How to fix a cracked tank?

[James B.]

I brought home a tank I just got for dirt cheap because it has a crack in the corner and need to know the best way to tackle fixing it.
The crack is on the front pain in the bottom corner it doesn't look like it goes past the sealant on the inside of the tank and curves back out to the edge, not into the tank.
What's the best way to fix it? Buy a whole new piece for the front or reinforce that corner some how.
Here's a couple of pics so you can see the crack.

 

[Dr Joe]

How big is this tank?

 

[James B.]

125 gallon and the crack is on one of the 6 foot sides

 

[mercury904]

putting a lot of silicon on the inside might work

 

[Dr Joe]

First thing I would do is use a windshield repair kit (for stone chips) and clamp it lightly (just enough to put pressure on the chip with the glue, about a good finger pressure) not enough to crack the chip. Add some silicone to the inside (1/2" around the chip, clean old silicone with alcohol first, silicone does not adhere to itself remember) let everything cure for a week and pressure test it.

Is the bottom brace broken?

Dr Joe

.

 

[CATFISH mick]

LOOKING AT THE PHOTO THE SILICONE DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE ANY AIR BUBBLES WITHIN THE SILICONE JOINT, THIS IS GOOD NEWS AS THE SEAL IS NOT BROKEN. TO REPAIR I WOULD CLEAN THE INSIDE JOINT WITH A SHARP RAZOR BLADE AND WIPE WITH THINNERS. THEN CUT A STRIP OF 6MM GLASS 50MM WIDE. PUMP SILICONE INTO THE INSIDE OF THE JOINT, DON'T BE SHY HERE PUMP IT IN THERE, THEN CAREFULLY PRESS THE STRIP OF GLASS INTO THIS SILICONE ON A 45 DEGREE ANGLE TO FORM A GUSSET, PRESS GLASS INTO THIS UNTIL THERE IS NO AIR POCKETS UNDERNEATH, IF THERE IS SOME AIR, CAREFULLY REMOVE AND ADD SOME MORE SILICONE. ONCE IT IS IN PLACE WIPE OFF THE EXCESS THEN LEAVE FOR AT LEAST A WEEK LONGER IF POSSIBLE THEN PRESSURE TEST WITH A FULL LOAD OF WATER FOR ANOTHER WEEK. KEEP THE TANK OUT OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT DURING THIS PROCESS. ONCE DRY AND PRESSURE TESTED THEN YOU MIGHT WANT TO ADD A PLASTIC COVER STRIP TO THE OUTSIDE CORNER OF THE TANK USING SILICONE AS THIS WILL HIDE THE CHIP AND THE REPAIR.

THEN WHEN ALL THIS IS DONE FINGERS CROSSED.

 

[jerrym]

fix some clay there and then some permanent glue will do it.

try that.. it might work

 

[Dr Joe]

fix some clay there and then some permanent glue will do it.

try that.. it might work

Why not, it's not your livingroom huh?

 

[James B.]

No Dr.Joe their is no bottom brace on the tank that is just rubber cut to fit to keep the glass off the Metal stand it came with. The only brace is the moulding around the top of the tank.