Chip in glass....HELP!!!

[9supratt4]

I have what I hope is a small problem. I just picked up a 180Gallon tank and on the way home it got chipped on one of the corners. Is there anything I can do so that I can still use the tank?? Or will it be ok?? Can I fill it with epoxy??

Here's some pics......it didn't go nearly all the way through. It didn't even come close to the seal.









Please give me good news!!!!!!

[Playa-1]

Is that a stress crack or did something hit it?
How big is it?

[rjsilvers]

I think you'll be fine.

[overgrownaquatics]

Every glass tank that i own has a chip in it like this, no problems so far, but its the reason I'll never buy another glass tank. Acrylic all the way for me from now on!

[9supratt4]

The chip came from being on the back of a pick-up and bumping into the back of the cab.

[Playa-1]

The pics don't really show it very well. If the chip is not too deep and it's not running then I would be tempted to try and use a glass repair kit similar to a windshield repair process. If it's cracked and appears to be running then you need to get rid of it.
If the gash is deep then get rid of it.

[9supratt4]

I know what you mean with a glass repair kit, but the chip is on the corner, not in the middle of a pane. So that won't work.

[Playa-1]

That's a tough call.

[9supratt4]

So that's it?? No other opinions or suggestions??

[Achapman]

Well mine 180 AGA has the exact same thing. Been set up for over 2 years. So let's cross our fingers! I just filled it with epoxy and hoped for the best. So far so good. I think you will be okay but obviously its a risk. You decide if you want to take it or not.

[9supratt4]

Originally posted by Achapman
Well mine 180 AGA has the exact same thing. Been set up for over 2 years. So let's cross our fingers! I just filled it with epoxy and hoped for the best. So far so good. I think you will be okay but obviously its a risk. You decide if you want to take it or not.

You filled it with epoxy or silicone?? I have people saying that epoxy may make it worse at it cures.

[9supratt4]

I still a little concerned with this chip even though everyone has basically said it should be fine, so I took some more close-up pics.









I don't have $700.00 to put out for a new tank, so i'm REALLY hoping it will be ok!!

[Playa-1]

Being on the end like that I would personally replace it. But like Achapman said, it's a risk. It's your decision. If you can live with the consequences of a tank failure then go for it. It will probably be ok but then again it might have a complete failure when your out of town for two days, after you have it completely stocked.

It's just not worth it to me.

[9supratt4]

I have no idea what to do!! I got such a good deal on this tank and had to go and mess it up in the 15 minute ride home!! I want to slam my head into a wall!!!

[Zestay]

cost of new tank + cost of great deal tank is less than cost of replacing broken tank with new tank + livestock + carpet + floor + wife

[orgtizz]

Why not try filling it with fresh water (in a safe place) and churn it around a bit. See if the crack gets worse. If it does pitch it, if it doesn't then maybe it will be ok. Might be worth a try. I would hate to have 180gls all over my house!

[9supratt4]

Originally posted by orgtizz
Why not try filling it with fresh water (in a safe place) and churn it around a bit. See if the crack gets worse. If it does pitch it, if it doesn't then maybe it will be ok. Might be worth a try. I would hate to have 180gls all over my house!

That's mynext step.....as soon as I fill it with silicone.

[Playa-1]

Silicone in that chip is pointless and a waste of your time.

[rjsilvers]

The guy I bought my 180g tank from had two larger chips than this in two edges of the tank for 7 years in pretty much the same spot.

I'm using the same tank in my living room now. That's why I don't think it will be a big deal.

Another thing I was considering was siliconing pieces of black angle iron to the edges of the tank for reinforcement. This will also make the tank look better by covering the ugly chips with a clean piece of painted metal.

[FUA]

i have had a 55g with several corner chips with no problems set up for years. I think it will only be a problem if the chip was near the silicone.

[9supratt4]

Originally posted by rjsilvers
The guy I bought my 180g tank from had two larger chips than this in two edges of the tank for 7 years in pretty much the same spot.

I'm using the same tank in my living room now. That's why I don't think it will be a big deal.

Another thing I was considering was siliconing pieces of black angle iron to the edges of the tank for reinforcement. This will also make the tank look better by covering the ugly chips with a clean piece of painted metal.

Piece of black angle iron?? You mean a 90-degree piece of metal?? Would that even have an effect?

I was thinking about putting silicone in there just for appearance purposes.

[rjsilvers]

Yes a 90-degree piece of metal. I think siliconing it all the way up the edge of tank would provide a good deal of reinforcement.

Even if it didn't, it would hide the ugly chip.

[triggerjay]

I would silicone two peices of glass... One over the chip, and the other on the other pane of glass where it meets so the meet at 90*.. Is this one of the back corners of the tank or the front?

Jason

[ILoveReefer]

The 90-degree piece of metal over the corner ideal may work. But I think it would have to go over the 2 panes of glass with maybe an inch or two extra. Also It would have to aluminum or some other non-ferrous metal.

[Playa-1]

I think you should build a swimming pool and put the tank in the swimming pool in case it leaks