Need help fixing a cracked tank

[xvCODY]

Ive talked about this in 2 other threads slightly but i figured id make a thread just about it. I recently acquired a 75g tank off Craigslist practically free because the end was cracked. What would be the easiest way to go about fixing this problem? Replace the whole piece of glass, fix the cracks, reinforce the glass? Needing some tips. lol

Here's the cracks.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g224/ ... ack003.jpg

Thank you, anyone and everyone, for any future input!

[Black Widow]

That crack is to big to reinforce!

Replace WHOLE GLASS is the only thing to do to ensure its strong enough to remain water tight

[xrayjeeper83]

Ya the only way id feel safe is to replace the whole panel

[xvCODY]

i figured id have to replace the whole thing. Is there an easy way to remove the black brace from the top of the tank?

[Black Widow]

i figured id have to replace the whole thing. Is there an easy way to remove the black brace from the top of the tank?

Nope just a razor blade, and slowly slicing away the silicone

[bertie 83]

You got quite a project there. As stated above chop out silicone with a razor, clean the edges to be resealed of silicone also. Good luck

[xvCODY]

Right on. ill keep you all posted. this wont be fun with one hand. lol

[J-P]

it can be done, BUT a pain in the a$$.

The trim is easy to remove.

tankcrack003b.jpg

It MIGHT be possible to laminate a sheet of acrylic to it both inside and outside. That will certainly HOLD. The downside of that is the acrylic is more heat absorbant than glass and will expand more readily.

You'd have to cut the outside acrylic to the exact size and silicone all the cracks and seams and adhere the outside pane. The inside pane should be cut only to the edged of the corner silicone. Adhere it the same way. Then re-silicone the the corners and bottom in question.

That is the cheap and easy and not guaranteed 100% to work way

P.S.
I laminated the inside of a glass tank with acrylic in a similar fashion. Once the tank was brought up to temp the crack grew BIGGER because the acrylic expanded. I was lucky because the acrylic was thick enough to take the pressure. This will not always be the case.

[xvCODY]

im thinking the hardest part will be to remove the trim, imo. removing/replacing the panel wont be too hard

[J-P]

feel it with your fingers on both the inside and the outside. You can slip the exacto knife under and wedge it along. The top will still be held to the tank but with the sides cut away you can start folding it back and cutting that portion also.

[xvCODY]

Is there anyway i could heat the tank to get through the silicon faster? maybe with a hair dryer?

[Arny]

Is there anyway i could heat the tank to get through the silicon faster? maybe with a hair dryer?

Why don't you use silicone remover. You apply it to the silicone and leave it for a bit and the just scrape it off with a razor blade

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NO-NONSENSE-S ... 35b2c1c900

[xvCODY]

the trim around the top is almost 2 inches tall. Its just difficult to get the blade all the way up in there and to cut the silicone. Im just being impatient i guess, lol

[bertie 83]

Yes, have a break, look at the tank and what you can do when complete. Then take a deep breath and start again

[Black Widow]

Why dont you heat the razor til red hot then melt thru the silicon bit by bit