COme to find out my floor is actually out of level a little bit... sagging to the side that cracked. I will be getting underneath the house into the crawlspace to try and brace and lift the beams about 3/4" That is about how out of levelness it is. From front to back of the tank, it is out of levelness about half an inch (Being the back is sagging). I'm no scientist, but given the way the plastic cracked, this seems to me like the levelness is definitely cause of the crack. I would never have guessed how level a tank is could cause a problem like this. But sitting back and actually thinking about it, it definitely makes sense how this 6 foot rigid pice of glass could be stressed when slightly out of level. Thanks all for all your input.
Is my tank about to break? Help!
- Thread starter hcky4206sic6
- Start date
You have the classic twisting force; when one corner is higher or lower relative to the other three corners. The bottom panel of glass usually does not break as the corners of the bottom pane can easily twist up and down without fracturing. It's the silicon seams and the vertical panels of glass the can't take the twist.
Don't listen to the 12 year olds that are telling you not to listen to the 13 year olds. Level the floor/stand as best you can then put a 3/4" foam mat (not styrofoam) between the tank and stand.
Don't listen to the 12 year olds that are telling you not to listen to the 13 year olds. Level the floor/stand as best you can then put a 3/4" foam mat (not styrofoam) between the tank and stand.
Ok I have a major update in this case. When doing my weekly water change, I noticed the plastic cross piece on top is broken. You know the pieces that divides the tank into three seperate sections for lights and such? Well on one end of one of them, it is completely broken... about an inch gap between the two ends where it broke (rear). The forward side shows signs of a crack. There are also signs of a crack on the front and rear sides of the other two cross members. Is this a good enough explanation? I got new glass tops recently, and they didn't fit perfectly so I wedged them in there... maybe a 16th of an inch for all three of them. Could this have caused the cracks and the complete split on the one? Ugh this is nerve racking...
If I explained poorly, let me know and I'll get picks up asap.
If I explained poorly, let me know and I'll get picks up asap.
could be. the frame does need to be replaced. the braces according to the manufacturers DO add support by preventing the glass from bowing.
I know at my LFS they cut the brace off of a 120g perfecto and it is bowing considerably. hasn't broken yet, but it may or begin to leak in the future..
I know at my LFS they cut the brace off of a 120g perfecto and it is bowing considerably. hasn't broken yet, but it may or begin to leak in the future..
Alright, here's the pics anyway, though I see one of you got what I was talking about. Sorry for the poor quality, I need a new camera, and the lights were off... sleepy time for the fish. Anyway, the first one shows where it completely separated. The second one shows the whole piece. The upper (rear) side is where it separated, the lower (forward) side is where ther is evidence of a crack. The other two cross members show evidence of cracking on both forward and rear sides. I have unwedged the glass tops in case that was what was doing it. Anybody else think that that could have caused that? Is there a way I could repair this or replace this? All knowledge is appreciated.
I wish I would have taken a picture of the tank that I had that cracked. I just took a piece of stainless steel, with to holes on each end, drilled each side of the plastic and bolted it back together. I was working with what I had at the moment. But you should be able to just get some JB Weld or plastic epoxy to glue the pieces back together.
vfc;3003526; said:
You can feel free to question my thoughts as I am not an engineer, but I suggest you find out who has knowledge and who doesn't before you start throwing stones. Chompers is one of THE most knowledgeable people in this section. I'd think twice before doubting what he has to say.
Pharaoh;3007700; said:
I can picture what you did with the steel, no need for a picture, lol. That would seem like an efficient (yet eyesore) type of repair... or did it not look too bad? As far as the epoxy goes, once the clamp is loosened, won't the tendancy of the glass to want to bow just pull it back apart? I didn't think the epoxy would be strong enough. I also looked into JB Weld, but it said nothing about being able to be used on plastic... have you used it effectively on tanks before? Also, every epoxy I looked at said it wasn't to be used on polyethylene and polypropylene plastics. Any idea if the plastic on the tanks is made of this?
Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure I do a good job at fixing this.
It might be worth a shot. But actually, wil lids and a top, you wouldn't even see the metal that was used to brace te tank.
http://jbweld.net/faq.php
Of course, if you want it done 100% right, then you should look at replacing the whole piece of trim.
http://jbweld.net/faq.php
Of course, if you want it done 100% right, then you should look at replacing the whole piece of trim.
Good informative site. I would love to replace the whole trim piece but have not been able to find where I can get a replacement piece. I also have no clue who made the tank. The fact that it is an 80 gallon long, which is no longer made, makes it even tougher.
