FAQs on Glass Aquarium Repair, Chips/Cracks 10
Related Articles:
Aquarium Repair,
Acrylic Aquarium Repair,
Cleaning Aquariums,
Marine Tanks, Stands and Covers,
Used Gear for Marine Systems,
Designer Marine tanks, stands and covers,
Related FAQs:
Chips/Cracks 1,
Chips/Cracks 2,
Chips/Cracks 3,
Chips/Cracks 4,
Chips/Cracks 5,
Chips/Cracks 6,
Chips/Cracks 7,
Chips/Cracks 8,
Chips/Cracks 9,
Chips/Cracks 11, &
Glass Aquarium Repair 1,
Glass Aquarium Repair 2, G lass Aquarium
Repair 3, Glass Aquarium Repair 4, Glass Aquarium Repair 5,
& FAQs on Repairing Glass Tank: Scratches/Blemishes, Cross-Braces, Leaks, Whole
Panes, Tools: Cutting Glass,
Silicone, Moulding/Frames; Techniques; Olde Tank (Slate Bottom, Metal Frame,
Pecora...) Repairs, Troubleshooting/Repairs, &
Acrylic Aquarium
Repair, Used Aquarium
Gear,
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So I was a moron.
Chipped glass tk. repair 8/21/14
This chip is from a strap holding the tank in place for transport, any feelings
on this chip?
<Mmmm; iffy... IF you don't mind the looks... I'd Silicone on some two inch wide
glass verticals on the outside... I would definitely at least "fill in" the
chipped areas with Silastic to protect hands, arms>
Thanks a bunch for any insight.
Paul
<Otherwise... fill half way for... a biotope of some kind. Bob Fenner>
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Re: re: So I was a moron.
8/21/14
Any opinion on the strip thickness?
<Likely 3/16" float is what I'd go with. BobF>
Re: re: So I was a moron.
8/22/14
Thanks!
2xheight of tank and silicone them on the inside or outside? Sorry for
pestering you.
<... Read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/GlasCracks10.htm
and the linked files above; till you understand your options. B>
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Chip in aquarium seam, please help ease my mind
6/12/14
I checked through your site on chips and cracks and I am not sure about
mine.
<Mmm; these "calls" are to some degree subjective... have to do
principally with the apparent extent of chipping, placement
(height/depth), thickness of glass; whether there is obvious
splintering...>
I have a 40 gallon breeder tank, full, with a chip near the top of the
tank in the seam. It has been there for three weeks, not sure if it got
bigger or not. I bought it used and the guy said it should be fine. If I
run my nail over it, it will go in just a bit. The picture with the pen
(upside down I think) is the side view, it seems to have an arch that
goes almost all the way through the glass. The impact side, I put a
lined
notepad next to, hard to get good shot. I tend to worry about things,
need an experienced opinion. Do I need a new tank or am I in the clear?
Thanks so much, Cindy
<Due to the nearness to the top; type of (scallop) break...
I too think you should be okay. I WOULD definitely "fill-in" the sharp
areas with Silastic to prevent cutting your fingers, hands while working
on the tank. Bob Fenner>
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Re: Chip in aquarium seam, please help ease my
mind 6/12/14
Thanks so much!
<You're welcome. BobF>
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Chip in 125 gallon aquarium
Hello,
<Neal>
First, I really appreciate all the FAQs to look through on your site -
they're extremely helpful in giving me a rough idea of what I just got
myself into.
<Welcome>
I just finished building a stand for a used 125 gallon aquarium I had
recently purchased when I accidentally bumped something into the tank
and chipped the glass on what would have been the front panel (pictures
attached). The chip is about 2" from top to bottom at the widest point,
and does not go all the way through the seam (but there's only about
3/16" intact at the narrowest point). I've read through the FAQs and
have seen your advice on these issues, but I'm not 100% sure if it would
be worth the effort to repair or if in your expert opinion it's a lost
cause.
<I would try to effect a repair here. Worth the cost, time (to/for me)
and the looks not important>
A couple specific points about this set-up: This tank is going to stay
outside (I live in FL), and will house a turtle and a few inexpensive
fish so a leak isn't quite as catastrophic as it might be if it were
indoors.
<I see>
I also plan turn it around so the repair is on the back, so if the glass
does blow out it would be against the wooden privacy fence and (I think)
greatly reduce the risk of potential injury if that were to happen.
<Yes>
Unfortunately, that would mean I wouldn't be able to keep an eye on the
chip to see if any new problems with it arise. Finally, I'm not
concerned with aesthetics or losing a little real estate inside the tank
if there are additional things I can do to reduce the chance of tank
failure.
<Not likely to give way if the repair is done... but partially filling
even less likely to fail>
I'm likely to move in the next three years, so if the tank lasts me even
that long, I'll be OK with it (although I suspect either the repair will
be good and it will last indefinitely, or it's already a lost cause). I
plan to cycle the tank for several weeks, so I'm not worried about
losing livestock if a repair fails.
Here are my questions:
1) Would applying a two pieces of glass with aquarium silicone) along
the corner as a brace give me a reasonable amount of assurance that this
chip won't cause a problem?
<Yes>
The glass on this aquarium is 3/8" thick, but I have plenty of spare
1/2" glass from a different 125 gallon tank that I salvaged.
<Even triple strength plate, nom. 1/4 inch thick will do here>
2) Is it more structurally sound to apply the brace on the inside corner
(A in the attached diagram) or on the outside (B or C in the attached
diagram - I wasn't 100% clear on which orientation was best)?
<Outside; B or C...>
3) If I apply a brace to the outside, should it go the entire length
(height) of the tank between the top and bottom plastic frames, or
should I cut parts of the frame away to go the entire height of the
glass)?
<Yes; the entire (exposed; outside the frame) is best>
4) In addition to corner bracing, would it help to "wall off" that
corner of the tank next to the existing overflow (D in the diagram), so
that there is no water pushing directly on that corner - or is that
overkill/structurally useless?
<Not important>
5) I'm pretty sure there are no cracks off the chip, but there are a few
tiny, jagged-looking chips along the lower edge (not sure if you can see
this clearly enough in the close-up shot). I think they're just
secondary clam-shell chips off the "main" chip. Is that anything to be
more concerned about?
<Just being careful while doing the repair to not cut yourself>
Thank you so much for all your help and the wonderful website!
Neal
<Ah, welcome. Bob Fenner>
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Re: Chip in 125 gallon aquarium
Wow! Thanks so much for the quick reply, Bob! That all sounds great. So,
just to be sure, I should use 2" wide pieces of glass on the outside of the
corner, right? or would 4" be better (is that overkill)?
<I'd go with the two inch. Four is not that great an improvement>
I'll probably just buy 1/4" glass from a local glazier because it will
probably be just as cheap as taking in the 1/2" piece to be cut (or close
enough to be worth it for cleaner, ready-to-use pieces).
<Yes... do take care... to have the glass strips beveled... or wear gloves>
Thanks again for your help, I really appreciate it!
Neal
<Welcome. BobF> |
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