How can I fix this tank?

[Chrisplosion]

As a few of you may know, I picked up a free 130 gallon tank. The bottom of it has a V crack. Since its a rimless tank the bottom of the tank is completely flat. Was told I could just seal it.

1. Could I seal both sides of the bottom and then put a "patch" piece of glass over the crack?

2. How thick a cut of glass should I use for the patch 1/8" or 1/4".

3. I know theres some debate over it but whats the best strongest sealant to use. How much and where?

Any advice would be helpful. Would like to avoid replacing the the bottom if possible.

 

[johno27]

I personally wouldn't trust 130 gallons of water in my house with a bottom like that

But if I was going to do it I would silicone a piece of glass inside the tank well beyond the edge of both cracks and then cross my fingers

If it was just one crack it would make me less nervous but if that triangle gets popped out under the pressure of water some how it will be a mess. I would make sure to set it on something very level too

 

[Chrisplosion]

I personally wouldn't trust 130 gallons of water in my house with a bottom like that

But if I was going to do it I would silicone a piece of glass inside the tank well beyond the edge of both cracks and then cross my fingers

If it was just one crack it would make me less nervous but if that triangle gets popped out under the pressure of water some how it will be a mess. I would make sure to set it on something very level too

Thats what I wanted to do.

 

[Younglin]

If the bottom is completely flat then I think it would be fine. Put a piece of glass that is the same thickness as the bottom and seal it up. I would fill it outside though. Or in a garage at least and leave it for a few days to make sure it will take the pressure.

 

[siang]

i would deffo put a big patch on, and seal it from underneath too. nasty crack, any idea how it happened? nice tank though

 

[Cookie*]

Glass patch on inside and outside of tank with tons of silicone compressed tightly. Then siliconed around the perimeters of the glass patches as well. Make sure after it is patched up, the rest of the bottom of the tank is evenly distributed with the glass patch. I would also do a outside or garage test of a couple of weeks to be double sure before putting the tank in the interior of the house fully filled and running. I would attempt that fix for sure tho. Kinda a pain in the arse, but worth it. The tank looks really nice with the exception of the bottom break, and that can be covered with substrate as long as you can get it water worthy. Best of luck.

 

[kdrun76]

I patch sealed a crack on an end pane of a 70 gallon tank. The crack was right at the bottom. Rather than glass I used lexan, but I think for the bottom I would use glass. Take the tank to a glasier and ask for tempered glass.

You will be impressed with a.) how cheap it is to buy and b.) how much inside information they can give you on how to do the job properly.


I bought a replacement pane for a 450 gallon tank and then started asking about a 1000 questions for how to support the weight of the glass and water and this and that... I was getting a large pane of 3/4" untempered glass and it was only $50. It came with a zillion dollars worth of info!

 

[Chrisplosion]

I patch sealed a crack on an end pane of a 70 gallon tank. The crack was right at the bottom. Rather than glass I used lexan, but I think for the bottom I would use glass. Take the tank to a glasier and ask for tempered glass.

You will be impressed with a.) how cheap it is to buy and b.) how much inside information they can give you on how to do the job properly.


I bought a replacement pane for a 450 gallon tank and then started asking about a 1000 questions for how to support the weight of the glass and water and this and that... I was getting a large pane of 3/4" untempered glass and it was only $50. It came with a zillion dollars worth of info!

I asked how much for a 6ft 1/2" pane tempered and it was gonna be like $140, should have asked for 5ft.

So is non tempered cheaper? What sucks is the tank is kinda hex and the crack is in partly in the corner so I will have to get the glasser to gut the right angle.