DAMN...I chipped my tank

vegaskid11 · 07/20/2007, 02:10 PM

Damn. Wouldn't you know it. I was moving my new tank into the new fish room and I bumped the side of it on the corner of a wall. It left a small crack at the seam where the bottom pane and side pane meet. This tank was alot of money because the front is a starphire pane. Do you guys think this will be ok if I just add a bit of silicone to the inside joint? Thoughts? Thanks.

BeanAnimal · 07/20/2007, 03:43 PM

Ouch...

I would contact the manufacturer and get their opinion. What is the depth of the tank? What are the dimensions?

theatrus · 07/20/2007, 03:44 PM

I wouldn't even add silicone, its not going to adhere anyway. There is always a risk of using a damaged tank, but this looks very minor.

BeanAnimal · 07/20/2007, 03:45 PM

To elaborate... the problem is not going to be one of leaking. It will be one of the panels integrity under pressure.

Being so close to a seam will help, but being at the bottom will mean that it will undergo more stress. Being close to the side panel helps (less flex there than in the middle).

clevername · 07/20/2007, 03:47 PM

Yeah you shouldnt have a problem leak wise, but we need to know the size of the tank.

vegaskid11 · 07/20/2007, 05:25 PM

The is a 300 gallon. It measures 30 x 30 x 8'.

vegaskid11 · 07/20/2007, 05:32 PM

Its 1/2" glass. The front panel is starphire. Underneath the bottom panel there is a thin sheet of black plexi glued on.

I bought the tank used so I am unsure of the manufacturer.

BeanAnimal · 07/20/2007, 05:35 PM

30" of depth is rather substantial and the panel is very wide. It appears that the chip is contained below the top plane of the bottom panel.

I think I would be concerned about it. The chip looks rather deep. What percentage of the panel thickness is it?

At the very least I feel that the chipped area should be wet sanded so that there are no sharp corners or angles. A glass expert would be able to either confirm or debunk this notion. I feel that it would lessen the chance of a stress crack starting at a sharp angle or edge.

Maybe send the photos to a few large glass tank manufacturers (oceanic, glass cages, etc)?

aninjaatemyshoe · 07/20/2007, 08:24 PM

Silicone won't do anything to stop problems if this chip becomes a source for crack propagation. Think about what happens when you get a small crack on your windsheild - it gradually increases in length and forms one or more long cracks. In an aquarium, of course, this could be catastrophic. For the investment you have put in already and are probably going to put in the future, you probably will want to have the panel replaced. And as far as visual inspection goes, I wouldn't leave it up to that kind of chance.

8BALL_99 · 07/20/2007, 10:58 PM

That sucks.. Been nice if it would have had trim on the bottem, It probably wouldn't have chipped. Thats alot of water I just don't think I'd risk it..

Will

JCTewks · 07/20/2007, 11:02 PM

when you really think about it...the tank itself is one of the cheapes investments in a reef setup. I think it would be easier to get a new tank now instead of losing a lot of your fish and corals later, as well as your carpet and possibly some furniture if this thing decides to go later.

aninjaatemyshoe · 07/21/2007, 01:39 PM

This really doesn't mean you have to pitch the whole thing. You just need to take off the panels, replace the chipped one, and re-silicone. Sure, it isn't easy/cheap, but it should be cheaper than buying a new one. The panel isn't even the Starphire one, so I wouldn't sweat the cost that much.

madtek580 · 12/09/2007, 09:38 AM

http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/p...ProductID=2009

BeanAnimal · 12/09/2007, 10:31 AM

Wow this must be the day of "the return of old threads"

I am note sure that the windshield epoxy would help or not. I suppose it is worth a try!

BTW madtek: Thanks for your service.

Donw · 12/09/2007, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BeanAnimal
Wow this must be the day of "the return of old threads"

I am note sure that the windshield epoxy would help or not. I suppose it is worth a try!

BTW madtek: Thanks for your service.

That stuff is uv cure but works great. So you will need a light that produces uv or move the tank outside or it will never set up.

Don

ThaNgBOm321 · 12/09/2007, 12:53 PM

HQI MH??? over it to cure??

YzGyz

BeanAnimal · 12/09/2007, 01:05 PM

That may work....

07/20/2007, 02:10 PM	#1
vegaskid11 vegasreefers.com Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 742	DAMN...I chipped my tank Damn. Wouldn't you know it. I was moving my new tank into the new fish room and I bumped the side of it on the corner of a wall. It left a small crack at the seam where the bottom pane and side pane meet. This tank was alot of money because the front is a starphire pane. Do you guys think this will be ok if I just add a bit of silicone to the inside joint? Thoughts? Thanks.

