cracked tank. =(

gregbot9000 · 07/12/2007, 11:21 AM

My tank cracked randomly in the back. it starts from the top and goes to a bulkhead in the middle. i drained some water out and sealed it with silicone.

i was wondering how long is it safe for and is anyone else running a cracked tank?

notice to the right of the overflow.....

drummereef · 07/12/2007, 11:24 AM

I would get another tank asap. That is only a temp fix if that...

Travis L. Stevens · 07/12/2007, 11:33 AM

Yes, get a new tank as fast as you can. Don't delay on this. Silicon in the middle of glass will only work for a little while, and with a crack like that the whole back of the tank could eventually blow out.

gregbot9000 · 07/12/2007, 11:50 AM

it doesnt go all the way from top to bottom..just half way. heres the an example of back glass ..

what if put an extra piece of glass with silicone over it. to reinforce it.

bassettmd · 07/12/2007, 11:55 AM

I would buy a new tank... TODAY.

theatrus · 07/12/2007, 11:56 AM

It was a latent fracture from the stress of drilling the bulkhead, or your plumbing is torquing the back glass down causing that.

Sadly, the tank is not safe. You can slap another glass sheet over it which will help, but if you want to sleep sound you need to buy a new tank, and make sure your plumbing is not torquing on the bulkheads.

Travis L. Stevens · 07/12/2007, 11:56 AM

It would help, but it wouldn't be worth it.

Ismellikefish · 07/12/2007, 12:49 PM

What cost more? a new tank, or a new tank and everything in it?

If you value the livestock in the tank I would get another tank yesterday > It doesn't take much to weaken a pain of glass.

ludnix · 07/12/2007, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ismellikefish
What cost more? a new tank, or a new tank and everything in it?

If you value the livestock in the tank I would get another tank yesterday > It doesn't take much to weaken a pain of glass.

I agree completely with this. Although it seems like a hassle to have to move everything over to a new tank, imagine the hassle of pumping water off your floor when it busts.

ambaratur · 07/12/2007, 01:03 PM

If I read your build thread correctly it looks like you are not using bulkheads. I would recommend replacing the tank and this time perhaps consider using bulkheads in the holes - I think this may help spread out the pressure from the plumbing and reduce stress on the tank in the future.

Good luck.

csb · 07/12/2007, 01:20 PM

"My tank cracked randomly in the back"

Not really random ... I'm sure the bulkhead had something to do with it... if not overtightened, was the bulkhead supporting the weight of your plumbing??

That situation really sucks! You should drain the tank to about half-way ASAP and go buy a new tank. Maybe a perfect time for an unplanned upgrade to a 180 or something

07/12/2007, 11:21 AM	#1
gregbot9000 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 405	cracked tank. =( My tank cracked randomly in the back. it starts from the top and goes to a bulkhead in the middle. i drained some water out and sealed it with silicone. i was wondering how long is it safe for and is anyone else running a cracked tank? notice to the right of the overflow..... __________________ _-Greg-_ ----------- "If I had a nickel for every time I was wrong, I'd be broke." Stephen Colbert" Current Tank Info: 20g Display + 10g Sump = my awesome mixed reef tank.

07/12/2007, 11:24 AM	#2
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	I would get another tank asap. That is only a temp fix if that... __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

07/12/2007, 11:33 AM	#3
Travis L. Stevens Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perry, OK Posts: 13,946	Yes, get a new tank as fast as you can. Don't delay on this. Silicon in the middle of glass will only work for a little while, and with a crack like that the whole back of the tank could eventually blow out. __________________ Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront

07/12/2007, 11:50 AM	#4
gregbot9000 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 405	it doesnt go all the way from top to bottom..just half way. heres the an example of back glass .. what if put an extra piece of glass with silicone over it. to reinforce it. __________________ _-Greg-_ ----------- "If I had a nickel for every time I was wrong, I'd be broke." Stephen Colbert" Current Tank Info: 20g Display + 10g Sump = my awesome mixed reef tank.

07/12/2007, 11:56 AM	#6
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	It was a latent fracture from the stress of drilling the bulkhead, or your plumbing is torquing the back glass down causing that. Sadly, the tank is not safe. You can slap another glass sheet over it which will help, but if you want to sleep sound you need to buy a new tank, and make sure your plumbing is not torquing on the bulkheads. __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

07/12/2007, 11:55 AM	#5
bassettmd Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NorthEast Posts: 710	I would buy a new tank... TODAY.

07/12/2007, 12:49 PM	#8
Ismellikefish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 271	What cost more? a new tank, or a new tank and everything in it? If you value the livestock in the tank I would get another tank yesterday > It doesn't take much to weaken a pain of glass.

07/12/2007, 01:03 PM	#10
ambaratur Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 776	If I read your build thread correctly it looks like you are not using bulkheads. I would recommend replacing the tank and this time perhaps consider using bulkheads in the holes - I think this may help spread out the pressure from the plumbing and reduce stress on the tank in the future. Good luck. __________________ "God is dead." - Nietzsche "Nietzsche is dead." - God Click my red house for my 125 gal. tank build thread. Member of Northern Arizona Marine Aquarium Society (NAMAS) Current Tank Info: 125g AGA MegaFlow - 150lbs Fiji live rock - 50g DIY sump/fuge - Tunze 9010/9015 Skimmer - Eheim 1260 - 2x Seio 1500 - 5x 80w IceCap T5 Retro - PhosBan Reactor 150 - AC Jr. Controller - Typhoon III RO/DI - Mixed Reef

07/12/2007, 01:20 PM	#11
csb Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 541	"My tank cracked randomly in the back" Not really random ... I'm sure the bulkhead had something to do with it... if not overtightened, was the bulkhead supporting the weight of your plumbing?? That situation really sucks! You should drain the tank to about half-way ASAP and go buy a new tank. Maybe a perfect time for an unplanned upgrade to a 180 or something __________________ Winter ski bum, summer reef bum. Tank pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/snojrnl Current Tank Info: 30g mixed reef