Acrylic tank Seam separation

[TheWolfman]

I have a major problem on my hands. The seam on my tank is separating and is growing quickly. I noticed it over the weekend and five days later it has doubled in size. It’s about 6” in length currently. I dropped the water level below 50 percent and I am going to drain the tank and move the fish out this weekend.

I originally planned to inject weld on 4 into the seam and clamp it. Now I’m not sure if that will cut it. Starting to think I need to tip and pour with 40. Anyone with experience please chime in here Lepisosteus TexasMFK31

 

[deeda]

Check out wednesday13 posts Weld on 40 and 42 on using tip and pour and maybe even adding acrylic rod to the corners.

 

[Lepisosteus]

I have a major problem on my hands. The seam on my tank is separating and is growing quickly. I noticed it over the weekend and five days later it has doubled in size. It’s about 6” in length currently. I dropped the water level below 50 percent and I am going to drain the tank and move the fish out this weekend.

I originally planned to inject weld on 4 into the seam and clamp it. Now I’m not sure if that will cut it. Starting to think I need to tip and pour with 40. Anyone with experience please chime in here Lepisosteus TexasMFK31

You got it. Drain completely, angle, and pour. You can use weldon 4.

 

[Backfromthedead]

Best of luck with the fix. I'm assuming it's one if the vertical seams. Was there any warning? Bubbles in the seam or bowing?

 

[TheWolfman]

You got it. Drain completely, angle, and pour. You can use weldon 4.

My plan was to stand the tank on its side and use the syringe to inject from the outside and then clamp. Should I do this first and then a few days later when it’s fully cured tip and pour the inside of the tank with 4 or 40? Is tip and pouring the tank necessary?

I’m a bit worried how rapidly this thing came out of nowhere and spread fast. Thinking about other seams on the tank now.

 

[TheWolfman]

Best of luck with the fix. I'm assuming it's one if the vertical seams. Was there any warning? Bubbles in the seam or bowing?

The tank has always had a few bubbles in the seams and the top of the tank has a outward bow, the bottom of the tank was bowed originally and is sitting directly on plywood that I shimmed to sit flush. It’s been setup a year now so shocked to have this pop up. Starting to wonder if I should have had it on foam. I read a lot of conflicting info on it but people that I regard highly recommend no foam. There is no bowing vertically or horizontally on the tank and it’s 3/4” acrylic and 28” tall.

 

[TheWolfman]

Forgot to attach the pic.

 

[Backfromthedead]

The tank has always had a few bubbles in the seams and the top of the tank has a outward bow, the bottom of the tank was bowed originally and is sitting directly on plywood that I shimmed to sit flush. It’s been setup a year now so shocked to have this pop up. Starting to wonder if I should have had it on foam. I read a lot of conflicting info on it but people that I regard highly recommend no foam. There is no bowing vertically or horizontally on the tank and it’s 3/4” acrylic and 28” tall.

Hmmmm I've always heard no foam necessary under acrylic but doubt that's the problem. I dont think anybody could make a reasonable argument that it was set up wrong (ie your fault) instead of obviously being a manufacturer defect (their fault). The builder have a warranty?

 

[dr exum]

damn, sorry....

i got one of those rubbermaid stock tanks cheap if you gotta store your fish somewhere-

best of luck!

 

[TheWolfman]

Seems separation is spreading area is now about 10 inches, tank is a secondhand tank no warranty or fingers to point. Need to get it fixed, not sure about how to do repair at this point leaning towards weld on 40 in all corners and repairing at once. Don’t know how much to get anyone have any suggestions?