LF someone experienced to replace a chipped pane of glass on my new tank.

[lammy2012]

The tank is an Aqueon 150 gallon with 1/2" thick glass. The chip is located on the left panel where it meets the front pane about 4-5 inches from the bottom. The chip is about the size of a nickel. I bought the tank from a reputable LFS for an "as is" deal knowing it was chipped. They weren't too concerned over it, but I'm wondering if I should be. I've had the tank in my possession for about 2 months, but it's been sitting in my spare room awaiting my build. I'm in the beginning stages of prep now and wondering if I should continue with this tank. Tell me what you guys think.

I posted ^ that in the reef discussion tread and most of the responses were to just get a new tank. Looking for a cheaper route and would rather not get a used/scratched up tank. Anybody know anyone that could replace the chipped pane with a new pane professionally?

 

[lammy2012]

Here's some pics of the chip

View attachment 292659View attachment 292660

 

[lammy2012]

Anyone?

 

[CuzzA]

Sorry, but you won't find anyone locally that will help. It's hard to tell from the pic how big and deep the chip is, but it's clearly next to a seam and therefore I wouldn't use it. Unfortunately it's probably now just a "critter cage." And perhaps you can sell it as such and at least get a few buck to buy a new tank.

The only not safe alternative is to patch it with some epoxy, maybe JB weld or something and pray to the tank gods. I wouldn't do it.

 

[lammy2012]

Thanks. I'm beginning to deal with the fact that that's the reality of it. What really sucks is the LFS I bought it from is a VERY reputable place. I won't mention any names. My inexperience in the hobby can be seen by a blind person and was clear as day to them. I was told the chip was no big deal and my money was taken anyway. My fault though for impulse buying and not doing my research I guess.

 

[rogergolf66]

Not many people repair them very labor intensive. For the cost or repair it makes more since to get a new tank or repair it your self

 

[Postal]

It's hard to tell from the pics exactly how deep the chip goes.
However, I had a 120 tall that had 3 chips like that. It had been setup for several years that way when I got it, and I used it for another 10 or so years before selling it. Had no problems at all. All three chips were on the corners, but obviously none went to the silicone.
Just depends on how comfortable you are with the risk. Exterior chips are not automatically a death sentence for a tank.

Edit: Found pics of my old tank

 

[lammy2012]

The chip is on the inside of mine, into the silicone a little. I wouldn't be as concerned if it was on the outside.

 

[CuzzA]

I'm no tank builder, but if it didn't chip into the seam couldn't you cut some of the silicone back and just go to overkill town with some epoxy? Maybe some JB Weld, that stuff is rated at almost 4000 psi and it's reef safe once cured, like most epoxies. People have patched pools with success using that product. Then maybe go to overkill city with some silicone. I'd leak test it in a garage for a month just to be sure and if it didn't leak I'd think you'd be good to go. The sand bed will hide it so you won't have to see it everyday.

Just throwing it out there, I'm sure the feeling sucks.

 

[rfalvey89]

quick thought. If you have had it for 2 months empty ,I would think about throwing some water in it.

Start in the garage with a level stand. fill it 1/2 full with tap water or R/O & let it sit.
For awhile.
Then after another month or so ,fill it almost to the overflows.
( I assume that it has overflows ? ) Let it sit for another month.....if it doesn't leak then I would do something close to the above post w/JB Weld /Orca glue ,DOW Corning 795...etc

Personally I am not a fan of stripping silicone but I would reinforce it a bit. It might not be the most cosmetic fix.....

 

[djsmallz]

I was gonna buy that very same tank, I would reinforced the seam on that pane the best that I could and leak test it in the garage for a month or so water only with strong flow like a jebao rw15 on wave which would push the tank and make sure the seams would hold under regular tank conditions. Good luck

 

[lammy2012]

I'm no tank builder, but if it didn't chip into the seam couldn't you cut some of the silicone back and just go to overkill town with some epoxy? Maybe some JB Weld, that stuff is rated at almost 4000 psi and it's reef safe once cured, like most epoxies. People have patched pools with success using that product. Then maybe go to overkill city with some silicone. I'd leak test it in a garage for a month just to be sure and if it didn't leak I'd think you'd be good to go. The sand bed will hide it so you won't have to see it everyday.

Just throwing it out there, I'm sure the feeling sucks.

