calling all glass experts! help please pics included

scubasteve247 · 01/08/2007, 12:28 PM

i need some help guys, i was given a 40 gallon cube yesterday. it was free because it had been slightly cracked, i was wondering how i should go about repairing this, the crack is at the bottom corner, about a half inch from the black trim. i was told a few differnt things, and i dont know what to do, someone told me to drill a small hole at the end of the crack to keep it from spreading, another told me to just silicone it from leaking and another told me to just cover the crack on the inside with a square of glass held in place with silicone. anyone out there work on glass or have some advice?

thatguy · 01/08/2007, 12:33 PM

Replace that piece of glass. If it was at the top you might be able to get away with the glass over the top. I don't think I'd risk it unless it was replaced.

good luck

scubasteve247 · 01/08/2007, 12:39 PM

yeah i wish it was at the top, if it came to taking that pane of glass off i would replace it or just flip it over so the crack was at the top.
but i dont have a lot of money at the moment, at all. college is expensive, so im trying to figure out how to repair it, plus i like diy stuff.

anyone else have a idea? thank you

scubasteve247 · 01/08/2007, 01:27 PM

anyone?

olemos · 01/08/2007, 01:46 PM

The best will be replacing it, the other way is get 2 pieces of glass about 4"x4" (doesn't have to be exact ) remove inside silicone to the size of glass piece you will be using, then silicone the pieces of glass one on the inside and the other on the outside, be generous on the silicone, allow a week to cure and you should be ok but keep a eye on the crack.
When placing your rock, arrange it in a way so you don't see the repair.

scubasteve247 · 01/08/2007, 01:55 PM

yeah thats what i was thinking, patch it and just cover it up in the back, not sure if it matters, but the tank dimensions are 20x20x24

thanks olemos!

anyone else have a opinion???

Mustang394 · 01/08/2007, 02:02 PM

Replacing the piece of glass would be your best option as it is more than likely not tempered you should be able to get a replacement piece for less than 10 bucks at any glass shop (well can here atleast) The patch ideas mentioned earlier work great if you can hide the patch job behind rock work etc.. Have patched the bottom of many a tank this way with no problems.

scubasteve247 · 01/08/2007, 02:08 PM

ok great, hiding the patch is no problem at all, and yes its not tempered, thanks guys, if anyone else has a Opinion feel free to chime in, as of now ill simply be patching the inside as well as the outside

scubasteve247 · 01/08/2007, 10:24 PM

bump

tropical lyle · 01/09/2007, 07:49 PM

^^^^^

2swift · 01/09/2007, 08:00 PM

A patch may hold but that's your call you have gotten advice both way's but ultimately you have to be the one to pay if it fails.
You have to chose and I hate to say this but pay now or pay later.
But this to is JMO.

scubasteve247 · 01/09/2007, 08:25 PM

thanks guys, if anyone else has a opinion, please feel free to chime in, i wont be working on this till the weekend so i would like some more feedback.

kookerson · 01/09/2007, 09:41 PM

I JUST went through this same problem about a week ago when I was building my sump, my clamps were a little too tight and I put a slight crack in the tank........believe me, just replace that pane of glass. You really have no idea how weak glass can get once it has even the tiniest flaw in it! No drilling, covering or siliconing......it'll be a pain in the @$$ to replace it, but it will save you MUCHO money and heartache in the end! : )

reefer_man_mike · 01/09/2007, 10:34 PM

if you fill the tank the way it is... soon enough.. maybe not right away it will blow. That crack will spread. It will be easier to take it off and flip it or just replace it

PrivateJoker64 · 01/09/2007, 10:56 PM

Replace the glass. Call a local glass shop, it will surprise you how cheap it is!

