Huge crack in my tank. Now what?!?

[Vette4life04]

So ive been working on a 220gl glass tank for the last 4-5 months. Ive been doing a little here and there and was planning to move it in this weekend... only to have the front glass suddenly crack. Its been full of water since monday as i was just doing a leak check of all my plumbing... nothing fell against it or hit it... i just dont know what happened to cause it to crack like that considering its fairly thick glass

So now my question, what do i do now? Do i replace the glass panel? Do i scrap the whole project? Do i try to find a replacement tank? I just refinished the stand redid all the plumbing.... totally heartbeaking! Thanks in advance!

 

[lowbudget]

was the tank level? i would find a new tank

 

[Smite]

That sucks, sorry it happened. But be glad you leaked tested it and this didnt happen once it was stocked and in your house, could have been worse.

If you have ton of money into the stand buy a similar tank or have one made, otherwise I'd be searching for a new setup.

 

[OGFrenchHorn]

was the tank level? i would find a new tank

This. If the stand was not level or flat it created stress on the glass. If this is the case it will keep on happening. Did you put anything between the tank and stand? Like styrofoam of a yoga mat?

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[Vette4life04]

was the tank level? i would find a new tank

Yeah i just leveled it... although i wonder if the shims i used to level it gave way... i havent had a chance to look at it yet.

 

[Vette4life04]

This. If the stand was not level or flat it created stress on the glass. If this is the case it will keep on happening. Did you put anything between the tank and stand? Like styrofoam of a yoga mat?

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No it was just on a wood stand...

 

[Vette4life04]

That sucks, sorry it happened. But be glad you leaked tested it and this didnt happen once it was stocked and in your house, could have been worse.

If you have ton of money into the stand buy a similar tank or have one made, otherwise I'd be searching for a new setup.

Yeah glad it didnt happen in the house with fish... my wife would of lost her mind...

Wondering if it would be cost effective to just replace the panel?

 

[Vette4life04]

I just put so much time and effort into refinishing the stand and redoing all of the plumbing. Id hate to have to start over from scratch. Im going to look into having the panel replaced before i start looking for a new set up. Although that 240 leemar set up for sell looks nice. I just dont think my wife will justify a 3k purchase.

 

[lowbudget]

Yeah i just leveled it... although i wonder if the shims i used to level it gave way... i havent had a chance to look at it yet.

talking about the base where the tank meets the stand. that is more important than the stand level with the floor. for it to crack like that top center, was it braced in the middle of the tank or euro braced.

 

[Vette4life04]

talking about the base where the tank meets the stand. that is more important than the stand level with the floor. for it to crack like that top center, was it braced in the middle of the tank or euro braced.

Everything was level. The stand the tank... it had two very thick braces in the top... and they were both very secured. The tank also had a frame, so the bottom glass wasnt sitting directly on the stand...

 

[lowbudget]

Everything was level. The stand the tank... it had two very thick braces in the top... and they were both very secured. The tank also had a frame, so the bottom glass wasnt sitting directly on the stand...

maybe need a piece of foam in between the tank and stand.

 

[Vette4life04]

maybe need a piece of foam in between the tank and stand.

Maybe... but need to replace the glass first... :suicide:

 

[lowbudget]

Maybe... but need to replace the glass first... :suicide:

lol..

 

[five.five-six]

The tank doesnt even have to be level but the stand needs to support the tank evenly all along the base.

 

[joseserrano]

I would just get a new tank replacing the glass will be a pain and pricey.

 

[Vette4life04]

The tank doesnt even have to be level but the stand needs to support the tank evenly all along the base.

Well after thinking it over i shimmed the ends to level it but i forgot to support the center of the stand... so im thinking that caused it to flex enough to crack the glass. Live and learn i guess.

 

[Vette4life04]

So i just got a quote for starphire glass of about 250 dollars... i would have to do the replacement myself... but for that much i think ill give it a try before i spend the money on a replacement and give it a try

 

[iammrhappy]

+1 on the foam and yoga mats. I was so paranoid on mine I used both.

Foam on bottom and yoga mats on top of foam then tank on top of yoga mat


4 corners of the tank need to have contact with the stand. That's mandatory

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[gumbii]

exactly what 556 said... shims aren't an easy thing to use either.. you can't just use 4-5 shims and be okay with it... it needs a series of shims with no gaps... and you have to make sure that with the pressure of the tank, the stand's surface is level and will bare the weight evenly... just because the tank is level, the stand could be putting too much pressure/strain on one corner, and cause the crack...

 

[five.five-six]

I shimmed my stand but I shimmed under the plywood top that supports the glass. Then take a business card when the tank is empty and run it along the tank/stand joint and if the card slips in, thats where you have a problem.

In practical application, 1-2 business cards is probably not too bad especially if the gap doesnt span 18 but shoot for perfection.

$250 for starfire is the way to go, just take your time and make sure to clean all the old silicone off. There are several DIY videos on youtube.

Allow several days to a week for the silicone to cure before adding water.