500 gallon starphire now has crack HELP

Chicago · 01/12/2010, 07:06 PM

my seven year old starphire tank now has a crack. edge crack meaning it is coming from the top and down. at center of viewing area. just showed up out of blue. the front is two panes of starphire glass laminated together. made by inter america ..which is now bow valley. anyone hear from them laterly.

so. here is question. who has number for good glass guy in chicago that can tell me what i already think. the crack cannot be felt inside or outside of the tank which means it is running on inside of the laminated sides. i assume in time the width of the crack will eventually split farther so that it hits the inside of the tank or outside depending on which pane of glass is running the crack..

i am wondering if those windshield repair guys would help... would additional bracing help? i have bracing on center and two off center for total of three and rim bracing all the way around. tank length is 8 feet with 30 inches high and about 30 deep.. it is framed into the house and have large sump in basment mechnical room ect.

this will probably be enough to through me out of the hobby or into a smaller tank. 300 or less.

let me know your thoughts and i would like info to contact some local glass tank builders..

any help is greatly appreciated

urastame · 01/12/2010, 07:09 PM

how did this happen?

Chicago · 01/12/2010, 07:10 PM

forgot to mention. right now crack is about two inches. only about 1 inch is visable since tank has black rim plastic around it.

Chicago · 01/12/2010, 07:13 PM

i think the crack was always their under the the black rim that runs around the top of the tank and inch down the front.. think the room got colder during the winter spell hear..66 degrees.. in the room and was enough to get it going.. wish i could fiqure it out.. but if it was the house sitter that did it while i was out of town what would the truth do me know.. just bad situation

Chicago · 01/12/2010, 07:16 PM

forgot to mention that this started while family and i were out of town.. which makes it even worse..

urastame · 01/12/2010, 07:20 PM

This is a big girl i would not play around with a crack at all. i cant imagine 500 gallons of water in your house. Just my opinion i would dain this bad boy and start thinking ahead.

urastame · 01/12/2010, 07:30 PM

Im thinking maybe if you lower the water level and add some strong silicone to both side and let it cure for 24 hrs. That way you have something holing it some what together. I would think there would be that much pressure up that high in the tank but once you have a weak spot thats allways dangerous. IMO

Chicago · 01/12/2010, 07:40 PM

i think the pressure will still be there..is bow valley in business.. any one hear had to take down large tank becuase of crack.. i am thinking about silicone under the black rim that runs around the tank..looks like its missing some by where the crack starts on top. also i have some starphire bracing.. think i can add a brace the length of the tank to join all the top bracing in the front together..i guess at this point anything is worth a try... the alternative is really a nightmare. undue and destroy the wood trim and doors above the tank so it can be removed .. then the sledge hammer. just way to heavy to move.....or ask the with how she feels about snakes in the the den.. amazone habitat.. frogs...they smell nice right????

Nanook · 01/12/2010, 08:03 PM

Whoa, sorry to hear this

I have two tanks from Bow Valley Aquarium as well....not sure if Mitch is still in business though.

Nanook · 01/12/2010, 08:05 PM

Found this on Google:

Bow Valley Aquarium

Last Updated: 2008-06-17

Legal Name: Bow Valley Aquarium & Pet Supplies Inc.
Operating Name: Bow Valley Aquarium

Mailing Address
6333, 35 St SE
CALGARY, Alberta
T2C 1N1
Location Address
6333, 35 St SE
CALGARY, Alberta
T2C 1N1

Telephone: (403) 248-0884
Fax: (403) 248-0889
Email: bva1@telus.net

Top
Contact Information

Audrey Karazub
Title: Data Provider
Telephone: (403) 248-0884
Fax: (403) 248-0889

MITCHELL KARAZUB JR.
Title: Manager
Area of Responsibility: Export Sales & Marketing

MITCHELL KARAZUB
Title: Manager
Area of Responsibility: Management Executive

Top
Company Description

Country of Ownership: Canada
Year Established: 1981
Exporting: Yes
Primary Industry (NAICS): 327215 - Glass Product Manufacturing from Purchased Glass
Primary Business Activity: Manufacturer / Processor / Producer
Total Sales ($CDN): $100,000 to $199,999
Export Sales ($CDN): $1 to $99,999
Number of Employees: 3

Top
Product / Service / Licensing

Product Name: GLASS AQUARIUMS

Chicago · 01/12/2010, 08:08 PM

yep.. i know that phone call to him will be interesting.. he made one tank.. nice work but was not 31 inches high as ordered... so after i moved that giant.. bought another from him that was done to correct dimensions. sold other one to dt photoplankton owner.. now this one has a crack that just grew a little.. i think there was always a little crack but now it is growing.. any one talk to mitch lately.. man all this work to have tank for only 7 years. looking at frog habitat. maybe just a nice beach with some land hermits. i am losing it thinking about this..