I'd love for some experienced people to advise on this^^ I've thought about doing this, but I guess I just need experienced reassurance. I absolutely love the tank. It's the perfect size for the location it's going to go in, not to mention I've invested 2 months of planning this build. I have new floors being installed in a month and the tank was going up immediately following. Only problem is that we're putting down laminate wood and the guy is doing tile just where the tank will be sitting. Since I'm also building the stand, that kinda had to be done before the flooring guy comes so I know the dimensions of the footprint. My wife's only demand (lol) is that it's done by Thanksgiving. We host Thanksgiving at our house every year. It's her favorite holiday. I'm leaning towards letting the tank go cheap and starting over. Aside from the floors getting done, we just did a few other modifications around the house. I'd NEVER hear the end of it from my wife if everything we just did got ruined. Stuck between a rock and a hard place.

 

[lammy2012]

I was gonna buy that very same tank, I would reinforced the seam on that pane the best that I could and leak test it in the garage for a month or so water only with strong flow like a jebao rw15 on wave which would push the tank and make sure the seams would hold under regular tank conditions. Good luck

If I choose to find another tank, this tank will be available if you're still interested in it. Lol

 

[ichthyman]

Steve,

Hmmmmm, both Chris and I remember the event very differently than you. I can assure you there was no subterfuge, mischievousness, or grand fist-bump celebrating our manipulation of yet another naïve soul. I can understand your concern, for it is a well-known fact that FAOIS has a long standing record of such predatory behavior. :angryfire:

The aquarium was accurately represented as having a small chip/divot that was siliconed over by the manufacturer and my exact words to you were "œI've seen aquariums with many times deeper chips in worse locations but yet those aquariums held water for many years without issue. Eventually, the tanks were broken down due to lack of interest but not structural failure.". Also, it was strongly suggested that you employ some of the very suggestions appearing in this post, ie perfectly flat level support from not only left to right but corner to corner and a prolonged water test in a garage or outside. The tank was sold "œAS-IS" at a price well below wholesale and you signed-off stating you understood the risk.

Where is the ruse? I truthfully represented both the aquarium and my experience with similar conditions gained over 30 years in the hobby/industry. Am I always correct, no. HOWEVER, with much humility and un-boastfulness as possible, I possess many times the experience, knowledge and skill relative to this hobby/industry than most of the disembodied "œexperts" on any forum, fish mongers in a LFS or a manufacturer's spieler schlepping schlocky products to hobbyists. I'm also confident that my uncompromising honesty routinely costs me opportunities that I could easily use my experience, knowledge and skill for financial gains.

I'm "œexposing" myself because Buyer's remorse is understandable but declaring victimhood and covert character assassination is entirely different. I will not remain silent when the integrity of FAOIS, ie ME, is called into question. I've damn well earned my reputation.

 

[Saliki]

LOL nice response :uzi::deadhorse::beer:

 

[rogergolf66]

Well my comment stands. Your title of the thread was the question that I was answering. Looking for someone to fix or replace pane of glass. I didn't see the question is it safe to use. Pictures of something like that is always very hard to tell how bad it it. From the title I didn't think u where even looking to use it that way. I had a 125 gal tank that I ran for years like that with no problems at all. Obviously you would have to take a chip at a case to case. One persons exsperiance can be very different based on where and how deep the chip is. That all being said nobody can say for sure yes it will be fine use it, but john is a good trustworthy guy and I'm sure he explained the risks. He has also seen this in person we have not. As I said hard to examine something like that in a pic.

You have gotten good advise and I would do the same. Leak test it in a safe place if it failed no damage would be caused.

 

[djsmallz]

If I choose to find another tank, this tank will be available if you're still interested in it. Lol

I was actually looking for a 210 when I saw that one if I hadn't found the 210 I would have gotten it, my current 120 has a couple of cracks no issues though I think I would be more afraid if the actual silicone was loose and not the chip itself after all is that what safeglass does for windshields, well injection anyway

 

[LiquidCache]

I've ran MANY tanks that had chips in them similar to this in almost the exact same spot. Buyers remorse perhaps? I'll take it off your hands if the price is right.

 

[TheAquatect]

Not sure if it was looked into but if the chip was there and silicone applied over it by the manufacturer (making it a manufacturer defect), wouldn't the manufacturer be responsible for its repair under warranty or under an implied warranty of merchantability/fitness?

 

[ichthyman]

Not sure if it was looked into but if the chip was there and silicone applied over it by the manufacturer (making it a manufacturer defect), wouldn't the manufacturer be responsible for its repair under warranty or under an implied warranty of merchantability/fitness?

No, the tank was sold AS-IS without a warranty of any kind. The purchaser also signed a statement acknowledging the conditions of sale.