Cracked 300 gallon tank

[swimboy123]

Hey everyone, I've had a 300 gallon tank in my garage for the last two years or so that has two cracks at the bottom. It's a glass tank made by glass cages and it has two hairline cracks in the bottom glass located about in the center of the tank. Does anyone know how to fix this or is it fixable at all? Any help would be appreciated!

[steve the plumb]

You will have to cut the entire piece out and replace it.Re silicone the joints and make sure you don't leave bubbles in the joints.DON'T USE KITCHEN AND BATH type.Learned my lesson there.Use clear window and door or aquarium silicone.

[reef / aholic]

You can use Black Dow Corning 999-A silicone or look into GE RTV108 or SCS1200 or better yet Dow Corning V2 sealant. I use Digesil Gel Silicone Stripper for vertical application to remove old silicone.

On the bottom, where the pressure is greatest, you need to lay down a large 1” seam on the bottom pane with a seam extending ½” up the inside of the vertical glass panes.

"DO NOT" wipe off any of the excess silicone that might squeeze to the outside edges of the glass. This can be cleaned up or trimmed later on, once the silicone has fully cured.

[swimboy123]

I was wondering, what if I just laid another piece of glass on top of the bottom. If i had one cut to exact specifications, and inlaid it over the cracked pieces and slathered sealant around the entire space between the existing bottom and the newly placed piece.

[Krazy]

Originally posted by swimboy123
I was wondering, what if I just laid another piece of glass on top of the bottom. If i had one cut to exact specifications, and inlaid it over the cracked pieces and slathered sealant around the entire space between the existing bottom and the newly placed piece.

Good question.

I'd like to know if u could fix it this way myself

[rottbo]

I fixed the back of a 180 by placing a piece of glass over the area has held for around 2 years now

[megaspoot]

It should work as long as you silicone it in the same manner that you would a complete replacement piece.

[swimboy123]

Now that could be one hell of a predicament if it doesn't work out. Anyone else have any ideas that could possibly work besides the inlay or cutting that piece of glass out?

[leoskee]

Dont risk it. Either replace the entire piece or just buy a new tank. Its worth the piece of mind knowing that the tank will not dump 300 gls of water in your home.

[FFrankie]

I agree with Leo. that tank needs to come apart and be re fitted with a new bottom.

[am3gross]

yeah and i dont think the silicone will seal well enough in the corners. silicone does not stick to silicone. i would just fix it right the first time. if you are going to spend the money on the inlay why not just cut the old out and put the new in?

[Elliott]

not worth it
have a professional do it for you or buy a new one
300g of dying debris salt water in your home?
just my 2 cents