Questions about compromised structural integrity and skirting the issue

[fishdat]

I recently picked up a marineland rimless cube for $50 new because it was damaged in shipping.

I'm thinking about making a 3D background and using sprayfoam. I'm wondering if the sprayfoam would sufficiently brace the corner; as well as if it would cause the pane to shatter/crack further/etc or just leak with water contact. I'm going to only fill it 1/3 full if I do end up using it as an aquarium.

Thanks!

 

[fishdat]

Missed a picture

 

[AaronKWolfe]

In the last picture you can see a crack that goes past the silicone line so that tank will leak. You would have to seal that crack up and then it would be fine to use. The bit of cracking at the corners is no big deal unless it's a massive tank that will have tremendous pressure.

 

[Robinhood]

Sir you bought that tank at a good price. If you are at all worried about it replace that cracked pain it is not that hard. Take a piano wire and go down the seam to release the caulking. Scrape clean all effected areas. you can buy from a glass shop a pain with ground edges . recaulk and replace pain clamping till dry. takes about 2 days to complete. I did my 220 gal. tank completely tearing it down , replaced frames and reassembled works great with no leaks.?

 

[the_deeb]

You don’t have to replace the full pane - if you don’t care too much about the aesthetics you could just silicone some small pieces of glass or even plexiglass over the damaged areas on the outside, extending an inch or two beyond the crack. This would prevent leaks and also serve to stabilize the damage and prevent glass shards from flaking off. Since you’re not planning to fill it very high you shouldn’t have to worry much about the pressure.

 

[twentyleagues]

Absolutely do not use that. That will crack the rest of the way across the pane with water pressure. There is not a good way to repair that without removing the pane and replacing it.

 

[skjl47]

if you don’t care too much about the aesthetics you could just silicone some small pieces of glass or even plexiglass over the damaged areas

Hello; I have patched cracked tanks this way before. I usually put the patch on the inside first but have a few times also done the outside. Such a patch can work.
If you go with foam be sure to use "closed cell type foam" . There are two general types (also subtypes) but open cell will allow water to pass. Closed cell type is supposed to form a vapor barrier type skin around all the little bubbles. Foam can add structural strength but I am not sure how to gauge that. I am also not sure what density type of foam you ought to consider, but for strength maybe a higher density is my guess ((but only a guess)
Lastly what ever method you decide to use , I suggest setting the tank up in a place for a couple months where leaks will not do damage.

 

[the_deeb]

I appreciate there’s a risk, but I had a 56g column tank with a similarly cracked back pane that I patched in exactly the way I suggested above. I had it set up as a paludarium with a diy styrofoam background siliconed to the inside and filled around 1/3 of the way, much as the OP was planning to do, and I ran it for several years with no issues.