How can I fix a cracked tank?

salty420 said:
if it's just going to be your sump couldn't you just keep the water level below that point? hmm maybe not in case of power failure tho...
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That was my thought.....the water level *shouldn't* reach this level unless there is a power outage, and even then I am going to try and set it up so that it only comes within an inch or two of the top. I know that the pressure of water in a tank is pushing down for the most part, not out. I'm thinking about "wicking" super glue into the cracks and then adding a patch or two of glass on the inside and outside.
And of course test filling it in the garage:D.
Thanks!!
Robbie
 
kjr928 said:
Your tank is only as strong as its weakest corner. I think you might have a problem with that joint being weakened, and I wouldn't risk having a 30g rupture all over my house.

I would bring the tank back to the lfs and tell them you think it happened on the way home. See what they say - they may just offer you a new one for free and send this one out for repairs.

My snake's cage cracked on the way home from picking it up. I contacted the store and told them it happened in the car and they said they would replace it for free, no problem.
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That's an idea....maybe I'll talk to them tomorrow.
thanks!
Robbie
 
salty420 said:
if it's just going to be your sump couldn't you just keep the water level below that point? hmm maybe not in case of power failure tho...
Click to expand...

Even if the water level is reduced below the damage, the weight of the water will still cause a lot of pressure on those seams. I still wouldn't risk it for any extended period of time. The damage a rupture would cause would probably be a lot more than $60 - not to mention the value of the time it would take to clean up.
 
kjr928 said:
Even if the water level is reduced below the damage, the weight of the water will still cause a lot of pressure on those seams. I still wouldn't risk it for any extended period of time. The damage a rupture would cause would probably be a lot more than $60 - not to mention the value of the time it would take to clean up.
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Ah nuts. You people with your "rational" posts....:D
j/k. Looks like I should make another trip to the LFS.
robbie
 
if that doesnt work out for you....id pick up some marine epoxy or any marine adhesive and glob that gunk on the inside and outside of the corner. it only costs about $8. do both sides to assure that there wont be that much pressure on the broken glass. ask the LFS about what to do as well. if they are loyal like you say then they wont try to cheat you out of your money. hope i could help
 
Since it is only a 30... Yeah I would go for it. Epoxy or glass siliconed over the booboo.

Any bigger tank I wouldn't.

I would then run it normally up to the crack. If it goes over that during power outages I'd not worry.

I've run my 55's 5 inches deeper than they were designed many times so these tanks all have some design reserves.
 
For a box of water, I don't think I'd trust a small patch. As other have said, it's already weakened the joint, so why take the chance. Talk to your LFS, and if they say they can't do anything, then I would recommend one of 2 ways to repair the tank

1) comletely replace the side that is cracked

2) get a piece of class cut to fit instide the cracked pane, strip the silicone off it, and silicone the new pane to the bottom, sides and cracked pane, then silicone the joints to make sure they are sealed.

Since it's a sump, I would likely go with the second option if I wasn't comfortable about working with silicone. Less chance of a poorly sealed section actually leaking.
 
Robbie there are people that put patches over drilled holes in tanks and they work. I'm not sure how exactly but they do. Why not call the store you bought it from, explain what happened and use their knowledge. I am sure they probably have done something like that before. I also think NolaPete has done some work like that before as well. You might PM him.
 
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