Advise on glass repair please!

[Jofiel]

Hey guys. Today at lunch I picked up a freebie 30 gallon rimless tank that I thought would make a good refugium.

It turns out that it has a small crack on a bottom corner. Crack is about 1/2-3/4 inch long and I don't think it goes all the way through the glass. Owner stated that it never leaked but he siliconed over it, inside and out, because he is paranoid. He was using it as a frag tank until he moved. It had been sitting out on his porch and needs a good cleaning.

I'm more paranoid and would like to patch/reinforce it. Any recommendations on how I should do that? I was thinking maybe adding a strip of glass across the bottom on the inside. I'm not to concerned with what it looks like. Any advice?

 

[dbl]

I'm afraid I would fall in to the paranoid category on this one and avoid using it. Free or not, it's just not worth it in my opinion. Not saying it can't be repaired or reinforced, just saying I wouldn't be comfortable doing so. Just my $.02, which I realize is worth what you paid for the tank!!!

 

[Brew12]

I'm afraid I would fall in to the paranoid category on this one and avoid using it. Free or not, it's just not worth it in my opinion. Not saying it can't be repaired or reinforced, just saying I wouldn't be comfortable doing so. Just my $.02, which I realize is worth what you paid for the tank!!!

+1

Cracks in glass can propagate when exposed to vibrations. I would be worried that the vibrations from a return pump could cause the crack to get worse over time.

 

[Fin]

If I am looking at it correctly, it looks like there are actually two cracked panes of glass. Silicone really doesn't help keep the crack from getting bigger - and you never really know when that might happen. Personally, I would put that out on the street for pickup, or cut it apart and use the glass for a DIY project.

 

[Jofiel]

Only one piece has a crack. I think you are seeing a smear of silicone.

I could cut out the silicone, trim the panel so that the crack is cut complete off and put it back. The top edge would be an inch shorter or I could cut out the silicone and replace the cracked panel with a new piece of glass. Either of these options would eliminate the crack completely.

The glass is quite nice and all the edges are nicely ground. The rest of the silicone work is really well done too. Despite being dirty.