Tank Broke!

[Sk8r]

I'd also check the level of the tank with a carpenter's level to be sure it hasn't tilted since being filled originally.

 

[JmLee]

yeah thats a good idea sk8r. Epoxy is strong but still. If it broke then 1) either the tank has a defect or is poor quality ( if this was the case i would replace it immediatley ) or 2) it broke due to something with over stocking or at owners fault for some reason ( which im sure its not ). My opinion all around is just replace the tank. If money is a issue which in this hobby usually is. Fix it for now but replace ASAP.

 

[noreason]

i will replace it since my fish are already back in the other tank. i wouldnt want to have to do this again in a month.

 

[smorrow5773]

Epoxy is used for bonding glass, is actually stronger than glass, but if you want to get a new tank it is up to you. I broke mine by dropping my light fixture on top of it. The glass bowed about 3/4 inch, I drained to half full, smeared epoxy, clamped, filled er up, been over two months now. By the way, my tank is 24" tall hence more pressure on the brace. I have absolutely no worries or concerns, people do this all the time to install clear center supports so their lights don't cast shadows.

 

[noreason]

what type of epoxy did you use that is 'for bonding glass'?

 

[smorrow5773]

Walmart, lowes, home depot, it is with the super glues, two part 5min epoxy, clear. Any of those type of two part epoxies are made to bond glass, plastic, acrylic, ceramic, stone, metal, etc. It is permanent so don't get it on any other areas, it won't scrape off without scratching glass. Use masking tape to prevent making a mess if you are worried, just remove the tape before it sets. They also have 1 min epoxy, but you have to work very fast and isn't as strong, if your tank is drained out and you have a clamp, 30 min epoxy is stronger, but if you have to hold the pieces together, use 5 min, it will be plenty strong.

 

[Mikeeal]

You can get a 55G at Petco/smart for $99.

 

[MacnReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6963012#post6963012 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JmLee
Yeah but I bet you, you will find more cases of glass tank failing then acrylic tanks.

There is also a lot more glass tanks out there.

-Mike

 

[trippyl]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6962435#post6962435 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MacnReef
For now, get some clamps and clamp the tank until you get a replacement.

Mike

Mike, no offense but you are out of your mind. But hey, if clamping glass sounds like a good idea to some, they are totally free to try it.

 

[Aquatic Noggin]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6967384#post6967384 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by trippyl
Mike, no offense but you are out of your mind. But hey, if clamping glass sounds like a good idea to some, they are totally free to try it.

I've done this before and it works. I put a large clamp above the center brace on the top of a 55G tank because the brace was getting brittle and looked like it was ready to break. It's not pretty but neither is a flooded floor...

 

[MacnReef]

I have never been more in my mind!!! :lol:

I have actually seen it done before when someone was changing their brace to a acrylic brace with a full tank.

-Mike

 

[trippyl]

thats great. I've seen a man swallow a sword before but i wouldn't try it. Another guy sawed a lady in half.

Remember that simply placing a glass tank on an unlevel stand will cause it to break. Why? The glass is not designed to hold that much weight focused on a single point. Do you think that using a clamp to pull the glass in against the weight of the water is a good idea? If so I got a bridge to sell you.

 

[MacnReef]

Yes I do, so I will take a look at that bridge.

A clamp would work no different than a brace and how you see it any different is beyond me.

But all of this is for another time or thread.

-Mike

 

[trippyl]

Of course its totally different. Tanks are manufactured with a frame and brace. The frame spreads the load of the center brace across the entire aquarium.

You cannot compare a clamp placed by a hobbyist on an already damaged tank to the framing and center brace that the tank is designed with. Well you can but it would be crazy to do so.

To the poor guy whose tank we are speaking of, do yourself a favor, drain the tank asap and get a new one.

 

[rickh]

Please get a new tank. If that thing breaks it can cause thousands of dollars damage to your house.

 

[RichConley]

You people are all paranoid.

Drain the tank, put a new brace on. This isnt rocket science. Its a cross brace.

I'd personally trust a brace I had put on more than one on a $99 tank. (and that 99 includes the petstore's take, and the shipping across the country, which is probably $40.)

The clamps will also hold fine. I know someone whos frag tank is a 90g that he cut the brace out of, and put bar clamps on it. Its been like that for 10 years +.