Chicago · 01/12/2010, 08:08 PM

thanks for the info..

Nanook · 01/12/2010, 08:21 PM

Sure thing. I wish I could give you advice, but I don't have the knowledge. Perhaps a structural engineer or something along those lines could advise? If it were my tank, I would take pictures of the crack and have some of the experts on RC take a look at it, perhaps James at Envision Acrylic, or the guys at Miracles Aquarium Co.

Worse case scenario is pretty scary, so, depending on what these guys say, it might be time to get a new tank.

Nanook · 01/12/2010, 08:22 PM

BTW, I have Robert Hunter's book of poetry

Losungen · 01/12/2010, 08:24 PM

It was bow valley that caught my eye on this post. Good ol Mitch is still in business somehow. They just moved shop but still here in town. If you want his cell number lemme know, its about the only to get ahold of him... He magically dissapears if there's any issues. I've one tank built by him... Learned my lesson that's for sure.

Chicago · 01/12/2010, 08:38 PM

i had to have two built buy him. .. thing is they really look nice and all.. yes please pm.

Chicago · 01/12/2010, 10:19 PM

who builds large tanks on site near chicago...maybe replace laminated front glass on site...???/ thoughts on acrylic for new tank... who would want a nice reptile glass tank??

Chicago · 01/13/2010, 08:38 AM

need name of local tank builder.. thanks

Losungen · 01/13/2010, 11:05 AM

You got pm

Chicago · 01/13/2010, 01:14 PM

thanks..

urastame · 01/13/2010, 01:26 PM

Best of luck to you Chicago.......

Chicago · 01/13/2010, 01:29 PM

does mitch answer the phone.. ?? at bow valley ?

Chicago · 01/13/2010, 01:45 PM

ok.. got a hold of mitch.. was very nice over the phone...actually talked about a lot.. he asked me to send him some pics.. says the tank is strong and laminated fronts are quite strong.. something i knew before. his thought was that this might not be crack but maybe something with laminate.. he thought it was strange that the crack if that is what it is cannot be felt on either side.. in other words can glass crack which has crack only on helf the diameter of the glass. in other words .. glas sis 5/8 thick and crack is 1/8 thick and runs two inches long.??

TampaReefer79 · 01/13/2010, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chicago

tank length is 8 feet with 30 inches high and about 30 deep.. it is framed into the house and have large sump in basment mechnical room ect.

Not sure if it's really relevant to you, but the tank sounds like it's 375 gallons, not 500. 8'x30x30 is what I have, which is why it caught my eye.

Chicago · 01/13/2010, 02:03 PM

you may be right on that.. the tank is actually long since it has over flows on each side that are additional 8 inches per side. tank height is 31 .. gue3s i need to go back and look.

01/12/2010, 07:06 PM	#1
Chicago Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: earth Posts: 3,218	500 gallon starphire now has crack HELP my seven year old starphire tank now has a crack. edge crack meaning it is coming from the top and down. at center of viewing area. just showed up out of blue. the front is two panes of starphire glass laminated together. made by inter america ..which is now bow valley. anyone hear from them laterly. so. here is question. who has number for good glass guy in chicago that can tell me what i already think. the crack cannot be felt inside or outside of the tank which means it is running on inside of the laminated sides. i assume in time the width of the crack will eventually split farther so that it hits the inside of the tank or outside depending on which pane of glass is running the crack.. i am wondering if those windshield repair guys would help... would additional bracing help? i have bracing on center and two off center for total of three and rim bracing all the way around. tank length is 8 feet with 30 inches high and about 30 deep.. it is framed into the house and have large sump in basment mechnical room ect. this will probably be enough to through me out of the hobby or into a smaller tank. 300 or less. let me know your thoughts and i would like info to contact some local glass tank builders.. any help is greatly appreciated __________________ "If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will" ..famous poet.. Current Tank Info: 500 gal starphire, reef sps dominated, 40 plus fish, 300 gallon sump in basement below, reeftek calcium reactor, reeftek kalkwasser reactor, lifeguard fluidized filter for rowaphose, 4 400MH 10k xm, 2 160 vho super attinic, DYI 50 gallon denitrator

