I have a 125 (found in garbage) that has a crack on the front side. It runs from about the middle of on side, on down to about the middle of the bottom. I am going to replace the glass, but have heard that I might need to dis-assemble the whole aquarium, and redo the whole thing. I'm scared to do this, since it might not be necessary to do??! I've been contemplating this for a long time and was wondering if anybody thinks that it would be a good idea. I have read posts of you guys doing smaller tanks, up to 55gal. But I am anitimdated to do one so large.
Repairing 125 cracks!!
- Thread starter Cichlid Freak
- Start date
Id becareful If your doing it yourself, 125g's glass has alot of pressure placed apon it. If I were you id take it to a glass shop and see If someone there could install a new 1/2" front peice. hth
ive heard that some people get a peice of glass cut to the right size and then use adhesive to just glue it over the cracked peice. but I dont think it is for a tank of that size. hth
personally I would have the piece taken out or take it out yourself and the put the new piece in. You can take the whole take to the shop and show them the place you need the glass put. It shouldn't be that hard for them to do that for you.
As a rule the need to totally dis-assemble the tank falls under one of three reasons.
#1. the seals are old or questionable on the rest of the tank
#2. the glass you need to remove/replace cannot be removed without dis assembling
#3. It is impossible to get a good continuous bead of silicane from old to new therefore the integrity is lessened unless you do it all.
I would say #3 is you biggest worry, if it looks like you can adhere the seams well enough it's worth a try, but it is your house that risks 125g of fishy water on the floor. Continuous beads tend to have less of a tendancy to separate under pressure. And when building a tank, the silicone is pretty much all continuous so there are no seams or places for it to split. I personally would take it clear apart, and re-do the entire tank. It really isn't that bad of a job, but you will have to take your time to do it well. I have never done anything as big as a 125, but given my experience with a couple of 55's and other small tanks I wouldn't be scared of a big tank at all. My best advice is practice assembly and securing of the glass a couple of times before you open the silicone tube. All of my problems and failure have come when I hurried or didn't practice. Check out all of the tank building and repair sites you can find to get pointers and Ideas. I am by no means an expert tank builder, but have salvaged several yard sale tanks in my life and would do it again if the price was right.
HTH
Thank you for your reply's guys. 'stunt 101' I've heard about siliconing another piece on top also, but I don't think it would be a good idea. I can physically move the glass where it is broken back and forth with little pressure. Also, It's an old style aquarium without a support in the middle. Which is another topic of making one.
'Dean' I have thought about getting a professional, but there is a neighbor friend of mine that used to work at an aquarium manufacturer (or so he says) which gave me the idea in the first place. But I don't know of any glass shops around, I'll have to look into that.
'johnnyxxl' as 'daveedka' stated I do believe that it would be best to re-assemable the entire aquarium. The existing silicone looks half-way decent, but I don't know about trusting it after I've cut into it. For the reasons listed by 'daveedka'.
Thank yo all for your advise, and it has inspired me to start cutting it up and getting it prepared for re-assemably. Is there a special technique, or tool I should use for cutting out the old silicone?? I looked at it, and as I said earlier, it's an older tank and the silicone is really thick!!:shake:
I'll probably start fooling around with it this weekend. I'll let you know what happens. Thanks again.
'Dean' I have thought about getting a professional, but there is a neighbor friend of mine that used to work at an aquarium manufacturer (or so he says) which gave me the idea in the first place. But I don't know of any glass shops around, I'll have to look into that.
'johnnyxxl' as 'daveedka' stated I do believe that it would be best to re-assemable the entire aquarium. The existing silicone looks half-way decent, but I don't know about trusting it after I've cut into it. For the reasons listed by 'daveedka'.
Thank yo all for your advise, and it has inspired me to start cutting it up and getting it prepared for re-assemably. Is there a special technique, or tool I should use for cutting out the old silicone?? I looked at it, and as I said earlier, it's an older tank and the silicone is really thick!!:shake:
I'll probably start fooling around with it this weekend. I'll let you know what happens. Thanks again.
I used a razor blade scraper, rubbing alchol (SP) and windex. I have taken two or three tanks apart and repaired the silicone or glass in them. I actually have a picture of one of the ones I rebuilt. I am looking for parts to rebuild the hoods light fixture now. Local hardware shops don't have the lamp fixtures that small lol?
Johnnyxxl.
Johnnyxxl.
Same here, razor blades or utility knofe blades, Be very carefull and don't hurry. Resist the urge to try to pry pieces apart, pinpoint pressure will crack glass easily. The hardest part for me was always getting the rims to lift off, once you get that the rest cuts apart pretty easily. You might try to buy a rim with a brace, they shouldn't be overly expensive. I don't know if they would sell you one but try here they are a very helpful and friendly company and do custom sales. I just bought two tanks from them and would reccomend them to anyone.Class cages .com They should have a rim that is braced, and would fit you tank if you give them accurate dimensions.
Thanks again guys. I am glad that you could give so much help. I'll keep you guys posted, and maybe take some pics (probably have questions as I go along) while I'm doing it.
One the best things for removing silicon is acetone. Once you have the majority of the silicon scraped off with a razor take the acetone to it with a rag and it will "melt" away.
Another fact you may want to check it the integrity of the framing on the tank. I have heard that a major part of the strength of the tank is in the black molding on the top and bottom of the tank.
My 75 gallon had cracks in the molding and the seams eventually let go and I had water everywhere ... new carpets - big mess - a place you don't want to visit with a 150 gallon.
Another fact you may want to check it the integrity of the framing on the tank. I have heard that a major part of the strength of the tank is in the black molding on the top and bottom of the tank.
My 75 gallon had cracks in the molding and the seams eventually let go and I had water everywhere ... new carpets - big mess - a place you don't want to visit with a 150 gallon.