is a small crack a big problem

[Vegas RN]

got a very small crack when my tank was drilled today. the crack goes inline with the circle cut out apx 1/4 in if that. I put some window repair resin and it filled in the crack some but its still there. the bulkhead covers the crack and did not get bigger with hand tightning it. the crack in question will be behind an overflow so water preasure should be a problem. I guess ill keep an eye on it and see how it goes. my camera is mia right now but will try to take a pic soon.
PS thanks Brian for the help today. he was nice enough to take time off of work to drill the hole for me. He feels bad about it but i told him if i were to do it i would have cracked the tank down the middle. lol . again brian thanks. and if anyone has any recommendations ill appriciate it.

 

[reefinmike]

if its only a 16 gallon i wouldnt risk it, get a new tank. dont want to risk all your livestock days, weeks, months or years down the road.

 

[Vegas RN]

brand new oceanic 30 gal. Im just going to keep an eye on it but thanks for the post. Ill keep a good sized rubbermaid tub just in case . im also going to fabricate an overflow so max amount of water would be limited. unless the whole back fx.:eek2:

 

[jmkarcz]

It'll grow. I gar-owwwn--tee.

J

 

[42]

Grow is what cracks do, and once the reach a critical length.....

 

[xtrstangx]

It will grow until until theres something that stops it (generally the edge of the pane of glass)

I've read you can drill a small hole at the very end of the crack or right next to the end and the crack will stop. However doing this underneath a bulkheads seal isn't a great idea, IMO.

 

[jmccalip]

Ever get a crack in your windshield? It grows...

 

[RichConley]

get a smaller piece of glass, like 4"x4". Silicon it over the hole. Drill new hole in new glass. Done.


Drill a small hole at the end of the crack, that'll keep it from spreading.

 

[jmkarcz]

Until it grows larger than the patch. I'm sorry, the truth is, that you can treat it with all the kindness in the world, but put away a dollar a day, until you can replace it. The only tank I ever had do this, I had an entire new back panel made and laminatined both together with silicone, but it eventually got to that point.


J

 

[stugray]

I Say trash it.

A replacement now is in your best interest, and you can probably pick one up for free or ~$1 per gallon used.

The truth is that smaller tanks are harder to drill due to the thinner glass.

I drilled two holes in a 35 gal, but I used the dremmel method and enlarged the hole slowly. The hole saw method is very tricky with thin glass ( you didnt say which method was used ).

Stu