01/12/2010, 07:10 PM	#3
Chicago Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: earth Posts: 3,218	forgot to mention. right now crack is about two inches. only about 1 inch is visable since tank has black rim plastic around it. __________________ "If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will" ..famous poet.. Current Tank Info: 500 gal starphire, reef sps dominated, 40 plus fish, 300 gallon sump in basement below, reeftek calcium reactor, reeftek kalkwasser reactor, lifeguard fluidized filter for rowaphose, 4 400MH 10k xm, 2 160 vho super attinic, DYI 50 gallon denitrator

01/12/2010, 07:13 PM	#4
Chicago Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: earth Posts: 3,218	i think the crack was always their under the the black rim that runs around the top of the tank and inch down the front.. think the room got colder during the winter spell hear..66 degrees.. in the room and was enough to get it going.. wish i could fiqure it out.. but if it was the house sitter that did it while i was out of town what would the truth do me know.. just bad situation __________________ "If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will" ..famous poet.. Current Tank Info: 500 gal starphire, reef sps dominated, 40 plus fish, 300 gallon sump in basement below, reeftek calcium reactor, reeftek kalkwasser reactor, lifeguard fluidized filter for rowaphose, 4 400MH 10k xm, 2 160 vho super attinic, DYI 50 gallon denitrator

01/12/2010, 07:16 PM	#5
Chicago Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: earth Posts: 3,218	forgot to mention that this started while family and i were out of town.. which makes it even worse.. __________________ "If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will" ..famous poet.. Current Tank Info: 500 gal starphire, reef sps dominated, 40 plus fish, 300 gallon sump in basement below, reeftek calcium reactor, reeftek kalkwasser reactor, lifeguard fluidized filter for rowaphose, 4 400MH 10k xm, 2 160 vho super attinic, DYI 50 gallon denitrator

01/12/2010, 07:40 PM	#8
Chicago Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: earth Posts: 3,218	i think the pressure will still be there..is bow valley in business.. any one hear had to take down large tank becuase of crack.. i am thinking about silicone under the black rim that runs around the tank..looks like its missing some by where the crack starts on top. also i have some starphire bracing.. think i can add a brace the length of the tank to join all the top bracing in the front together..i guess at this point anything is worth a try... the alternative is really a nightmare. undue and destroy the wood trim and doors above the tank so it can be removed .. then the sledge hammer. just way to heavy to move.....or ask the with how she feels about snakes in the the den.. amazone habitat.. frogs...they smell nice right???? __________________ "If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will" ..famous poet.. Current Tank Info: 500 gal starphire, reef sps dominated, 40 plus fish, 300 gallon sump in basement below, reeftek calcium reactor, reeftek kalkwasser reactor, lifeguard fluidized filter for rowaphose, 4 400MH 10k xm, 2 160 vho super attinic, DYI 50 gallon denitrator

01/12/2010, 07:09 PM	#2
urastame Moved On Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: West Coast Posts: 51	how did this happen?

01/12/2010, 07:20 PM	#6
urastame Moved On Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: West Coast Posts: 51	This is a big girl i would not play around with a crack at all. i cant imagine 500 gallons of water in your house. Just my opinion i would dain this bad boy and start thinking ahead.

