok Ok so it doesn't take much convincing all Nays and one Yay! Off to find a new tank LOL.

@LXXero It is a 36x18...........

 

[Flippers4pups]

I apologize if I came off harsh, but I don't want you to fail. Go slow and take your time building your reef!(My current build took one whole year to get wet!)

With that said, I hope you enjoy this hobby as much as we do! The best of luck to you! Happy reefing!

 

[Ou8me2]

Now only if the Petco sale didn't end on August 6th he would be set. They usually have them about ever 2-3 months.

I will agree with all the Nays and it's better to be safe than sorry later.

 

[Lizy]

Flippers4pups no worries I'm glad I joined and that I can have expert opinion and assistance trust me it makes a huge difference especially to a know nothing newbie!

Ou8me2: he is actually a she so maybe as a she I can go down to Petco and get a nice discount and use coupons and get an amazing deal :inlove::inlove:

 

[davocean]

Flippers4pups no worries I'm glad I joined and that I can have expert opinion and assistance trust me it makes a huge difference especially to a know nothing newbie!

Ou8me2: he is actually a she so maybe as a she I can go down to Petco and get a nice discount and use coupons and get an amazing deal :inlove::inlove:

No now that you changed your avatar to a good looking girl someone will probably offer to fix your cracked panel for free!

You have no idea how many times I've thought about changing my avatar...