Chip on tank dangerous?

jaesong · 11/30/2010, 05:38 AM

Hi guys, I'm not too sure where else I can ask this.

I just moved this tank to my apartment and I noticed that there's now a small chip on the side of my 90 gallon. It's in the corner and doesn't look like it's a structural hit, but I'm worried that it's dangerous. Also, in an apartment. Pictures below.

Can anyone shed some light on whether or not I'm safe to setup my tank, or if I need to repair/replace?

agreeive?fish · 11/30/2010, 06:24 AM

pics are missing

it all depends on the chip, the size, the location,any spiders off the chip ect

my 7ft 200g has a few "corner" chips and i have had it up for over 5 yeras with my particular chips and dont even think about them unless i see a chipped tank thread

mike_cmu04 · 11/30/2010, 09:55 AM

I cant see the pics either. The chip would be ok if it isnt very deep or is closer to the top.

cmtbears21 · 11/30/2010, 10:00 AM

I don't see pics, so I think he forgot to attach them. I have chips in 2 corners of my tank (happened while moving the tank) They haven't posed a problem but they aren't too deep.

-Matt

jaesong · 12/01/2010, 12:35 AM

I guess they didn't stay up. The chip is near the mid-top area, but does not look too deep.

dots · 12/01/2010, 12:46 AM

It could last for years, and probably will. However, if it was enough force to chip the glass....it could have moved the seam....not enough to make it leak today, or even in a year....but odds are that it will be one of the places it starts to fail if the tank does go south.

Just like a chip in your windshield, the sharp planes are where a crack may start....but how many times have you heard that happening?

Odds are it will be just fine....but I would use it personally to rationalize/justify that upgrade you will want in a year or two......"just to be safe"

Bambalam · 12/01/2010, 12:56 AM

That doesn't look good. I work in the auto glass industry, and any time a chip is the entire thickness of the pane of glass it definitely affects the structural strength of the glass.

jaesong · 12/01/2010, 02:27 AM

Thank you for your input guys.

Bambalam, I'm not sure if I understand you 100%. There was a loose glass piece that was part of the chip that I've removed to get a better picture/idea. I just want to be sure.

It's on the outer wall of the tank, on the very end. It's not near any silicone and has no cracks or splinters visible. What do you think?

Edit: Oops, I didn't resize one properly. Sorry.

Bambalam · 12/01/2010, 09:23 AM

Ahh, I can see the chip better with the new set of pics. I was wrong about the chip being the entire thickness of the glass. It doesn't look like there would be any way to file the chip to smooth out the edges; that would help prevent stress cracks (imagine fault lines).
The tank may last for years, or it may break and let out 90 gallons of water in your apartment. Sorry I can't offer much help on a repair.

jaesong · 12/01/2010, 11:55 PM

Sounds good.

Thanks Bambalam

11/30/2010, 05:38 AM	#1
jaesong Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Soft Cloud Posts: 24	Chip on tank dangerous? Hi guys, I'm not too sure where else I can ask this. I just moved this tank to my apartment and I noticed that there's now a small chip on the side of my 90 gallon. It's in the corner and doesn't look like it's a structural hit, but I'm worried that it's dangerous. Also, in an apartment. Pictures below. Can anyone shed some light on whether or not I'm safe to setup my tank, or if I need to repair/replace?

11/30/2010, 09:55 AM	#3
mike_cmu04 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Shepherd, Mi Posts: 2,348	I cant see the pics either. The chip would be ok if it isnt very deep or is closer to the top. __________________ 92 Gallon corner tank, 2-radion gen 2 led lights, 2 mp40's Current Tank Info: 92 Gallon Corner Tank

12/01/2010, 12:46 AM	#6
dots Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 6,258	It could last for years, and probably will. However, if it was enough force to chip the glass....it could have moved the seam....not enough to make it leak today, or even in a year....but odds are that it will be one of the places it starts to fail if the tank does go south. Just like a chip in your windshield, the sharp planes are where a crack may start....but how many times have you heard that happening? Odds are it will be just fine....but I would use it personally to rationalize/justify that upgrade you will want in a year or two......"just to be safe" __________________ ~Doug

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11/30/2010, 06:24 AM	#2
agreeive?fish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,803	pics are missing it all depends on the chip, the size, the location,any spiders off the chip ect my 7ft 200g has a few "corner" chips and i have had it up for over 5 yeras with my particular chips and dont even think about them unless i see a chipped tank thread

11/30/2010, 10:00 AM	#4
cmtbears21 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 66	I don't see pics, so I think he forgot to attach them. I have chips in 2 corners of my tank (happened while moving the tank) They haven't posed a problem but they aren't too deep. -Matt

12/01/2010, 12:35 AM	#5
jaesong Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Soft Cloud Posts: 24	I guess they didn't stay up. The chip is near the mid-top area, but does not look too deep.

12/01/2010, 12:56 AM	#7
Bambalam Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: OH Posts: 688	That doesn't look good. I work in the auto glass industry, and any time a chip is the entire thickness of the pane of glass it definitely affects the structural strength of the glass.

12/01/2010, 02:27 AM	#8
jaesong Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Soft Cloud Posts: 24	Thank you for your input guys. Bambalam, I'm not sure if I understand you 100%. There was a loose glass piece that was part of the chip that I've removed to get a better picture/idea. I just want to be sure. It's on the outer wall of the tank, on the very end. It's not near any silicone and has no cracks or splinters visible. What do you think? Edit: Oops, I didn't resize one properly. Sorry.

12/01/2010, 09:23 AM	#9
Bambalam Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: OH Posts: 688	Ahh, I can see the chip better with the new set of pics. I was wrong about the chip being the entire thickness of the glass. It doesn't look like there would be any way to file the chip to smooth out the edges; that would help prevent stress cracks (imagine fault lines). The tank may last for years, or it may break and let out 90 gallons of water in your apartment. Sorry I can't offer much help on a repair.

12/01/2010, 11:55 PM	#10
jaesong Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Soft Cloud Posts: 24	Sounds good. Thanks Bambalam