Crack in aquarium need advice!

[kiwdahc]

While drilling my second hole for my 1500GPH overflow a small 2 inch crack grew above the hole towards the top of the 92 gallon corner aquarium. I need to know where to go from here, I am open to all ideas ranging from siliconing the crack and using the aquarium, to completely throwing it away and buying a new one. I do not wish to have any problems with this in the future and want peace of mind as you guys can probably tell I am fairly upset about this considering this tank is very hard to find, and I have been planning and building up everything for this tank for around 2-3 months.

Here are some pictures:

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[tonytheboss1]

:bandana: JMPO but 90g is a lot of water to have to clean up. "T"

[rickztahone]

ugghh, that is too bad! IF, you are dead set on keeping this setup, and want to make this work, there is a somewhat safer way to try to salvage this project. Keep in mind, I am not recommending this, but if you are absolutely dead set on making it work, you can buy a square piece of glass, the thicker the better. Drill the exact same type of hole in to the square glass piece and then silicone that piece (heavily siliconed) at the rear of hole. This in turn might make the crack more reenforced and might prevent a leak. It is far safer than simply leaving it alone and waiting for disaster to happen. Furthermore, and this may be a very valid option, you may consider doing a bean animal overflow, like on my current tank. The reason I suggest this is because you wouldn't be able to see the mended piece, additionally, you can completely cover it up with two pieces of glass, front and back, even if looks ugly, and drill another hole on another side (far away from this weak point). You can even use the drilled out glass piece and use a lot of silicone to wedge it between 2 pieces of glass.

Again, these are just ideas of the steps you could possibly take to try to salvage this. It looks like a bad crack, so keep that in mind. You can always sell it off as a terrain tank.

Disclaimer, I claim no responsibility if you were to take me up on my suggestion. Do it at your own risk.

[MKD]

reptile housing.

[kiwdahc]

Would having an aquarium shop replace the panel be an option? Or is that just as risky? I would be willing to spend $400-$500 to have a completely new panel installed predrilled.

[rickztahone]

Would having an aquarium shop replace the panel be an option? Or is that just as risky? I would be willing to spend $400-$500 to have a completely new panel installed predrilled.

If they knew what they were doing then yes. That would mean a complete silicone strip down, re-silicone and cure and water test guaranteed seal. Have you tried sourcing another one with these dimensions?

[afriend]

Just a guess, but IMO the crack will spread with a temperature change or when the water pressure is applied, regardless of how you try to reinforce it. Best bet is to get a professional to replace the glass, if you can find someone.

[Eddie]

I'd replace the whole pane.

[nc0gnet0]

well, replacing the pane is the best option, but if you wanted to attempt to seal it, I wouldn't bother with silicone. Try some envirotex lite two part epoxy, and pour it over the cracked area at least 3-4 inches beyond the crack at about 1/8 of an inch thickness. let cure, then do the same to the opposite side. The part that worries me the most is the end of the crack, you could try to drill a hole at the tip so it stops running.....

-Rick

[pastry]

I'd replace the whole pane.

Plus one. As long as frame is sound, then replace pane. If crack in glass identified, drill "stop" hole, but I wouldn't do it with glass. Hell, best thing, pour one gallon of water on your floor... Then times by 90... You don't want that brother. I'd say repair current tank, use as sump, but put a drip pan in and possibly leak alarm in pan. I wouldn't get rid of tank altogether.

[kiwdahc]

Thanks for all the help guys, I have called a few shops and left a message for pricing on a complete repair, the only problem is the tank is discontinued and rather rare so a new frame is hard to find. If I can not find a shop to completely and professionally replace the whole pane I have found the exact same tank 3 hours north of my current location that I am going to go pick up, this time around I am either going to have it professionally drilled or practice tons on this tank before I go ahead and do it.

[Kal-El]

I suggest contacting a glass specialist (at Glass shop) and they should be able to tell you if your crack there is even fixable.

[pitdogg2]

glass got too hot and you may of pushed too hard. Looking at both holes looks like it may of started chattering that last bit which usually means not enough lube in the hole...

