Aquarium Damaged in Move

[357MAGNOLE]

So I got a tank/stand this weekend. Got a great deal on a sweet tank. It's a 130 gallon eurobraced starfire glass.

Problem was, moving it into my house. We sat it down a couple times on concrete seeing as it weighs over 250 lbs while trying to get it in. Unfortunately one of the corners decided it would chip. A good sized sliver came off the corner. Also, in the middle of the right side wall another chunk came out, but it came off in a really thin sheet, it's not cracked, but chipped if that makes sense.

I'll try and attach pictures. The tank is eurobraced and has reinforcements inside the tank corners as well.

But I'm worried these might have done the tank in. Even though they are below where the panes of glass meet and are sealed together. With exception of the piece that came off the right side, it does go up above where the pieces meet together. It's just such a think piece came out. I just don't know what to think. Lack of experience with glass this size.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; let me be the first to chime in. I do not know. While I have some all glass tanks with chips that have held water for years, Your tank may be more damaged.

About the only way I know is to fill it up. If it was mine I would find a place where a leak will not do damage and fill it all the way up. How long to let it sit full will depend on your nerve.

One last thing. The last few decades I have been protecting the edges of my all glass tanks with transparent plastic. I get long clear angled plastic that is made to protect the outside corners of wallpaper jobs. I use clear silicone to glue this to the outside of tanks. Not had a chip when using this.

 

[357MAGNOLE]

That's definitely what I'll do in the future. Didn't even come across as a concern until the first chip happened. I've never had a rimless tank. I'll say this, there's tons of extra support on this euro braced tank. Including extra glass on the inside corners that are siliconed in place. I'm mostly worried about that chip on the side, the glass is really thick and I'd say the sliver that came off is about 1/10th the thickness of the glass if even that.

 

[BIG-G]

The first picture with the sort of radial bands spreading out from the center. Doesn't concern me as much as the others. These types of chips usually stay put and don't run any further.
But the other picture of the corner looks as though the crack runs through the thickness of the glass.
If so, I could never trust it. It looks like there is some internal bracing if you feel that it is strong enough to try it. Do as suggested and test fill it. In the end its your call.

 

[357MAGNOLE]

It doesn't run all the way through, I'd say the chip that came off the corner was about 1/6th the thickness of the glass. It's about 1.5" in length. And it's only the front pane, the connecting left pane didn't receive any damage. There is not any cracks that I can see that run any where. Just that chip that came off. The silicone is slightly exposed from where the front and left panes are joined. But it's probably about 1/10" inch of it. I can fill that gap with an epoxy easily, but also as stated before the inside corners have extra glass in place, it's double sealed. I'll see if I can get a pic of it on here. I'm trying to be optimistic but at the same time I'm afraid it's a loss. I've read another thread on here where several people said they had chipped corners like this and no issues so I'm hoping for the same.

 

[Grinch]

I have a 75g that's been running for 15 years chipped in the corner about 4 inches from surface. This tank has survived 8 moves in that time. I can't tell from pics if you will have similar experience. I would take it outside, level it, fill it, and stand back just in case lol

 

[deeda]

I agree that it can be difficult to recommend what to do without seeing the tank personally.

Judging from your pics, I would use an epoxy that dries clear so any damage would be less visible. I've used it successfully on smaller tanks with larger chips on corners such as a bulls-eye and slivered glass type damages.

I would also make the repairs prior to filling the tank with water.

 

[357MAGNOLE]

Thanks for replies,

I've just about decided it's not worth the risk and worry for me. Gonna post it local and let anyone that wants to try come pick it up. Could be deal of century or at least a big enclosure for some reptiles! Gonna have a custom acrylic built with same specs.

 

[Allan01230]

I was thinking acrylic also not worth the risk imo acrylic will be nice and light a very strong. I had bad experience with used 100 gallon tank 100 gallons can do a lot of damage. plus with the new tank the worrying is gone so you just enjoy the new tank

 

[357MAGNOLE]

Right, agree. I have a guy here in Florida I've been talking to all day, he's going to build me a replacement tank. Same dimensions but 2" shorter (10 less gallons) for $900. I think that's what I'm gonna stick with.