Squirt Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 Hi all, My neighbors tank has cracked. Tanks roughly 90x30x45cm (LxWxH). It is the base of the tank and it has cracked in an X shape, about 20x20cm. What would be the best course of action? Repair the base with a glass patch and silicone in between, or replace the whole base of the tank. Is it safe to patch it? Would use 5mm glass. Since it is in the corner, I would have to remove some silicone on the inside and then place the glass in the corner so it sits flush to the side glass (does that make sense? :roll: ). Other option which is clearly more expensive is to replace the whole base, remove the silicone and clean it up then replace the base. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diver21 Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 my advice is dont listen to ryan! Patch should work. keen everything clean as possible and ive heard that new silicone dosent stick well to old silicone Idealy a new base would be nice and wouldnt be that expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zuri08 Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 first thing to do is sand the top of the cracks with fine sand paper to remove build up then use a glob of silicone on each join of the cracks only do this lightly and smooth it out the add the silicone to middle and then back over the joins and should be sweet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted June 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 Oh ok, so adding a glass support would help aswell? Just for peace of mind? I've got some 180 grit sandpaper from my last project so will just use that. She said she'll pick up some silicone (aquarium safe) tomorrow so I will see how it goes :thup: Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zuri08 Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 yea thats what im meaning do the silicone how i said then add the add glass patch over top then silicone the edges.again best to sand edges aswell as gives a good surface to stick to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 Steady on I'm very good at fixing up cracked tanks, my only failures have been the tanks that are bigger than 3ft! So I recommend replacing the glass on anything bigger than that.. Biggest thing with repairing cracks is to make sure that it has finished running its course and there are no points where it might continue from. No point in patching it if when you put water in the crack will continue or spread. As for repairing it, obviously replacing the whole bottom is the best bet, but cutting all the silicone off the inside cleaning off the glass and patching it works well. Make sure you run some silicone over the cracks and then stick the patch on then seal around it and it should be all good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted June 21, 2012 Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 don't forget to re install it correctly, most cracked bottoms are due to incorrect installation. the rest are due to moving the tank and dropping things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted June 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 I think it was because it was sitting on a trapezium shaped tv stand and that corner wasn't on the stand hence the crack Thanks all for the suggestions I will head around soon and install the patch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted June 21, 2012 Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 TBH I'd ring Greg to get a price for a new one before mucking about trying to fix it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted June 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 Yeah, I went round today and well anther crack down the other end of the tank has developed. I told her to look into replacing the bottom panel or go to the LFS to get a custom made fish tank made. I figured it wasn't safe patching two cracks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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