View Full Version : big tank problem
First of all thanks for the help with my skimmer question. The tank we got was used so i decided to fill it outside to check for leaks. Good thing i did one whole corner from top to bottom leaks. my question is can i save this tank. Its roughly a 300 gallon tank measurments are 96 long 30 wide and 24 deep. Its not glass but 3/4 inch plexiglass or maybe lexan. Is there any way to reseal this without a chance for future leaks. 300 gallons of salt water on the living room floor does not sound to appealing. Any help would be greatly appresated i really want to set up this tank
slipknottin
05-06-2003, 10:28 PM
any way you can get a picture of the crack?
tonka
05-06-2003, 10:40 PM
Its not a crack but the seam itself where the 2 pieces meet. I'll try to get a picture of it
DeltaUguy
05-07-2003, 6:54 AM
What are the existing seals made of?
there are no seals everything is just glued together no calking or sealant ill get a picture of it when i get home from work
slipknottin
05-07-2003, 11:17 AM
It is an acrylic tank, so the "joints" are done with weld-on, which, when properly applied, bonds the two pieces together.
When mis-applied you will have alot of hazing and bubbles in the joints. Or, in some cases, gaps where it wasent applied and this will cause cracks. If the rest of the joint is hazy and has alot of bubbles, I would drain the entire tank immediatly.
i drained it as soon as i saw the leak it is hazy and has alot of bubbles on the seam is there any way to repair it
slipknottin
05-07-2003, 8:51 PM
the seam will fail under pressure, and there is no real way to repair it.
Thats not the reply i was hoping for
slipknottin
05-07-2003, 9:55 PM
Sorry, I have talked to acrylic tank manufacturers on this issue. A tank with a poor joint that is bubbly and hazy can not really be fixed. The acrylic is sort of "half bonded" together.
The only real way to fix it would be to break the bonds completely, and redo them. Though if its anywhere near as difficult as pulling apart two pieces of glass siliconed together, you would be better off buying a new one.
a_free_bird73
05-08-2003, 3:25 AM
I agree with above conclusion.
The short answer is, it can be fixed but it is probably not worth it because there is no way you can do it your self. You will have to get it done by a specialist (though before you totally give up on it, it is worth asking).
These things are chemically bonded and if one side is in the condition you described, then at least that whole side would have to be cut open (Its too diffecult to un-glue it), re-cut cleanly and then rebonded.
There was an article about someone with a very large tank that cracked because of lighting and it was chemically rebonded by a specialist. I don't know the article but it would be worth locating it and contacting this person. You may want to search under lighting/acrylic/crack/disaster and see how you go
thanks for the info i'll let you know what i end up doing . thanks again