MaGNuS042 · 01/09/2007, 10:59 PM

that crack is DEFINATELY going to run. either replace or drill a hole before you patch. a patch alone is not enough!!

scubasteve247 · 01/09/2007, 11:01 PM

so how would i go about flipping the glass over?

for ex taking off the brace's
keeping the other pieces from seperating?

coralsandbar · 01/09/2007, 11:15 PM

get a new tank and start over....I've been there and done that only to repair...repair and repair....3x over... 4 water changes and top offs due to leaks.

coralsandbar · 01/09/2007, 11:16 PM

little sleep between....to add to it.

Glove · 01/09/2007, 11:24 PM

Very thin razor blades! like the kind used in window film applications (window tint). I have some that were made in germany and are very thin. You will need to make several passes on each seam. Dont try to force the blade between the panels-the thickness will create pressure and could chip or crack another panel. Let the blade cut into the silicone a little with each pass. You will see the panels let go of each other sooner or later.
The real trick is to cut the frame away from the glass and not roach (destroy) the frame or the good glass in the process. I would try doing the top first.
The other panels will be fine left connected to each other and the bottom.
Clean the ends of all the old silicone- and then scrape and clean again lol. After you cleaned the remaining sides and bottom as good as you possibly can -do it again.(ALL silicone must be removed!) ...then wipe it with acetone. I always wipe it with some de-natured alcohole right before I assemble.

*if you can get the frames off (top and bottom need to be removed) it might be easier f you try to go ahead and break that cracked panel as close the the seams as you can- thats your call. Be careful because that silicone bonds w/ glass on a molecular level, its very strong stuff and you may break a good piece while trying to remove the cracked ones.
To re-install, use good ole' clear 100% silicone for windows and doors. dont use the stuff for kitchens and baths because it has mold inhibitors.

hope that helps a little... good luck, its a PITA!

scubasteve247 · 01/09/2007, 11:35 PM

yeah sure sounds like it, and i dont want any problems with this, i may just get a new one, well see. i still might try the repair, might try the patch, im gonna contact a local tank builder

reef_friendly · 01/10/2007, 01:44 AM

if the crack is only on one side and the other adjoining pane is intact then u can paste a full size glass inside the tank opposite the broken glass leaving between an empty space of an inch between the new glass and the broken one. disadvantage of this idea is that it would decrease the tank size a bit and the advantage - ur tank will be ready to use for less. or u can also paste a box made of glass pieces with three sides on the crack. it will decrease the water pressure on the cracked point. u can later conceal it with rock work. diagram enclosed( just a rough sketch-- don't laugh

)
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/shriyans/box.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...yans/glass.jpg

reef_friendly · 01/10/2007, 01:55 AM

for ur convinienve

reef_friendly · 01/10/2007, 01:56 AM

i mean a three sided glass box. wrongly mentioned in the diagram

chinaman4u · 01/10/2007, 01:58 AM

That plastic rim is pretty tough to get off. And that crack will grow. I might even be bigger than you see it. I had a 10 gal with a small crack like that, i could only see a small section of the crack but it cracked all the way across, i just couldn't see it bc it was a clean crack.

You should at least try to take the whole tank to a glass shop and ask if they'll replace it. You'll probably pay more for labor than the piece of glass itself.

01/08/2007, 12:28 PM	#1
scubasteve247 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: south florida Posts: 1,142	calling all glass experts! help please pics included i need some help guys, i was given a 40 gallon cube yesterday. it was free because it had been slightly cracked, i was wondering how i should go about repairing this, the crack is at the bottom corner, about a half inch from the black trim. i was told a few differnt things, and i dont know what to do, someone told me to drill a small hole at the end of the crack to keep it from spreading, another told me to just silicone it from leaking and another told me to just cover the crack on the inside with a square of glass held in place with silicone. anyone out there work on glass or have some advice? Last edited by scubasteve247; 01/08/2007 at 01:27 PM.