01/12/2010, 07:30 PM	#7
urastame Moved On Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: West Coast Posts: 51	Im thinking maybe if you lower the water level and add some strong silicone to both side and let it cure for 24 hrs. That way you have something holing it some what together. I would think there would be that much pressure up that high in the tank but once you have a weak spot thats allways dangerous. IMO

01/12/2010, 08:03 PM	#9
Nanook Ancient Eskimo Legend Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 41,852 Blog Entries: 11	Whoa, sorry to hear this I have two tanks from Bow Valley Aquarium as well....not sure if Mitch is still in business though. __________________ The wind blew, the chit flew, and then they came two by two. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Current Tank Info: 375g Tanganyikan Tank & 470g mixed reef

01/12/2010, 08:05 PM	#10
Nanook Ancient Eskimo Legend Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 41,852 Blog Entries: 11	Found this on Google: Bow Valley Aquarium Last Updated: 2008-06-17 Legal Name: Bow Valley Aquarium & Pet Supplies Inc. Operating Name: Bow Valley Aquarium Mailing Address 6333, 35 St SE CALGARY, Alberta T2C 1N1 Location Address 6333, 35 St SE CALGARY, Alberta T2C 1N1 Telephone: (403) 248-0884 Fax: (403) 248-0889 Email: bva1@telus.net Top Contact Information Audrey Karazub Title: Data Provider Telephone: (403) 248-0884 Fax: (403) 248-0889 MITCHELL KARAZUB JR. Title: Manager Area of Responsibility: Export Sales & Marketing MITCHELL KARAZUB Title: Manager Area of Responsibility: Management Executive Top Company Description Country of Ownership: Canada Year Established: 1981 Exporting: Yes Primary Industry (NAICS): 327215 - Glass Product Manufacturing from Purchased Glass Primary Business Activity: Manufacturer / Processor / Producer Total Sales ($CDN): $100,000 to $199,999 Export Sales ($CDN): $1 to $99,999 Number of Employees: 3 Top Product / Service / Licensing Product Name: GLASS AQUARIUMS __________________ The wind blew, the chit flew, and then they came two by two. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Current Tank Info: 375g Tanganyikan Tank & 470g mixed reef

01/12/2010, 08:08 PM	#11
Chicago Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: earth Posts: 3,218	yep.. i know that phone call to him will be interesting.. he made one tank.. nice work but was not 31 inches high as ordered... so after i moved that giant.. bought another from him that was done to correct dimensions. sold other one to dt photoplankton owner.. now this one has a crack that just grew a little.. i think there was always a little crack but now it is growing.. any one talk to mitch lately.. man all this work to have tank for only 7 years. looking at frog habitat. maybe just a nice beach with some land hermits. i am losing it thinking about this.. __________________ "If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will" ..famous poet.. Current Tank Info: 500 gal starphire, reef sps dominated, 40 plus fish, 300 gallon sump in basement below, reeftek calcium reactor, reeftek kalkwasser reactor, lifeguard fluidized filter for rowaphose, 4 400MH 10k xm, 2 160 vho super attinic, DYI 50 gallon denitrator

01/12/2010, 08:08 PM	#12
Chicago Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: earth Posts: 3,218	thanks for the info.. __________________ "If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will" ..famous poet.. Current Tank Info: 500 gal starphire, reef sps dominated, 40 plus fish, 300 gallon sump in basement below, reeftek calcium reactor, reeftek kalkwasser reactor, lifeguard fluidized filter for rowaphose, 4 400MH 10k xm, 2 160 vho super attinic, DYI 50 gallon denitrator

01/12/2010, 08:21 PM	#13
Nanook Ancient Eskimo Legend Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 41,852 Blog Entries: 11	Sure thing. I wish I could give you advice, but I don't have the knowledge. Perhaps a structural engineer or something along those lines could advise? If it were my tank, I would take pictures of the crack and have some of the experts on RC take a look at it, perhaps James at Envision Acrylic, or the guys at Miracles Aquarium Co. Worse case scenario is pretty scary, so, depending on what these guys say, it might be time to get a new tank. __________________ The wind blew, the chit flew, and then they came two by two. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Current Tank Info: 375g Tanganyikan Tank & 470g mixed reef

01/12/2010, 08:22 PM	#14
Nanook Ancient Eskimo Legend Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 41,852 Blog Entries: 11	BTW, I have Robert Hunter's book of poetry __________________ The wind blew, the chit flew, and then they came two by two. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Current Tank Info: 375g Tanganyikan Tank & 470g mixed reef

01/12/2010, 08:24 PM	#15
Losungen Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 110	It was bow valley that caught my eye on this post. Good ol Mitch is still in business somehow. They just moved shop but still here in town. If you want his cell number lemme know, its about the only to get ahold of him... He magically dissapears if there's any issues. I've one tank built by him... Learned my lesson that's for sure.

