Does chip in corner of tank affect integrity?

[TysTanks]

Hey everyone,

I’m interested in this LeeMar rimless 82 gallon tank someone has for sale locally. My only hesitation is a small chip in the back left corner of the glass behind the overflow.

It’s about 1” in length but it doesn’t extend all the way into the silicone.

What are your thoughts on this? Is it something to worry about? If I buy it is there anything I can do to help the integrity of that edge.

The seller has taken the chip into account on the price, but the tank isn’t worth it if the contents end up on my floor.

Appreciate any advice or feedback.

Edit: tank is currently up and running and has been running with the chip for about a year.

 

[Sarah24!]

Hello,

Honestly, I hope you don’t think I’m just quick to judge etc,
But if this was me, there is no way I would ever trust it. The current owner could do a leak test for you, but over time stress and water pressure will always make glass crack more and more. Look at your basic windshield on a car. It can be a tiny Little Rock chip and it can spread so fast. The only difference is this cracks with air pressure, can you imagine how much water pressure there is?

The price maybe amazing etc, if you do buy it, I’d have a professional glass specialist come out and look at it. The other issue is it’s only a matter of time before it could completely break. I purchased my tank to relax me and have a beautiful piece of ocean in my home. I didn’t buy it to think hmm will this break when I’m not home and destroy my house.

As much as I want you to have a wonderful reef tank, I’m sorry I would save your money and run away. It’s just to risky, plus the amount of money you could lose is 20 times more than what this tank will cost you now. If I still had my old 125 tank and stand, I’d just let you have it. (You would have to ship it), but at least I know there are not chips or cracks and it’s safe. We all take a risk in this hobby with aquariums. We never know when or if they will ever fail, even new ones fail. I just can’t fathom knowing any tank could possibly fail, and add to it with a huge chip in the glass. I hope everything works out to your favor.

Sincerely
Sarah

 

[Fin]

Kind of a nasty looking chip. Nothing you can do to prevent it from fracturing further. I would be concerned with the couple of chips closest to the silicone. It might hold fine forever, but unfortunately there isn't any way to be sure. If it were me, I would pass on it. If it gives way, not only could you lose everything inside of the tank, but 80 gallons of salt water spilled in your home won't be pleasant either - or cheap to repair. Not worth the risk, in my opinion. My 2¢ anyway...

 

[TysTanks]

Hello,

Honestly, I hope you don’t think I’m just quick to judge etc,
But if this was me, there is no way I would ever trust it. The current owner could do a leak test for you, but over time stress and water pressure will always make glass crack more and more. Look at your basic windshield on a car. It can be a tiny Little Rock chip and it can spread so fast. The only difference is this cracks with air pressure, can you imagine how much water pressure there is?

The price maybe amazing etc, if you do buy it, I’d have a professional glass specialist come out and look at it. The other issue is it’s only a matter of time before it could completely break. I purchased my tank to relax me and have a beautiful piece of ocean in my home. I didn’t buy it to think hmm will this break when I’m not home and destroy my house.

As much as I want you to have a wonderful reef tank, I’m sorry I would save your money and run away. It’s just to risky, plus the amount of money you could lose is 20 times more than what this tank will cost you now. If I still had my old 125 tank and stand, I’d just let you have it. (You would have to ship it), but at least I know there are not chips or cracks and it’s safe. We all take a risk in this hobby with aquariums. We never know when or if they will ever fail, even new ones fail. I just can’t fathom knowing any tank could possibly fail, and add to it with a huge chip in the glass. I hope everything works out to your favor.

Sincerely
Sarah

Sarah,
Thank you. That’s sort of my gut feeling as well. The only thing that made me think twice is the tank has been running (and is still) with this chip for about a year.

I think it’s too much of a risk that moving it will negatively affect the chip.
I’ve decided to pass on the tank and just keep a lookout for another opportunity.

 

[TysTanks]

Kind of a nasty looking chip. Nothing you can do to prevent it from fracturing further. I would be concerned with the couple of chips closest to the silicone. It might hold fine forever, but unfortunately there isn't any way to be sure. If it were me, I would pass on it. If it gives way, not only could you lose everything inside of the tank, but 80 gallons of salt water spilled in your home won't be pleasant either - or cheap to repair. Not worth the risk, in my opinion. My 2¢ anyway...

Great point. Since the chip increases the chance of failure I really don’t want to risk everything in this tank.