07/20/2007, 03:44 PM	#3
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	I wouldn't even add silicone, its not going to adhere anyway. There is always a risk of using a damaged tank, but this looks very minor. __________________ 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

07/20/2007, 03:47 PM	#5
clevername Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Manchester, MO Posts: 1,125	Yeah you shouldnt have a problem leak wise, but we need to know the size of the tank. __________________ In process: 210gal, VARIOS-8 return, Kessil Lights, 80 gal sump, mp60's, and REGAL 200EXT 8" RECIRCULATING skimmer

07/20/2007, 08:24 PM	#9
aninjaatemyshoe Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 2,333	Silicone won't do anything to stop problems if this chip becomes a source for crack propagation. Think about what happens when you get a small crack on your windsheild - it gradually increases in length and forms one or more long cracks. In an aquarium, of course, this could be catastrophic. For the investment you have put in already and are probably going to put in the future, you probably will want to have the panel replaced. And as far as visual inspection goes, I wouldn't leave it up to that kind of chance. __________________ You are not brought upon this world to "get it"

07/20/2007, 10:58 PM	#10
8BALL_99 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Toney, AL Posts: 3,724	That sucks.. Been nice if it would have had trim on the bottem, It probably wouldn't have chipped. Thats alot of water I just don't think I'd risk it.. Will __________________ The problem with political jokes is they get elected. OK, so what's the speed of dark? Why do we drive on the parkway and park in the driveway? Isn't is it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do "practice"? Current Tank Info: Custom Starfire 300,92Gallon,35 Gallon Hex,Two 40Gallons,125Gallon,

07/20/2007, 03:43 PM	#2
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	Ouch... I would contact the manufacturer and get their opinion. What is the depth of the tank? What are the dimensions?

07/20/2007, 03:45 PM	#4
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	To elaborate... the problem is not going to be one of leaking. It will be one of the panels integrity under pressure. Being so close to a seam will help, but being at the bottom will mean that it will undergo more stress. Being close to the side panel helps (less flex there than in the middle).

07/20/2007, 05:25 PM	#6
vegaskid11 vegasreefers.com Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 742	The is a 300 gallon. It measures 30 x 30 x 8'.

07/20/2007, 05:32 PM	#7
vegaskid11 vegasreefers.com Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 742	Its 1/2" glass. The front panel is starphire. Underneath the bottom panel there is a thin sheet of black plexi glued on. I bought the tank used so I am unsure of the manufacturer.

07/20/2007, 05:35 PM	#8
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	30" of depth is rather substantial and the panel is very wide. It appears that the chip is contained below the top plane of the bottom panel. I think I would be concerned about it. The chip looks rather deep. What percentage of the panel thickness is it? At the very least I feel that the chipped area should be wet sanded so that there are no sharp corners or angles. A glass expert would be able to either confirm or debunk this notion. I feel that it would lessen the chance of a stress crack starting at a sharp angle or edge. Maybe send the photos to a few large glass tank manufacturers (oceanic, glass cages, etc)?

07/20/2007, 11:02 PM	#11
JCTewks Moved On Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Wilmington, Ohio Posts: 3,040	when you really think about it...the tank itself is one of the cheapes investments in a reef setup. I think it would be easier to get a new tank now instead of losing a lot of your fish and corals later, as well as your carpet and possibly some furniture if this thing decides to go later.

07/21/2007, 01:39 PM	#12
aninjaatemyshoe Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 2,333	This really doesn't mean you have to pitch the whole thing. You just need to take off the panels, replace the chipped one, and re-silicone. Sure, it isn't easy/cheap, but it should be cheaper than buying a new one. The panel isn't even the Starphire one, so I wouldn't sweat the cost that much. __________________ You are not brought upon this world to "get it"

12/09/2007, 09:38 AM	#13
madtek580 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Navarre, FL Posts: 61	http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/p...ProductID=2009

12/09/2007, 10:31 AM	#14
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	Wow this must be the day of "the return of old threads" I am note sure that the windshield epoxy would help or not. I suppose it is worth a try! BTW madtek: Thanks for your service.

12/09/2007, 12:53 PM	#16
ThaNgBOm321 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Tx, houston Posts: 792	HQI MH??? over it to cure?? YzGyz __________________ YzGyz = Wise Guys ohhh and cows go MOOO!!! 2nd best way is to learn from ones own mistakes but the best way to learn is from others... thx to Randy and so many other for making reefing that much easier

12/09/2007, 01:05 PM	#17
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	That may work....