250 Gal. Bottom Repair

[aquaticrep]

Hi,

I am new to this forum, but I have a 250+/- gal. aquarium with a broken bottom. I've been reading many threads about DYI fixes & repairs.

My big question is whether a couple of coats of drylock paint, followed be layers of epoxy, would be enough to create a new "bottom"? I really don't care how the bottom looks, so long as it holds water.

The glass is 3/4" - 1" thick, and the tank is 36dx36wx48h. Yeah, it's pretty big. Easily, it weighs 400 lbs empty, so trying to flip it to take the bottom out & replace it is not worthwhile.

I have been told that a fix is impossible but have not given up hope. What do the monster fish keepers think?

 

[buck_wildest]

silicon glass on the inside and bracing the bottom of the glass with plywood would work better i think. i doubt anyone here has real experience with this size/type of fix but i did it on a 55 gallon and it is still running. but 2500 lbs of water is something i am not going to risk even in my garage.

 

[the-obstacle]

I have a 60x30x24 tank that I've just replaced the base on. After all the effort to try to save it I ultimately smashed it out and bought a new sheet of glass cut to the right size and replaced it.

I tried the internal glass sheet - couldn't get a smooth layer underneath it as the bracing got in the way so as soon as the water went on it it would have flexed and cracked the new glass.

I didn't think about filling it with epoxy but surely a new bit of glass and a tube of silicon would be cheaper? It'll certainly look better.

 

[aquaticrep]

Thanks. I don't plan to fill it completely. Instead, I plan on creating a paludarium with about 1/5 to 1/3 of the volume comprised of water.

Nevertheless, the weight of the whole thing is a huge consideration.

Thanks for your suggestions!

 

[Arowana718]

too much weight on crack glass = a disaster