[rickztahone]

glass got too hot and you may of pushed too hard. Looking at both holes looks like it may of started chattering that last bit which usually means not enough lube in the hole...

yeah, that looks like what happened. When drilling glass, I have read and seen that the more water the better. Drilling from the inside makes it easier as you can fill the bottom with water and have it be the lube. Let only the weight of the drill put the pressure needed, and don't force it at any point. I wish you luck finding a replacement or someone to fix it.

[Kal-El]

yeah, that looks like what happened. When drilling glass, I have read and seen that the more water the better. Drilling from the inside makes it easier as you can fill the bottom with water and have it be the lube. Let only the weight of the drill put the pressure needed, and don't force it at any point. I wish you luck finding a replacement or someone to fix it.


Agreed. Joey DIY video says it all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZBm3iDWcZg

[DJW]

Silicone will seal the leak, but you also have a structural problem that might get worse in a hurry. I would get a piece of glass to surround the hole and cut a hole the same size. Glue it on with a thin layer of epoxy, a rigid glue. The bulkhead itself will provide some structural stability. Then fill it with water *outside* and even thump on it a little to test it.

I have drilled a lot of holes in tile for plumbing fixtures, and you have to go really slow with hardly any pressure, especially at the end when the bit wants to grab.

[DISCUS STU]

I'm not familiar with this type of setup pictured, but after trying to save a leaky 90 gal., and also a 55, I've found that "fixing" a leaky tank is often a lost, and messy, cause.

My neighbors downstairs can attest to this as they were none too happy to receive the water from my leaky 90. Luckily, or so, the leak was only a small one and 1/4 of the way down from the top. I caught it after about 10 gals. had leaked onto the floor. After draining the whole thing and working with the best advice I could find on the net and consulting with one "expert", I tried in vain at three times to fix the pin size leak at the seam of the side and the back. Maybe my skill set wasn't up to it, but I've never been able to do this with any permanence. Sometimes it works in the short term but I've mostly found that in the end a new tank was called for.

Recommended for anyone who does undertake this, you must get "Aquarium Safe" silicone sealant. Other types of silicone sealants, commonly found in Home Depot or other hardware stores, usually contain anti fungal/bacterial agents that are detrimental to your fish's health.

[DJW]

Stu, now you've got me all worried about the 90g tank in the dining room. Found it on Craigslist nice and cheap, but it leaked like crazy, probably where I tore out the overflow. I added a bunch of silicone and its been doing fine for several months and it better stay fine because that hardwood floor wasn't cheap.

[rickztahone]

Stu, now you've got me all worried about the 90g tank in the dining room. Found it on Craigslist nice and cheap, but it leaked like crazy, probably where I tore out the overflow. I added a bunch of silicone and its been doing fine for several months and it better stay fine because that hardwood floor wasn't cheap.

It is just a bandaid fix for now.

[lksdrinker]

Geeze, Maybe I'm a risk taker; but I wouldnt worry about that at all. The holes are for an overflow right? That means the water level will never be above roughly the middle of the holes your drilled? In my mind that means even if the crack were to leak water it should never be an issue; and it really shouldn't see any pressure. I'm sure there is always the chance that the crack might spread; and unfortunately it looks like it is curving back down towards the rest of the "important" glass which could eventually lead to a problem. Might even be able to avoid any potential issue there by drilling yet another hole (tiny) where the crack ends and/or drilling one huge hole that would remove the initial hole you drilled and the portion thats cracked (assuming the drilling process doesn't cause the crack to spread much further).

If it were me, I'd bring the tank outside and fill it up to the approximate level that you would be running the completed aquarium. Maybe use a black marker to mark the end of the crack before filling it up and see if the crack changes at all. Worst case scenario you watch the whole thing fail; but it leaks outside and no big deal.

[DJW]

I have fixed other leaky tanks before and maybe I've just been lucky but I don't think I have ever had one spring a leak out of the blue. It happens to people though. Mostly I have used hard water, which has a way of fixing its own leaks.

