Chip in glass!!!!

[9supratt4]

I have what I hope is a small problem. I just picked up a 180Gallon tank and on the way home it got chipped on one of the corners. Is there anything I can do so that I can still use the tank?? Or will it be ok?? Can I fill it with epoxy??

Here's some pics......it didn't go nearly all the way through. It didn't even come close to the seal.

Please give me good news!!!!!!

 

[DaveK]

Most likely you'll be ok, but you are never going to know for sure until you fill the tank and start using it.

Glass can be funny stuff.

 

[Brian]

I agree, it's one of those things...you never know what's going to happen...it could be fine, but then again...it might not be. If you plan to use it, I would at least fill it up outside and let it sit for a week or so. If it were me, I'm not sure I would use it.

 

[AnDom1]

Hi 9

I agree with Brian and Dave that you MIGHT be OK and that tank should be placed outside, filled and watched for a while...the longer the better.

However, please keep in mind that relative to the cost of a disaster...flood, ruined carpet/floor, hours of cleanup, lost fish/corals, etc., is huge compared with the cost of a used tank. 180 gallons is a LOT of water.

Personally, I wouldn't take the chance since there is nowhere in my home it wouldn't cause major damage.

Good Luck,
Dom

 

[magic]

I agree with Dom. 180g is alot of water to let loose in the house. If it were a unfinished basement then I'd say go for it.

 

[jimroth]

FWIW, I have a couple of chips like that in my old 90G and it was fine. Just fill it and watch closely...

 

[Phyl]

Francis had picked up a 175g tank that had a similar chip in it. The chip went further through the glass, I think even. It held up for him the whole time he had it setup. IF I was going to use the tank I would be inclined to be sure it was quite level before filling it as I believe that any undue pressure could cause a problem.

I don't think that I'd use it, personally. Not saying you can't, just not sure I'd want to have that worry.

 

[9supratt4]

Francis had picked up a 175g tank that had a similar chip in it. The chip went further through the glass, I think even. It held up for him the whole time he had it setup. IF I was going to use the tank I would be inclined to be sure it was quite level before filling it as I believe that any undue pressure could cause a problem.

I don't think that I'd use it, personally. Not saying you can't, just not sure I'd want to have that worry.

Thanks!! After looking at the chip more and more.....it doesn't even go halfway throught the glass at the deepest point. I have alot of people saying that they have the similar things in theor tanks and have had no problems with them. I of course would make sure it was level before filling and a few time while filling.

Right now it's in the garage, so i'm thinking about filling it to test for leaks for about a week. Thant would give it enough time to show more problems....right?

 

[Brian]

Right now it's in the garage, so i'm thinking about filling it to test for leaks for about a week. Thant would give it enough time to show more problems....right?

Well, it's always a risk, it could be fine for a week, maybe not. You have to make the decision and go for it. Here's an example...I had a 240 gallon, it cracked...top to bottom..there were no chips or anything in the tank. So you never know. I would fill it with water and keep it filled as long as you can. Maybe you can call the manufacturer and send them a picture and see what they say...although I would think they would tell you not to use it for insurance reasons...if they told you it was safe and it cracked they could be held liable for it.

All that being said...Good luck! ;D

 

[reefsandrotts]

I would try having the crack filled by a glass shop and you should be ok.

 

[9supratt4]

Filled by a glass shop?? What would they fill it with?? Anyone know of any shops in the Morris County area??

 

[reefsandrotts]

Where in Morris county are you?
Any glass shop that does windshields can probably fill it.
Not sure what they fill it with I would imagine some kind of epoxy just like a chip in a cars winshield.

 

[9supratt4]

I'm in East Hanover.

 

[9supratt4]

I still a little concerned with this chip even though everyone has basically said it should be fine, so I took some more close-up pics.

I don't have $700.00 to put out for a new tank, so i'm REALLY hoping it will be ok!!

 

[Brian]

I dunno...that first and second picture look a little scary to me. It's kind of hard to decipher what is glare and what isn't. Any chance of you taking a shot with the flash off?

 

[9supratt4]

Sure.....I'll try again tomorrow in the daylight....my garage lighting is horrible.

 

[danthemanj]

Filling with epoxy doesn't always work. I had my car windshield filled with epoxy once and the crack filled was barely the size of a dime but it didn't help and by winter the crack had grown to about 4 inches in length. There is really no way to guarantee that the crack won't spread or affect the structure of the tank.

On another note, even tanks that have no dents/craks, etc. can explode for several reasons so it all comes down to what will give you the peace of mind you are looking for. You also have the option of taking the glass out and changing it. It's a lot cheaper than changing the entire tank and I'm sure there are several folks in NJRC that can help you with that. This will give you the peace of mind you are looking for and also give you the opportunity to upgrade the glass to Starfire Glass

 

[Phyl]

And back away far enough for the subject to be in sharp focus. Trying to get to close without a macro lens will not achieve good results. You can always crop a sharp image down. You can't fix blur!