01/08/2007, 12:33 PM	#2
thatguy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CO Posts: 513	Replace that piece of glass. If it was at the top you might be able to get away with the glass over the top. I don't think I'd risk it unless it was replaced. good luck __________________ #something witty Current Tank Info: in my memories

01/08/2007, 01:46 PM	#5
olemos Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,791	The best will be replacing it, the other way is get 2 pieces of glass about 4"x4" (doesn't have to be exact ) remove inside silicone to the size of glass piece you will be using, then silicone the pieces of glass one on the inside and the other on the outside, be generous on the silicone, allow a week to cure and you should be ok but keep a eye on the crack. When placing your rock, arrange it in a way so you don't see the repair. __________________ ? Current Tank Info: 350 gl

01/08/2007, 02:02 PM	#7
Mustang394 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 207	Replacing the piece of glass would be your best option as it is more than likely not tempered you should be able to get a replacement piece for less than 10 bucks at any glass shop (well can here atleast) The patch ideas mentioned earlier work great if you can hide the patch job behind rock work etc.. Have patched the bottom of many a tank this way with no problems. __________________ "Life is drawing without an Eraser" Current Tank Info: Oceanic 22+ Seahorse, 90 gal LPS & Softies, 120 gal LPS & SPS

01/09/2007, 08:00 PM	#11
2swift Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ruskin,FLA Posts: 876	A patch may hold but that's your call you have gotten advice both way's but ultimately you have to be the one to pay if it fails. You have to chose and I hate to say this but pay now or pay later. But this to is JMO. __________________ Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Current Tank Info: 150g with twin FX4 canisters-Jebao 90Wave maker-2 AQUASKY Fluval Lights-AquaMaxx TS-2 Sulfur Denitrator

01/08/2007, 12:39 PM	#3
scubasteve247 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: south florida Posts: 1,142	yeah i wish it was at the top, if it came to taking that pane of glass off i would replace it or just flip it over so the crack was at the top. but i dont have a lot of money at the moment, at all. college is expensive, so im trying to figure out how to repair it, plus i like diy stuff. anyone else have a idea? thank you

01/08/2007, 01:27 PM	#4
scubasteve247 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: south florida Posts: 1,142	anyone?

01/08/2007, 01:55 PM	#6
scubasteve247 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: south florida Posts: 1,142	yeah thats what i was thinking, patch it and just cover it up in the back, not sure if it matters, but the tank dimensions are 20x20x24 thanks olemos! anyone else have a opinion???

01/08/2007, 02:08 PM	#8
scubasteve247 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: south florida Posts: 1,142	ok great, hiding the patch is no problem at all, and yes its not tempered, thanks guys, if anyone else has a Opinion feel free to chime in, as of now ill simply be patching the inside as well as the outside

01/08/2007, 10:24 PM	#9
scubasteve247 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: south florida Posts: 1,142	bump

01/09/2007, 07:49 PM	#10
tropical lyle Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: north pompano beach Posts: 30	^^^^^

01/09/2007, 08:25 PM	#12
scubasteve247 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: south florida Posts: 1,142	thanks guys, if anyone else has a opinion, please feel free to chime in, i wont be working on this till the weekend so i would like some more feedback.

01/09/2007, 09:41 PM	#13
kookerson Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,017	I JUST went through this same problem about a week ago when I was building my sump, my clamps were a little too tight and I put a slight crack in the tank........believe me, just replace that pane of glass. You really have no idea how weak glass can get once it has even the tiniest flaw in it! No drilling, covering or siliconing......it'll be a pain in the @$$ to replace it, but it will save you MUCHO money and heartache in the end! : )

01/09/2007, 10:34 PM	#14
reefer_man_mike Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 42	if you fill the tank the way it is... soon enough.. maybe not right away it will blow. That crack will spread. It will be easier to take it off and flip it or just replace it

01/09/2007, 10:56 PM	#15
PrivateJoker64 Moved On Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Huntington, WV Posts: 1,145	Replace the glass. Call a local glass shop, it will surprise you how cheap it is!