[Skip]

whatever you do.. you better have that tank running OUTSIDE the house.. garage.. patio.. etc.. if it breaks your safe from damages to home..

if replacing glass panes was easy.. everyone would be doing it when tank springs a leak, and we would not buy brand new ones..
you get a tank this big.. its going to cost.. also.. glass company is not necessary.. aquarium makers.. and they probably may not sell to you for fear of liability..

imo.. safest thing.. scrape the tank.. practice your glass drilling technique on the tank.. and when ready.. get another tank.. sure it will cost.. but it will give you peace of mind.. tanks are suppose to be relaxing.. not something that stresses you everyday.. wondering if this will be the day the tank breaks.. being away from home with fish in tank would be a whole another set of worries..

good luck on what you decide..

[Chad Hughes]

I wouldn't worry about it at all. I have been there and done this with several tanks (and I've drilled 100s of holes) with upper bulkhead fitting cracks. Your crack is headed north towards a silicone seal under the rim of the tank, that's a good thing. I've had them crack 3" up to the silicone seal under the tank edge with no leaks. When you install the bulkhead fitting, the crack will be almost 100% under the fitting seal. These cracks are very tight and under no pressure. Just my $.02!

Best wishes!

[rickztahone]

I wouldn't worry about it at all. I have been there and done this with several tanks (and I've drilled 100s of holes) with upper bulkhead fitting cracks. Your crack is headed north towards a silicone seal under the rim of the tank, that's a good thing. I've had them crack 3" up to the silicone seal under the tank edge with no leaks. When you install the bulkhead fitting, the crack will be almost 100% under the fitting seal. These cracks are very tight and under no pressure. Just my $.02!

Best wishes!

I'll tell you one thing OP, the gentlemen that just responded to you is one I have trusted for YEARS with advice. I would take his advice to the bank :)

Chad, pleasure seeing you bud.

[Chad Hughes]

I'll tell you one thing OP, the gentlemen that just responded to you is one I have trusted for YEARS with advice. I would take his advice to the bank :)

Chad, pleasure seeing you bud.

Hey Rick!

Thanks for the kind words brother! It's good to be back on the forum. I was away far too long.

You know me, I do stuff that works, no untried theories here. ;)

[JEP23]

Id just get a new tank.... I got my 92g and stand for $250 on craigslist

[JEP23]

I wouldn't worry about it at all. I have been there and done this with several tanks (and I've drilled 100s of holes) with upper bulkhead fitting cracks. Your crack is headed north towards a silicone seal under the rim of the tank, that's a good thing. I've had them crack 3" up to the silicone seal under the tank edge with no leaks. When you install the bulkhead fitting, the crack will be almost 100% under the fitting seal. These cracks are very tight and under no pressure. Just my $.02!

Best wishes!

You going to give him new carpet and ceiling and walls after 92g of water spills in the tank ?


It isnt worth taking that risk... I had only 15 gallons leak from a 44g corner tank once and it was a near disaster... the entire room was filled with water, it leaked through the ceiling and caused the drywall to sag.. I had to replace the drywall ceiling and respatula and tape it and repaint the whole ceiling..

[lksdrinker]

Dont know why anyone would waste their money and simply ditch this thing without at least taking it outside and filling it up to see what happens! If you ditch that tank, send it on my way! I'll give it a whirl!

[Chad Hughes]

You going to give him new carpet and ceiling and walls after 92g of water spills in the tank ?


It isnt worth taking that risk... I had only 15 gallons leak from a 44g corner tank once and it was a near disaster... the entire room was filled with water, it leaked through the ceiling and caused the drywall to sag.. I had to replace the drywall ceiling and respatula and tape it and repaint the whole ceiling..

Why did your tank leak?

[John_Nicholson]

Just got back in town. this is a tough one. I had a 29 gallon that did that and I used it for years without any issues, but it was only a 29 gallon tank. I would suggest replacing that piece of glass.

-john