01/12/2010, 08:38 PM	#16
Chicago Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: earth Posts: 3,218	i had to have two built buy him. .. thing is they really look nice and all.. yes please pm. __________________ "If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will" ..famous poet.. Current Tank Info: 500 gal starphire, reef sps dominated, 40 plus fish, 300 gallon sump in basement below, reeftek calcium reactor, reeftek kalkwasser reactor, lifeguard fluidized filter for rowaphose, 4 400MH 10k xm, 2 160 vho super attinic, DYI 50 gallon denitrator

01/12/2010, 10:19 PM	#17
Chicago Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: earth Posts: 3,218	who builds large tanks on site near chicago...maybe replace laminated front glass on site...???/ thoughts on acrylic for new tank... who would want a nice reptile glass tank?? __________________ "If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will" ..famous poet.. Current Tank Info: 500 gal starphire, reef sps dominated, 40 plus fish, 300 gallon sump in basement below, reeftek calcium reactor, reeftek kalkwasser reactor, lifeguard fluidized filter for rowaphose, 4 400MH 10k xm, 2 160 vho super attinic, DYI 50 gallon denitrator

01/13/2010, 08:38 AM	#18
Chicago Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: earth Posts: 3,218	need name of local tank builder.. thanks __________________ "If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will" ..famous poet.. Current Tank Info: 500 gal starphire, reef sps dominated, 40 plus fish, 300 gallon sump in basement below, reeftek calcium reactor, reeftek kalkwasser reactor, lifeguard fluidized filter for rowaphose, 4 400MH 10k xm, 2 160 vho super attinic, DYI 50 gallon denitrator

01/13/2010, 11:05 AM	#19
Losungen Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 110	You got pm

01/13/2010, 01:14 PM	#20
Chicago Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: earth Posts: 3,218	thanks.. __________________ "If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will" ..famous poet.. Current Tank Info: 500 gal starphire, reef sps dominated, 40 plus fish, 300 gallon sump in basement below, reeftek calcium reactor, reeftek kalkwasser reactor, lifeguard fluidized filter for rowaphose, 4 400MH 10k xm, 2 160 vho super attinic, DYI 50 gallon denitrator

01/13/2010, 01:26 PM	#21
urastame Moved On Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: West Coast Posts: 51	Best of luck to you Chicago.......

01/13/2010, 01:29 PM	#22
Chicago Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: earth Posts: 3,218	does mitch answer the phone.. ?? at bow valley ? __________________ "If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will" ..famous poet.. Current Tank Info: 500 gal starphire, reef sps dominated, 40 plus fish, 300 gallon sump in basement below, reeftek calcium reactor, reeftek kalkwasser reactor, lifeguard fluidized filter for rowaphose, 4 400MH 10k xm, 2 160 vho super attinic, DYI 50 gallon denitrator

01/13/2010, 01:45 PM	#23
Chicago Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: earth Posts: 3,218	ok.. got a hold of mitch.. was very nice over the phone...actually talked about a lot.. he asked me to send him some pics.. says the tank is strong and laminated fronts are quite strong.. something i knew before. his thought was that this might not be crack but maybe something with laminate.. he thought it was strange that the crack if that is what it is cannot be felt on either side.. in other words can glass crack which has crack only on helf the diameter of the glass. in other words .. glas sis 5/8 thick and crack is 1/8 thick and runs two inches long.?? __________________ "If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will" ..famous poet.. Current Tank Info: 500 gal starphire, reef sps dominated, 40 plus fish, 300 gallon sump in basement below, reeftek calcium reactor, reeftek kalkwasser reactor, lifeguard fluidized filter for rowaphose, 4 400MH 10k xm, 2 160 vho super attinic, DYI 50 gallon denitrator

01/13/2010, 02:03 PM	#25
Chicago Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: earth Posts: 3,218	you may be right on that.. the tank is actually long since it has over flows on each side that are additional 8 inches per side. tank height is 31 .. gue3s i need to go back and look. __________________ "If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will" ..famous poet.. Current Tank Info: 500 gal starphire, reef sps dominated, 40 plus fish, 300 gallon sump in basement below, reeftek calcium reactor, reeftek kalkwasser reactor, lifeguard fluidized filter for rowaphose, 4 400MH 10k xm, 2 160 vho super attinic, DYI 50 gallon denitrator