Fire damaged tank

Schadenfreude · 09/16/2013, 06:01 PM

Good day all!

I apologize in advance for the intrusion, as this is a tank question more so than a reef question... However as reef tanks interest me, I figured this would be a good place to start browsing, as well as asking!

So the story is...
So while renting a house with a friend, he gave me a brand new 150 gallon tank that's around 5-6 years old. Unfortunately, it was stored in the garage where a fire broke out. Luckily the fire was put out quickly, and was on the other side, as far from the tank as possible. While the tank didn't come into contact with the tank, heat and smoke did.. Not enough to melt plastic, but I assume a fair amount.

So my question is.... Is the tank salvageable?
I cleaned off the glass with a razor, and it looks brand new again, but I assume the sealant that joins all the glass has absorbed smoke... Can I clean it with something, or perhaps have a shop re-apply the sealant?

I come to you reefers, what can I do?

Hokies83 · 09/16/2013, 06:07 PM

Fill it up with Vinegar water put some power heads on it let it run for a week.

Watching for leaks Etc.

After the weak is up scrub it really good put normal water in it let it run for a day then id say give it a go.

hey.its.me · 09/16/2013, 06:13 PM

I wouldn't worry so much about the silicone absorbing anything. It sounds like your dealing with an acrylic tank vs. glass or are you talking plastic as in the base and rim?

But either way I'd do a trial fill in the garage to see if the silicone joints hold up. If so you should be good. If your concerned about tensile strength of the silicon you could always scrap and replace. You are advised that in doing so you are in for a laborious task there though. It's one of those 'looked easier than it is jobs'.

Schadenfreude · 09/16/2013, 06:46 PM

Thanks for the suggestions!

I apologize on the confusion with the makeup of the tank. It is glass, I was talking about the plastic base and rim. The friend I got it from used to work at Aquatics Unlimited in Milwaukee WI, where a customer ordered a custom made tank. Unfortunately there was a mix-up in the order, and three were actually produced. I don't suppose you guys have seen a member out here in Milwaukee with a similar tank by chance? It has two holes drilled in the bottom of each overflow, and three other holes, for a total of 7.

As for testing it out, I'll see about ordering some plugs for the drilled holes in the bottom and filling it up!

MARINECRITTERS · 09/16/2013, 07:30 PM

Seems fine to me, the silicone seems to be intact fairly well.
You may as well leak test it anyway, you can never be too safe.

sleepydoc · 09/16/2013, 07:31 PM

If the heat wasn't enough to damage the plastic, the silicone seals should be fine. +1 to the advice above.

Simplest way to plug the holes would be with bulkheads, but they would probably stick out too much on the bottom to use without a stand. I would get some (straight) 2x4s and put under the tank in leu of a stand so you could test it.

Savant · 09/17/2013, 06:55 AM

Nice tank, I hope its ok because you can build a slammin reef in that glass box

FsuNole · 09/17/2013, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schadenfreude

Thanks for the suggestions!

I apologize on the confusion with the makeup of the tank. It is glass, I was talking about the plastic base and rim. The friend I got it from used to work at Aquatics Unlimited in Milwaukee WI, where a customer ordered a custom made tank. Unfortunately there was a mix-up in the order, and three were actually produced. I don't suppose you guys have seen a member out here in Milwaukee with a similar tank by chance? It has two holes drilled in the bottom of each overflow, and three other holes, for a total of 7.

As for testing it out, I'll see about ordering some plugs for the drilled holes in the bottom and filling it up!

Just wondering... Any clue what those 3 holes inside the tank were used for? Are they the returns?

Vinny Kreyling · 09/17/2013, 07:43 AM

Yes, they were going to be used for low returns generally using flex piping flowing water in an upwards direction to keep stuff floating and into the overflow boxes.
Looks like a nice tank, Good Luck with it.

hey.its.me · 09/17/2013, 07:48 AM

The left hole (large is the drain) middle hole is for the return bulkhead and the right hole I have no clue. Seems odd that it's outside the baffle?

shifty51008 · 09/17/2013, 08:14 AM

my guess is that the 3 holes outside the overflow would be used for a closed loop, I deff wouldn't be using them as a regular return, loss of power and the tank will completly drain.

Schadenfreude · 09/17/2013, 09:39 AM

I very much appreciate the help on identifying the the holes. I take it that having all your piping coming from the bottom isn't your typical setup...

I have another month of reading before I'm going to try anything with it, but it's always good to know what's what.

Thanks again!

James77 · 09/17/2013, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schadenfreude

I take it that having all your piping coming from the bottom isn't your typical setup...

Actually...it's very common for reef tanks

. That is a typical overflow setup.

cderleth84 · 09/17/2013, 11:49 AM

If you use a check valve on those three returns that are outside the overflow boxes (actually all the returns, even the ones inside the overflow boxes) there will be no risk of draining your tank onto your floor in the event of a power outage.

Vinny Kreyling · 09/17/2013, 12:17 PM

I respectfully disagree on the check valves,
They have a tendency to fail when least expected & unless serviced on a REGULAR BASIS - WILL do so.
And yes the extra holes outside the overflow boxes should be on a closed loop.

