Looking for a tank that doesn't exist?

[MichelereefsBF]

I have attached pictures of a tank and stand I recently picked up for free. The stand is reinforced with metal so I love it. The only thing is that the tank has a huge crack on the bottom. I have been looking for a replacement tank but literally have not found any online after weeks of searching. It is a 58 gallon and is 28"L x 20" D and 24" H...if anyone can point me in the direction of finding one...or even one that is 28" long, I would be forever grateful. Or, if y'all know of a cheap way of fixing the crack, I would love any and all input.

 

[El_Guapo13]

Man that sucks. And it looks pretty too. Anyone on #reefsquad have any tips to fix this man's tank? Or know whete he can get a similar size one to replace it with?

 

[MichelereefsBF]

Man that sucks. And it looks pretty too. Anyone on #reefsquad have any tips to fix this man's tank? Or know whete he can get a similar size one to replace it with?

Thanks brother...I have been picking up tanks with or without fish for free or nearly free and fixing them up and rehoming many fish! But I really love this tank!

 

[MrWheelock]

I would watch youtube on how to replace a pane, try removing the frame. If you get it without cracking it check out places that cut custom glass like Glass cages

 

[don_chuwish]

Only way to fix that is to take apart all the panels, get a replacement pane made, and reassemble with RTV silicone. Have to get the re-used glass perfectly clean of all old silicone.

 

[Idoc]

Maybe contact Glasscages.com

They work with glass tanks...or maybe at least be able to make you a new tank with those dimensions.

 

[MichelereefsBF]

Only way to fix that is to take apart all the panels, get a replacement pane made, and reassemble with RTV silicone. Have to get the re-used glass perfectly clean of all old silicone.

So that's option two LOL. anyone know where I can find a tank like this or at least one that is 27-29" long so I can still use the stand...none of the big time names have anything similar in length as far as I have seen

 

[Quietman]

Absolutely I think it would be worth the effort to repair. From what I can see it's fairly straightforward, easy to do right and pretty worry free. Few good videos on bottom pane repair. Not even sure you need to go online - might be local glazier that can get you a pane cheap and cut/polished. Just need right thickness for strength and there's loads of build calculators out there. and low iron doesn't matter on the bottom.

 

[Quietman]

And so you spend a few bucks in pane and silicone and it fails the leak test or you're not happy with look..you're only out a few bucks. Still think it'd be worth the effort to me because it might work just fine.

 

[Earl Karl]

For the bottom panel, watch this vid.


Just cover with sand after repair and you're good.

 

[Hemmdog]

For the bottom panel, watch this vid.


Just cover with sand after repair and you're good.

I would be weary of doing that on anything over a pico/nano. This 58 gal has 498.8 pounds of water pressing down on that patch job before you even add rocks, sand, everything else.

 

[Earl Karl]

I would be weary of doing that on anything over a pico/nano. This 58 gal has 498.8 pounds of water pressing down on that patch job before you even add rocks, sand, everything else.

I've done this on my 240 gallon I got for free long time ago, had a crack that was almost two feet long. Silicone and glass is MUCH stronger than you think, capable of sealing the crack and withstand the pressure. Just make sure the repair glass hits two points of the edge to be extra safe. Use thick glass as well, same thickness as the aquarium to be extra, extra safe.

Plus once you add sand, you don't even notice it.

 

[Retro Reefer]

I would see if you can find a local glass shop to repair it or at least cut a replacement bottom for you, lots of YouTube videos on tank repair if you want to attempt it yourself.

 

[MichelereefsBF]

I would see if you can find a local glass shop to repair it or at least cut a replacement bottom for you, lots of YouTube videos on tank repair if you want to attempt it yourself.

Talked to my good friend who owns a local coral and fish store and he said it will probably cost just as much to get it replaced then as to buying a new one lol

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

I would triple check that sump to make sure it is plumb and square.

 

[ca1ore]

You can absolutely patch it as long as the existing crack is flat - if one side of the crack is proud of the other then there is a more fundamental problem with the tank. Were it mine, and I was dead set on using it, I’d remove the internal silicone ‘seal’, including the vertical seams, and put a new full width/length panel on top of the cracked one and silicone it in.