Broken tank bottom….

[Bolen2]

Okay so I just got this 125 gallon from a friend today. Literally just got it in the house this morning and in the process of trying to mount a light hanger I dropped my drill and this happened. Is there any way at all I can fix this? I’ve considered pouring some epoxy resin over the whole bottom but I’m not confident that will work. Please help, I’m heart broken.

 

[Jekyl]

Take the tank apart and install new glass

 

[InactiveAcct]

Wow this is a huge bummer. While I’m sure some would dare to repair, I would never trust it, it needs to hold about a half ton of water/ rock. Best bet is probably to get money out of selling to a reptile person.

 

[MoshJosh]

Rimmed tank?

probably a few ways to fix/repair/repurpose the tank. . . But the safest thing (and most time efficient thing) is probably to get a new tank.

You could take the tank apart and buy/install a new bottom panel. Alternatively, depending on the thickness of the glass, you could use/cut the existing glass and make a smaller tank (assuming the other panels aren’t tempered)

But again I think the safest bet is getting a new tank. Can check to see if petco is still doing its 50% off sale.

 

[Gtinnel]

I don’t see the crack in the picture but if the bottom is cracked there is no way I would trust it no matter what kind of fix you did outside of taking it apart and replacing the glass.

Sorry.

 

[MoshJosh]

I don’t see the crack in the picture but if the bottom is cracked there is no way I would trust it no matter what kind of fix you did outside of taking it apart and replacing the glass.

Sorry.

Looks like tempered glass, think the entire bottom is shattered.

 

[vtecintegra]

Get another tank.

 

[Gtinnel]

Looks like tempered glass, think the entire bottom is shattered.

Oh I thought I was looking through the glass to some kind of mat under the glass (which I realize isn’t necessary for a rimmed tank). I didn’t realize it was completely shattered but being the bottom you’re right they’re usually tempered which makes sense.
It doesn’t change the answer of doing a cheap and easy fix is a bad idea IMO.

 

[Jekyl]

Fixing can be done. Couple YouTube videos, some silicone and a custom order from a glass company. Beyond that needs a few weeks to cure. Can be done, just isn't simple. However people have time, some have money. Just depends on what your time is worth.

 

[Bolen2]

I think I’m going to order a new pane of glass and see what I can do. I can’t afford to buy another tank so I’m just going to take my chances at glass replacement. I’ll do some tests outside with it to be sure that it doesn’t burst when I get it all set up before bringing it inside. Thanks for the feedback everyone

 

[Gtinnel]

I think I’m going to order a new pane of glass and see what I can do. I can’t afford to buy another tank so I’m just going to take my chances at glass replacement. I’ll do some tests outside with it to be sure that it doesn’t burst when I get it all set up before bringing it inside. Thanks for the feedback everyone

Make sure to use an aquarium safe silicone when you rebuild the tank. Most silicone that you can buy from big box stores isn’t safe to use.

 

[Tamberav]

Please keep in mind even if it holds outside ... it could still randomly leak/fail if you do not do the job correct. Silicone does not stick to dried silicone.

 

[dedragon]

this will be very hard but can be done, you may have to check on the glass thickness as many times rimmed tanks use thinner glass that can bow without the added plastic rim. Once it bows it can crack or pull apart silicone

 

[Nate Chalk]

You can either take it apart and replace the glass and re silicone it. Or you can purchase a new tank.

 

[FSP]

Imo, ordering glass for the bottom is a bad idea for several reasons. A 125 isn't an experiment most of us can have fail in our homes. Do you have experience with glass silicone aquarium construction? The replacement glass itself will cost more than a used 125 fwiw.

 

[MoshJosh]

It can be done, but will not be easy. As said above, new silicone won’t stick to the old. You will need to carefully disassemble the entire tank and scrape off every last bit of silicone on all the panels. If it is a rimmed Tank you’ll need to be careful to preserve the rim as well. . .

With the cost of the new glass and your labor, I just don’t think it is worth it. Especially considering that if something goes wrong you’ll have 125 gallons on your floor.

I know it’s pricey but honestly I would just wait for a sale or find a good used tank.

 

[Bolen2]

I’ve already ordered the new panel so it should be here in a week so I might as well go ahead and try. I’ll strip the entire thing down and rebuild it. Then after everything cures I’ll fill it up outside with some added weight such as rocks to simulate the full load it will be bearing. I’ll let it sit for a week or so like that before going any further before I decide it’s good enough to bring back inside. I’ll also lay a styrofoam foam pad on the stand that is the exact thickness of the space between the stand and the glass to add just a fractional amount of added support.

 

[FSP]

Good luck but I would skip the foam idea. At best it won't do much, at worst... well hopefully not.

 

[MoshJosh]

I’ve already ordered the new panel so it should be here in a week so I might as well go ahead and try. I’ll strip the entire thing down and rebuild it. Then after everything cures I’ll fill it up outside with some added weight such as rocks to simulate the full load it will be bearing. I’ll let it sit for a week or so like that before going any further before I decide it’s good enough to bring back inside. I’ll also lay a styrofoam foam pad on the stand that is the exact thickness of the space between the stand and the glass to add just a fractional amount of added support.

Make sure to buy the appropriate silicone, get the big tube kind that goes in the gun, buy more tubes than you think you need, have an extra gun and extra person if possible. Plan well ahead and maybe even do a trial run if possible.

The set time for silicone is forgiving, but you will still want to work quickly. Also I would make sure to have rags that wont leave fibers or residue on hand especially for the silicone "spreading" phase. You can use your finger to spread the silicone but a caulk edge tool works too.

painters tape and clamps are a good idea as well.

Also, be careful taking off the rim (assuming it's a rimmed tank), as it can be very easy to accidentally cut or snap the rim. It is "possible" to buy new rims, but depending on a few factors it may be difficult to get one.

Keep in mind I do stand by what I, and others have said, getting a new/used tank is still the better option.

 

[piranhaman00]

Bad idea. Buying a new used tank will be cheaper