09/16/2013, 06:01 PM	#1
Schadenfreude Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Brookfield, WI Posts: 11	Fire damaged tank Good day all! I apologize in advance for the intrusion, as this is a tank question more so than a reef question... However as reef tanks interest me, I figured this would be a good place to start browsing, as well as asking! So the story is... So while renting a house with a friend, he gave me a brand new 150 gallon tank that's around 5-6 years old. Unfortunately, it was stored in the garage where a fire broke out. Luckily the fire was put out quickly, and was on the other side, as far from the tank as possible. While the tank didn't come into contact with the tank, heat and smoke did.. Not enough to melt plastic, but I assume a fair amount. So my question is.... Is the tank salvageable? I cleaned off the glass with a razor, and it looks brand new again, but I assume the sealant that joins all the glass has absorbed smoke... Can I clean it with something, or perhaps have a shop re-apply the sealant? I come to you reefers, what can I do?

09/16/2013, 07:30 PM	#5
MARINECRITTERS Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 1,525	Seems fine to me, the silicone seems to be intact fairly well. You may as well leak test it anyway, you can never be too safe. __________________ MarineCritters, life in the sea is superb Current Tank Info: 91 Gallon Reef

09/16/2013, 07:31 PM	#6
sleepydoc Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,907	If the heat wasn't enough to damage the plastic, the silicone seals should be fine. +1 to the advice above. Simplest way to plug the holes would be with bulkheads, but they would probably stick out too much on the bottom to use without a stand. I would get some (straight) 2x4s and put under the tank in leu of a stand so you could test it. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 120 gallon, coast to coast overflow w/beananimal overflow. Waveline DC 10000 II return pump, 40 gal sump, Octopus XS200 skimmer, T5 lighting

09/17/2013, 06:55 AM	#7
Savant Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: N.E. Pa Posts: 402	Nice tank, I hope its ok because you can build a slammin reef in that glass box __________________ ____________ Will Tank Info: 105g DT l 100g sump l remote fuge 40g l Photon 48V2 LED l Diablo XS200 l APEX to run the show

09/17/2013, 08:14 AM	#11
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	my guess is that the 3 holes outside the overflow would be used for a closed loop, I deff wouldn't be using them as a regular return, loss of power and the tank will completly drain. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

09/16/2013, 06:07 PM	#2
Hokies83 Moved On Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Roanoke Va Posts: 347	Fill it up with Vinegar water put some power heads on it let it run for a week. Watching for leaks Etc. After the weak is up scrub it really good put normal water in it let it run for a day then id say give it a go.

09/16/2013, 06:13 PM	#3
hey.its.me Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: NW New Jersey Posts: 69	I wouldn't worry so much about the silicone absorbing anything. It sounds like your dealing with an acrylic tank vs. glass or are you talking plastic as in the base and rim? But either way I'd do a trial fill in the garage to see if the silicone joints hold up. If so you should be good. If your concerned about tensile strength of the silicon you could always scrap and replace. You are advised that in doing so you are in for a laborious task there though. It's one of those 'looked easier than it is jobs'.

09/16/2013, 06:46 PM	#4
Schadenfreude Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Brookfield, WI Posts: 11	Thanks for the suggestions! I apologize on the confusion with the makeup of the tank. It is glass, I was talking about the plastic base and rim. The friend I got it from used to work at Aquatics Unlimited in Milwaukee WI, where a customer ordered a custom made tank. Unfortunately there was a mix-up in the order, and three were actually produced. I don't suppose you guys have seen a member out here in Milwaukee with a similar tank by chance? It has two holes drilled in the bottom of each overflow, and three other holes, for a total of 7. As for testing it out, I'll see about ordering some plugs for the drilled holes in the bottom and filling it up!

09/17/2013, 07:43 AM	#9
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Yes, they were going to be used for low returns generally using flex piping flowing water in an upwards direction to keep stuff floating and into the overflow boxes. Looks like a nice tank, Good Luck with it.

09/17/2013, 07:48 AM	#10
hey.its.me Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: NW New Jersey Posts: 69	The left hole (large is the drain) middle hole is for the return bulkhead and the right hole I have no clue. Seems odd that it's outside the baffle?

09/17/2013, 09:39 AM	#12
Schadenfreude Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Brookfield, WI Posts: 11	I very much appreciate the help on identifying the the holes. I take it that having all your piping coming from the bottom isn't your typical setup... I have another month of reading before I'm going to try anything with it, but it's always good to know what's what. Thanks again!

09/17/2013, 11:49 AM	#14
cderleth84 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: San Francisco Posts: 133	If you use a check valve on those three returns that are outside the overflow boxes (actually all the returns, even the ones inside the overflow boxes) there will be no risk of draining your tank onto your floor in the event of a power outage.

09/17/2013, 12:17 PM	#15
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	I respectfully disagree on the check valves, They have a tendency to fail when least expected & unless serviced on a REGULAR BASIS - WILL do so. And yes the extra holes outside the overflow boxes should be on a closed loop.