Chipped my new tank. Can it be repaired?

[arking_mark]

Accidentally dinked the top front of my tank causing a clam shell chip.

I'm looking for information on how to get this repaired. Opinions are welcome, but I'm really looking for real world experience on getting this fixed.

 

[JasonK84]

How many gallons? Thickness of glass? Maker? Is the chip top center (looks like it in photo)? Aquarium looks to be full of water now and holding.

 

[14 foot reef]

i worked in the glass business of making custom showers mirrors and glass tables. There is nothing to do there except empty tank and get specialty belt sanding paper and polishing wheels for glass and sand the edge to a bevel deep into the glass all the way from side to side then come back with multiple levels of paper then a polishing pad. It will take hours and hours to do.

 

[arking_mark]

Its top and center. I doubt any structural issues. I sent pictures to Red Sea for confirmation. I was hoping a local glass company would be able to fix this or at least make it much less of an eyesore. I really don't want to have to purchase a new tank.

 

[14 foot reef]

Its top and center. I doubt any structural issues. I sent pictures to Red Sea for confirmation. I was hoping a local glass company would be able to fix this or at least make it much less of an eyesore. I really don't want to have to purchase a new tank.

a local glass company can fabricate this out, they have all the tools I mentioned. It needs to be a high end custom glass and mirror company

 

[arking_mark]

a local glass company can fabricate this out, they have all the tools I mentioned. It needs to be a high end custom glass and mirror company

That makes me feel a little better...I'm assuming the tank will need to be emptied?

 

[14 foot reef]

That makes me feel a little better...I'm assuming the tank will need to be emptied?

Yes, and cleaned extremely well after repair, glass company will have to use chemicals in the polishing process

 

[Cabinetman]

Where it’s not structural if it was mine to make it less noticeable they do make clear silicone you could try filling the void with it or weld 40. Weld 40 or 16 would be my first try. Use a small piece of glass against the tank to make a form and then fill it with the weld on product and see how it goes.

 

[Eleni18]

clamshell chips are not structural

 

[A sea K]

What about one of the auto glass repair companies? I see them advertise for repairing rock chips in glass vs replacement. Do not know the procedure or chemicals they use but it might be something to look into. Probably cheaper than a high end glass shop too.

 

[arking_mark]

What about one of the auto glass repair companies? I see them advertise for repairing rock chips in glass vs replacement. Do not know the procedure or chemicals they use but it might be something to look into. Probably cheaper than a high end glass shop too.

As this is on the rim of the tank, the auto glass repair kits won't work. They are built to fill in chips.

 

[CMMorgan]

My husband found a product called Bondic. It uses a little UV light to cure and it could be used in a wet area. I have attached a hyperlink to a demo from their Instagram page. The product is available in Amazon. YouTube also has a bunch of videos.

Bondic Chipped Glass

 

[arking_mark]

So I have scurged the internet and found little good information for this type of chip. I have contacted several glass repair companies, a local custom aquarium maintenance company, Red Sea, and SaltwaterAquarium.com for guidance.

I am hoping one of the glass companies will be able to just fill in the chip in a way that would not require taking down the tank. I'm not looking for a perfect fix, just minimize the eyesore.

 

[vetteguy53081]

It is one I would trust and say , im not too concerned other than cosmetically.
There is a possibility that a auto glass shop can pressure fill it as they would with a windshield chip but I would not be too concerned in pursuing it

 

[arking_mark]

I know this is just cosmetic...but I do want it fixed. Again it doesn't have to be perfect, just not in your face. If not really fixable, I'm considering ordering a new tank...or maybe putting a cool emblem over it.

 

[Reefer1978]

Anybody else concerned that this is right smack in the middle, where the Red Sea front panels bow the most??? Red sea uses pretty thin glass IMHO, they optimize the it pretty well to work, but any chips and I wouldn't be able to sleep at night. Front panel is also not supported by the stand, it's hanging. Not sure if that matters or not.

 

[arking_mark]

Anybody else concerned that this is right smack in the middle, where the Red Sea front panels bow the most??? Red sea uses pretty thin glass IMHO, they optimize the it pretty well to work, but any chips and I wouldn't be able to sleep at night. Front panel is also not supported by the stand, it's hanging. Not sure if that matters or not.

I have reached out to Red Sea to make sure there are no structural concerns. If they come back and say its not structurally sound, then home owners insurance comes into play.

 

[SaltISlife]

They do sell resins that bond and cure to glass using uv light. It hardens like glass and can be sanded and buffed to a polish and youll never see the chip again.

I know this because one time on my classic car i knocked the rear view mirror off the glass and it pulled the tab and a giant chunk of glass with it. I panicked but safelight filled it with a thick resin and put a uv light to cure it and sanded it down.

And i dont mean a resin for like a rock chip i took a giant silver dollar chunk out of my windowsheild.

Doesnt hurt to see if this could be an option. Also my 135g tank has a chip just like this on the side of the main front panel. And this tank is 39 years old now. However the very side of the tank, if the corners are level i would imagine this sees alot less stress than the top center of a glass.. which actually bows out and in when filled and emptied.

 

[arking_mark]

They do sell resins that bond and cure to glass using uv light. It hardens like glass and can be sanded and buffed to a polish and youll never see the chip again.

I know this because one time on my classic car i knocked the rear view mirror off the glass and it pulled the tab and a giant chunk of glass with it. I panicked but safelight filled it with a thick resin and put a uv light to cure it and sanded it down.

And i dont mean a resin for like a rock chip i took a giant silver dollar chunk out of my windowsheild.

Doesnt hurt to see if this could be an option. Also my 135g tank has a chip just like this on the side of the main front panel. And this tank is 39 years old now. However the very side of the tank, if the corners are level i would imagine this sees alot less stress than the top center of a glass.. which actually bows out and in when filled and emptied.

I'll give safelight repair a call tomorrow.

 

[Reef.]

I have reached out to Red Sea to make sure there are no structural concerns. If they come back and say its not structurally sound, then home owners insurance comes into play.

I would be very surprised for any company to state any damaged product to be structurally sound, especially from a picture..they could loose more then they could gain from getting involved in this.

You will probably get a answer along the lines of “we recommended replacement to be sure of the tanks structurally integrity.”