3.5 Yrs and I think my Tank is gonna crack ?? Help ??

musictoyz · #1 04/20/2007, 06:59 PM

This white patch has been getting worse, now there is a crack. The company that made the tank is MIA....I dont know if I can fix it ?????

Just bumming if I have to take it alllllll apart and start over !

Atleast I can do the upgrades I want to !

yaktop · #2 04/20/2007, 08:47 PM

thats scary............

aztbs · #3 04/20/2007, 08:51 PM

That is terrifying!! I am so sorry, I would get the water out of the ASAP. With the crack, I think that piece of glass would need to be replaced. Your tank and stand is gorgeous. I hate to see this.

Acrylics · #4 04/20/2007, 08:59 PM

I'd be shopping around about now. The acrylic is scalloped and canot be repaired effectively without actually cutting the tank up and starting over, and even then - no real guarantees. I hate saying that but IMO that's the deal, wish I could say something different and feel good about it but ...

James

musictoyz · #5 04/20/2007, 09:05 PM

Is there anything I should or could do to buy myself 2 or 3 months to plan and buy everything....if I could get that time

I could buy the tank in April, the new sump in May, the plumbing in June and rip it down in July

1 - who makes the best tanks these days..??

2 - what do I do with everything I have ? Setup a 100G tank in the basement ?

Acrylics · #6 04/20/2007, 09:18 PM

Can't really tell how long it will last, I've seen them stay like that for a while but I've also seen them go quickly. The fact that it's growing is the major concern IMO. Given the present condition, my guess is that anything done to repair it would most likely hasten any potential failure.
Do you have (reefkeeping) friends or an LFS nearby that could "babysit" for a while? or at least be somewhat on call?

I can't answer question #1 but if you can swing it - I'd look into getting a 100-120gal basement tank to house the critters until you get a new tank, esp if you can't find a sitter.

HTH,
James

yaktop · #7 04/20/2007, 09:21 PM

not sure if you have eractic or tremoundous flow, if you have a wave box or "pulsing" action you may want to minimize or eliminate that for now it will create more stress. good luck.

musictoyz · #8 04/20/2007, 09:22 PM

Im up in Maine...I get everything Internet there is nothing around here....

Im think I will get 2 Rubbermaid Horse thorses and make a temp 100 G tank in the basement...the sump and everything is done there already...then I can remove the molding....pull the tank out....decide if I want to remove the shelf on the side and go 220G tank while Im at it ???

gary greguire · #9 04/20/2007, 09:31 PM

my 125 has been like that on the edge for 1.5 years and I have a wave box in it...
knock on wood........

AngeloM3 · #10 04/20/2007, 09:37 PM

For tanks....... I think from best to worse it goes..........

1- Acrylic w/ Starphire Acrylic
2- Acrylic
3- Oceanic brand
4- AGA brand

JayS · #11 04/20/2007, 09:44 PM

I would go to tractor supply and get either 150g or 300g of the below. They are usually under $100.

musictoyz · #12 04/20/2007, 09:44 PM

Acrylic w/ Starphire Acrylic

I cant even find anything on this? I can find Starphire Glass ??

links ?

musictoyz · #13 04/20/2007, 09:44 PM

Jay S Thats exactly what I was thinking of doing...there are farm stores up here !

JayS · #14 04/20/2007, 09:45 PM

Yes starphire is glass with lower iron content (clearer, less greenish/blue tint then regular glass). Not sure what he's talking about.

musictoyz · #15 04/20/2007, 09:50 PM

I want to stay acrylic...do to insulation factor and it gets very cold in Maine...and also scratch factor....which this tanks has some but glass is for life.....

plus you can drill it

crescent1 · #16 04/20/2007, 09:52 PM

I would not delay any longer if i were you, that tank is going to blow apart.

JayS · #17 04/20/2007, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by musictoyz
I want to stay acrylic...do to insulation factor and it gets very cold in Maine...and also scratch factor....which this tanks has some but glass is for life.....

plus you can drill it

James at http://www.envisionacrylics.com/ makes some of the nicest, highest quality acrylic tanks I've seen. He did my sump and its great.

musictoyz · #18 04/20/2007, 10:01 PM

niceee....but west coast WAHHHH

freight is a killer

chaffey · #19 04/21/2007, 05:59 PM

I have a 300 gal envision tank and I must say it's better than clear4life or anyother acrylic tanks I have seen before.

asnatlas · #20 04/22/2007, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JayS
I would go to tractor supply and get either 150g or 300g of the below. They are usually under $100.

mytscstore.com

100gal = $70.00ish
150gal = $120.00ish
300gal = $200.00ish

kevinpo · #21 04/22/2007, 09:32 AM

Hello,
I have the same problem

A couple of 2x4's and some bar clamps will buy you a few months time. It looks ugly but you will sleep a little better.

Regards,
Kevin

xinumaster · #22 04/23/2007, 01:48 PM

You could probably weld an "L" bar acrylic on that side temporarily while you're still trying to figure out your options.

musictoyz · #23 04/23/2007, 01:54 PM

thats what I was thinking a piece of L acylic...where do you get such a thing ?

thriceanangel · #24 04/23/2007, 03:33 PM

Make it into a plywood tank. Do the same thing as L pieces of acrylic, but do it out of nice hardwood. Then go across the top as well to hold the corners in. Basically make a frame around each pane of glass- including the back, and glue and clamp them together, and make sure that each wood/glass contact point is siliconed well. It will make a compression seal that will last forver, and if you do it right, it will look awesome too. For more info on plywood tanks- these guys do it right, and may be able to answer questions. www.fingerlakesreef.com
Don't panic though. You'll have to find a temporary spot for your livestock, as you don't want water in the tank when you do this. But other than that, you shouldn't worry if you do it this way.

gregmoeck · #25 04/23/2007, 03:36 PM

I personally wouldnt trust it, you could go to work and come back and everything be dry/dead. I would get that drained ASAP.

put livestock in a cheaper 90gallon or something until you can get a tank.

I had an african tank once when I lived in an apartment, hardwood floors, vintage building. I came home one afternoon and all water was gone. Tank cracked. I still dont know what happened to the water, my downstairs neighbor never said anything.