Custom build tank leak in ten days - Help

louis18 · 05/02/2018, 08:48 AM

Size: 7 feet X 3 feet X 4 feet

Leak: Within 10 days leaks from bottom

Sign: The top glass support that runs horizontally are cracked on both sides.

What might have caused it ?

The tank was custom build 10 days ago and suddenly it started to leak from bottom. The glass supports on the top of the tank on both sides are cracked. What might have caused this. It was filled with water and no fishes yet. The tank is seated in a wooden cabinet on front and back side it has wood frame. Can the wood frame expand of moisture and pressurize the glass aquarium and crack it. please give me your suggestions

mcgyvr · 05/02/2018, 10:27 AM

Shouldn't you be discussing this with the tank manufacturer?
Or is the tank builder you?

Regardless..Is it leaking at a crack or just at a seal? Where is it leaking exactly? Is this a trimmed or rimless tank? Pics of stand? and so many other variables as to why it failed..
Glass thickness? adhesive used? blah blah blah blah..

We can all take wild guesses if you want.. Its really useless information though.. You would need to provide far more information/pictures,etc.. if you want anything besides a WAG..

I'll go with it sounds like its a eurobraced tank (I quess thats what you mean with your "sign: comment") and the eurobracing was done improperly causing joints to be stressed beyond their capability..

billdogg · 05/03/2018, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Shouldn't you be discussing this with the tank manufacturer?
Or is the tank builder you?

Regardless..Is it leaking at a crack or just at a seal? Where is it leaking exactly? Is this a trimmed or rimless tank? Pics of stand? and so many other variables as to why it failed..
Glass thickness? adhesive used? blah blah blah blah..

We can all take wild guesses if you want.. Its really useless information though.. You would need to provide far more information/pictures,etc.. if you want anything besides a WAG..

I'll go with it sounds like its a eurobraced tank (I quess thats what you mean with your "sign: comment") and the eurobracing was done improperly causing joints to be stressed beyond their capability..

^^^This^^^

More information please, and include pictures!

MarkS · 05/03/2018, 12:50 PM

What would the recommended silicone cure time be on a tank of that size?

mcgyvr · 05/03/2018, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkS

What would the recommended silicone cure time be on a tank of that size?

That depends on the type used and the maximum bead thickness..
Consult the manufacturers information..

Its also a good idea to run a test bead as thick as your thickest bead that you can routinely slice into to check for complete cure through..

thecoralreefer · 05/03/2018, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkS

What would the recommended silicone cure time be on a tank of that size?

Roughly 3 days
The joint itself is not that thick
The internal part is thin too if applied properly
Silicon is really very strong.
If you did not support with a styro bottom
This could cause cracking from the sheer weight.
If your stand is weak
Tank will crack
Longer one need that cushion to settle in right.
And imperfection in the base may seem small but a 1/8 gap can cause a crack when you fill and settle
In your size I would use like a 2in styro padding it will squish in level when you fill it.
I had one 8 ft long on 1 in but it was only 12 inches deep

Devolver · 05/04/2018, 07:21 AM

if the top glass horizontal bracing (I assume euro bracing) is cracked on both sides, lends me to believe that the stand is to blame. weather it is out of level or you did not add the proper foam under the tank.

as always the more info you offer the better we can help.

Any manufacturer that is half way reputable is going to have a guarantee on a tank that expensive....check with them

Indymann99 · 05/07/2018, 06:27 PM

Tank that big... Acrylic only.

mcgyvr · 05/08/2018, 04:54 AM

@louis18 where did you go louis... Come back to us and give us more information.. and pictures,etc...

RobZilla04 · 05/08/2018, 08:08 AM

Full tank fail & Louis drowned???

MarkS · 05/08/2018, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indymann99

Tank that big... Acrylic only.

Or plywood. That was my personal preference.

The reason for me asking about curing time was due to my confusion. It's been a great while since I've been active in this hobby. I remember something about a week of curing time, but now that I think about it, that is recommended for epoxy on plywood tanks. My mistake. I was thinking that if the tank is ten days old, maybe the silicone hadn't fully cured.

05/02/2018, 08:48 AM	#1
louis18 Registered Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 1	Custom build tank leak in ten days - Help Size: 7 feet X 3 feet X 4 feet Leak: Within 10 days leaks from bottom Sign: The top glass support that runs horizontally are cracked on both sides. What might have caused it ? The tank was custom build 10 days ago and suddenly it started to leak from bottom. The glass supports on the top of the tank on both sides are cracked. What might have caused this. It was filled with water and no fishes yet. The tank is seated in a wooden cabinet on front and back side it has wood frame. Can the wood frame expand of moisture and pressurize the glass aquarium and crack it. please give me your suggestions

05/02/2018, 10:27 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Shouldn't you be discussing this with the tank manufacturer? Or is the tank builder you? Regardless..Is it leaking at a crack or just at a seal? Where is it leaking exactly? Is this a trimmed or rimless tank? Pics of stand? and so many other variables as to why it failed.. Glass thickness? adhesive used? blah blah blah blah.. We can all take wild guesses if you want.. Its really useless information though.. You would need to provide far more information/pictures,etc.. if you want anything besides a WAG.. I'll go with it sounds like its a eurobraced tank (I quess thats what you mean with your "sign: comment") and the eurobracing was done improperly causing joints to be stressed beyond their capability.. __________________ Who me?

05/07/2018, 06:27 PM	#8
Indymann99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,447	Tank that big... Acrylic only. __________________ 120g DT 100lbs LR / 200 lbs LS, 45g fuge, VectraM1 Return, Herbie drain, 4x RW-8, 2x AI Hydra 26 w AWM, ASM G2, Apex controller, Apex BoB w floats ATO

05/08/2018, 04:54 AM	#9
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	@louis18 where did you go louis... Come back to us and give us more information.. and pictures,etc... __________________ Who me?

05/08/2018, 08:08 AM	#10
RobZilla04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 1,857	Full tank fail & Louis drowned??? __________________ 90g Mixed Reef

05/03/2018, 12:50 PM	#4
MarkS Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 3,256	What would the recommended silicone cure time be on a tank of that size?

05/04/2018, 07:21 AM	#7
Devolver Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 137	if the top glass horizontal bracing (I assume euro bracing) is cracked on both sides, lends me to believe that the stand is to blame. weather it is out of level or you did not add the proper foam under the tank. as always the more info you offer the better we can help. Any manufacturer that is half way reputable is going to have a guarantee on a tank that expensive....check with them