01/09/2007, 10:59 PM	#16
MaGNuS042 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 127	that crack is DEFINATELY going to run. either replace or drill a hole before you patch. a patch alone is not enough!! __________________ In life, you don't get what you want, you don't get what you deserve, and you don't get what's fair. You get what you negotiate. Current Tank Info: 110 gallon mixed reef(sps dominant) Ecosystem sump, Kent Nautilus ex, DiY Ca Reactor, 2x 250w XM 10,000k in La3 minis w/ 2x 110w actinic vho, 2x Tunze 6100 w/ 7095 multicontroller

01/09/2007, 11:01 PM	#17
scubasteve247 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: south florida Posts: 1,142	so how would i go about flipping the glass over? for ex taking off the brace's keeping the other pieces from seperating?

01/09/2007, 11:15 PM	#18
coralsandbar Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Locust Grove, GA Posts: 422	get a new tank and start over....I've been there and done that only to repair...repair and repair....3x over... 4 water changes and top offs due to leaks.

01/09/2007, 11:16 PM	#19
coralsandbar Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Locust Grove, GA Posts: 422	little sleep between....to add to it.

01/09/2007, 11:24 PM	#20
Glove Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 562	Very thin razor blades! like the kind used in window film applications (window tint). I have some that were made in germany and are very thin. You will need to make several passes on each seam. Dont try to force the blade between the panels-the thickness will create pressure and could chip or crack another panel. Let the blade cut into the silicone a little with each pass. You will see the panels let go of each other sooner or later. The real trick is to cut the frame away from the glass and not roach (destroy) the frame or the good glass in the process. I would try doing the top first. The other panels will be fine left connected to each other and the bottom. Clean the ends of all the old silicone- and then scrape and clean again lol. After you cleaned the remaining sides and bottom as good as you possibly can -do it again.(ALL silicone must be removed!) ...then wipe it with acetone. I always wipe it with some de-natured alcohole right before I assemble. *if you can get the frames off (top and bottom need to be removed) it might be easier f you try to go ahead and break that cracked panel as close the the seams as you can- thats your call. Be careful because that silicone bonds w/ glass on a molecular level, its very strong stuff and you may break a good piece while trying to remove the cracked ones. To re-install, use good ole' clear 100% silicone for windows and doors. dont use the stuff for kitchens and baths because it has mold inhibitors. hope that helps a little... good luck, its a PITA!

01/09/2007, 11:35 PM	#21
scubasteve247 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: south florida Posts: 1,142	yeah sure sounds like it, and i dont want any problems with this, i may just get a new one, well see. i still might try the repair, might try the patch, im gonna contact a local tank builder

01/10/2007, 01:44 AM	#22
reef_friendly Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 63	if the crack is only on one side and the other adjoining pane is intact then u can paste a full size glass inside the tank opposite the broken glass leaving between an empty space of an inch between the new glass and the broken one. disadvantage of this idea is that it would decrease the tank size a bit and the advantage - ur tank will be ready to use for less. or u can also paste a box made of glass pieces with three sides on the crack. it will decrease the water pressure on the cracked point. u can later conceal it with rock work. diagram enclosed( just a rough sketch-- don't laugh ) http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/shriyans/box.jpg http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...yans/glass.jpg

01/10/2007, 01:55 AM	#23
reef_friendly Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 63	for ur convinienve

01/10/2007, 01:56 AM	#24
reef_friendly Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 63	i mean a three sided glass box. wrongly mentioned in the diagram

01/10/2007, 01:58 AM	#25
chinaman4u Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: PennStatePA Posts: 600	That plastic rim is pretty tough to get off. And that crack will grow. I might even be bigger than you see it. I had a 10 gal with a small crack like that, i could only see a small section of the crack but it cracked all the way across, i just couldn't see it bc it was a clean crack. You should at least try to take the whole tank to a glass shop and ask if they'll replace it. You'll probably pay more for labor than the piece of glass itself.