Scratches on Glass: Critical? & How can I tell?

[Khai]

I just picked up an Oceanic 46 gallon Bowfront for a good deal at PetSmart. What I couldn't see in the store under the flourescents was a small scratch/crack.

I'll post pictures as soon as I can get decent ones.

My question is, how can I tell if its a scratch or a crack? The scratch/crack is almost hairline in nature, right at the base of the tank bottom. I haven't filled the tank with water, but I'm not pysched on seeing myself proved wrong with H20 all over the floor of my apartment. Its 30 degrees outside, so I can't really fill it up outside either.

Any advice guys?

 

[JimR]

Fill it in the bathtub/shower?

I hope the good deal wasnt because it was cracked. I dont know if it could be siliconed up, because usualy a crack will travel. Kind of like a cracked windshield. Once the glass has been compromised, it's not going to be safe.

 

[Khai]

Thats good advice Jim, I'll fill it up in the shower. Sadly, the good deal was just a low price ($170...). I didn't notice the scratch/crack till I got the tank home (doh!).

Is there a good way to distingush whether or not I have a crack or just a scratch? From what I can see, the scratch appears to be superficial.

 

[JimR]

Do they have any more? Maybe you could take that one back and get one without the worries of a crack?

If it's just a scratch, you should be ok. Sometimes a very fine crack can look like a scratch though, kind of hard to tell sometimes.

 

[Starscream]

Check to see if there is a tag or sticker that says if the bottom pane is tempered. If it is, it's prolly not a crack as this would cause it to immediatly shatter as would a major scratch for that matter.

 

[JimR]

Oh yea...when you fill it up in the shower, the bottom must sit on a flat, even surface all the way around. Other wise, you could get a stress crack from the weight of the water.

 

[Khai]

Crap. That will be difficult. I'll see what I can do.

How long would it have to be full in order to provide a good indication on how its going to do?