Can I reseal a cracked tank?

[SpikesReef]

I have an old 10 gallon kicking around the house. I was wondering if I siliconed the hell out of it, if I could use it as a copepod culture? I am a glazier
So I have access to tons of different sealants. I would just use ge silicone 1, but if I need to I have access to Dow Corning 795. Any insight is appreciated. Also have no problem smashing it in the garbage lol

 

[SpikesReef]

Btw the crack is on the rear pane in the bottom corner about 3 inches

 

[acolotto]

Id say it depended on how bad the cracks are? If its just resealing the corners you'll probably be fine but if it were me id just go buy another 10 gallon, usually can find one on craigslist for cheap and even new ones are not really expensive. I just know if resealed it id be at work freaking out thinking I am going to come home to a puddle

 

[acolotto]

If its on the bottom, i wouldnt do it because most 10 gallon tanks ive seen the bottom pane doesn't actually sit on the flat surface because of the black plastic around it, so might add a lot of pressure on the crack, especially once water is added. But you can always just give it a shot and fill up with water and let sit in the garage or outside for a couple days to "test the seal" on the crack, just make sure you feel it up to the same height you plan on keeping it at

 

[SpikesReef]

Thanks. I'm probably just going to wait until the dollar a gallon sale comes along or do a glass jar culture.

 

[acolotto]

yes that sale is awesome its the best!

 

[reburn]

I wouldn't try and fix it.
$5 for a tube of silicone and a wet floor
$10 for a new ten gallon at the dollar a gallon sale.

If you have any doubts just pour 10 gallons on the floor and see how much water it actually is.

 

[Omegareefer0]

I wouldn't try and fix it.
$5 for a tube of silicone and a wet floor
$10 for a new ten gallon at the dollar a gallon sale.

If you have any doubts just pour 10 gallons on the floor and see how much water it actually is.

Haha wasn't expecting that reply.

 

[reburn]

Haha wasn't expecting that reply.

Lol well I'm jaded. I've had a small tank leak on me. 10 gallons is much much more spread out on your floor then it looks like in the tank. I personally will never run a resealed tank. If it's leaked at all it's a snake cage as far as I'm concerned. But again. I've done the leaking tank thing and would like to not do it again.

 

[Prozium]

you can get a 10g tank at Walmart for about $10-$15 most of the time (around here anyway) . One of my LFS's seems to have them for about that as well. (might be worth looking in to.)

So, not worth the risk IMO.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I resealed a 30g hex tank on which had a crack in the back panel. I honestly probably wouldn't do it again just because of the risk level (I was still pretty new to aquariums when I did that), but...for what it's worth, it's still holding. LOL

 

[scardall]

A tank that size costs < $12 . You could use a 1/16th thick piece of plastic and silicon (100% silcon) it over the cracked area. I did this on a tank that was modified as Wet dry. It works well. Note: there is never anymore than 8" of water at most in it.

My Advise: buy a new one or save you money and get a rubbermaid container for you copapod project. Oh check out Craigslist.

 

[Omegareefer0]

So the consensus is smash it in the garage and take a video. Then buy a new 10g.

 

[SpikesReef]

Bought a new tank. Unfortunately I didn't take a video of my throwing the cracked one out of the second story window in a tied up contractors bag! Thanks for the input