Glass chip on edge of tank

Reefpuck · 09/30/2017, 10:55 PM

Really hoping to get some opinions on this. I'm helping my buddy setup a 180g, and we noticed one of the back corners had piece of glass that chipped off. Not sure what happened (something must have smacked the corner).

This is a typical Aqueon tank w/ the plastic bracing. Would putting the glass piece that chipped off back on with some silicone be sufficient? We're not worried about the aesthetic aspect...just the structural integrity.

JTL · 10/01/2017, 08:01 AM

That does not look good!

James404 · 10/01/2017, 08:13 AM

Looks like a vertical crack in the pane, I wouldn't trust it, especially with 180g of water.

Reefpuck · 10/01/2017, 08:56 AM

Unfortunately that's what I was thinking too. The crack doesn't go past the silicone...but who knows what could happen. Is there any way to repair this?

Reefpuck · 10/01/2017, 01:25 PM

Anyone else have thoughts?

billdogg · 10/01/2017, 01:29 PM

Looks like a fine reptile tank to me. I wouldn't put water in it even to test it. The length of the crack means that a substantial portion of the tank is at risk of blowout.

Can it be replaced? Sure, but that in itself is a pretty big job with no margin of error. Personally, I'd get a new tank.

Goss · 10/01/2017, 01:36 PM

No way. Get rid of it and get a new one. Even if it did work the point of a reef tank is to be relaxing and all. I couldn't feel calm knowing my tank was compromised in any way. It would always creep in the back of my mind.

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scchase · 10/01/2017, 02:47 PM

Since it was in the back I would buy a small piece of 1/2" glass and laminate it over the cracked area, ran a 350g with a similar crack and repair for almost 7 years that way before I sold it.

Louis Z · 10/01/2017, 02:51 PM

I would love to use that glass as a front to a vertical reptile enclosure

Reefpuck · 10/01/2017, 03:27 PM

Thanks for all the input!

Reefpuck · 10/01/2017, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scchase

Since it was in the back I would buy a small piece of 1/2" glass and laminate it over the cracked area, ran a 350g with a similar crack and repair for almost 7 years that way before I sold it.

I have some leftover glass from a 20g... would that work? I'm guessing put a piece over the side and back...to basically make a new corner?

Aslmx · 10/01/2017, 04:44 PM

Go to a glass company and ask. My friend that owns a glass company said he has some epoxy that you can hit with a sledge hammer and it won't break. It's just 180 gallons of water. It's not like a major disaster is going to happen.

ca1ore · 10/01/2017, 09:22 PM

Nobody can tell you with any certainty that it will hold, or that it will fail. Ultimately it's up to you to shoulder the risk, or not. 180 gallons of salt water goes a long way, and makes a big mess. If it were me, I wouldn't risk it. It's not so much a chip as its a crack.

Joe0813 · 10/02/2017, 01:03 PM

id trash it.... no way id trust fixing that

billdogg · 10/02/2017, 05:24 PM

Looking closer at the pictures - Is that crack in the second picture just in the paint or does it involve the glass as well? If that whole visible section involves the glass, it's not even a viable reptile tank.

10/01/2017, 08:01 AM	#2
JTL Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Venice Island, FL Posts: 2,532	That does not look good! __________________ John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+.

10/01/2017, 08:13 AM	#3
James404 I <3 Acros Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 2,523	Looks like a vertical crack in the pane, I wouldn't trust it, especially with 180g of water. __________________ 80g Deep Blue Rimless - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2651295 225g Reef Savvy SPS Dominant - Retired http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1945361

10/01/2017, 08:56 AM	#4
Reefpuck Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Georgetown, TX Posts: 1,122	Unfortunately that's what I was thinking too. The crack doesn't go past the silicone...but who knows what could happen. Is there any way to repair this? __________________ Josh Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef w/ 55g sump/fuge.

10/01/2017, 01:25 PM	#5
Reefpuck Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Georgetown, TX Posts: 1,122	Anyone else have thoughts? __________________ Josh Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef w/ 55g sump/fuge.

10/01/2017, 01:29 PM	#6
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	Looks like a fine reptile tank to me. I wouldn't put water in it even to test it. The length of the crack means that a substantial portion of the tank is at risk of blowout. Can it be replaced? Sure, but that in itself is a pretty big job with no margin of error. Personally, I'd get a new tank. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

10/01/2017, 01:36 PM	#7
Goss Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Valley Center, Ca. Posts: 222	No way. Get rid of it and get a new one. Even if it did work the point of a reef tank is to be relaxing and all. I couldn't feel calm knowing my tank was compromised in any way. It would always creep in the back of my mind. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10/01/2017, 02:47 PM	#8
scchase Premium Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Aurora CO USA Posts: 1,402	Since it was in the back I would buy a small piece of 1/2" glass and laminate it over the cracked area, ran a 350g with a similar crack and repair for almost 7 years that way before I sold it.

10/01/2017, 02:51 PM	#9
Louis Z Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Montgomery Posts: 1,257	I would love to use that glass as a front to a vertical reptile enclosure

10/01/2017, 03:27 PM	#10
Reefpuck Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Georgetown, TX Posts: 1,122	Thanks for all the input! __________________ Josh Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef w/ 55g sump/fuge.

10/01/2017, 04:44 PM	#12
Aslmx Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Cullman,alabama Posts: 329	Go to a glass company and ask. My friend that owns a glass company said he has some epoxy that you can hit with a sledge hammer and it won't break. It's just 180 gallons of water. It's not like a major disaster is going to happen.

10/01/2017, 09:22 PM	#13
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Nobody can tell you with any certainty that it will hold, or that it will fail. Ultimately it's up to you to shoulder the risk, or not. 180 gallons of salt water goes a long way, and makes a big mess. If it were me, I wouldn't risk it. It's not so much a chip as its a crack. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

10/02/2017, 01:03 PM	#14
Joe0813 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Boston strong Posts: 2,766	id trash it.... no way id trust fixing that __________________ Joe and Jenny Current Tank Info: 180 reef

10/02/2017, 05:24 PM	#15
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	Looking closer at the pictures - Is that crack in the second picture just in the paint or does it involve the glass as well? If that whole visible section involves the glass, it's not even a viable reptile tank. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer