Red Sea tank cracked, help!

[Chris Van Daele]

Hello,

I purchased a used 525 and while plumbing I noticed this. There is a sizeable crack under the overflow. Since this isn’t a pressure bearing area of the tank I’m wondering if I have options? All help and advice is appreciated!

 

[dealseer]

How is that not pressure bearing?

 

[BigHildy53]

I would not feel comfortable using the tank. With the weight of the water eventually that crack will expand causing a break. Just my opinion.

 

[JasonK84]

That is the bottom glass! All of the weight is on it. No way I’d use it.

 

[Chris Van Daele]

I figured since it’s under the overflow there wouldn’t be much pressure there

Are there any options I can explore? Is it possible to have just the bottom panel replaced?

 

[JasonK84]

It’s a single sheet of glass on the bottom. The overflow box is just siliconed onto the glass. It will give when you try filling it. If you think it might be ok then take it out to the driveway and fill it up to leak test it. I sure wouldn’t trust it.

 

[Chris Van Daele]

I’m not talking about trusting it, I’m asking if the bottom panel can be replaced? Or maybe another option?

 

[Sublimereefer]

Did the seller know?

 

[Chris Van Daele]

It doesn’t seem like he knew, I may have also done it during transport, no way of knowing

 

[Mal11224]

That sucks. Wonder if the seller knew. I don’t think there is a lot of pressure in the overflow, but there is a good amount of water movement and it is only a matter of time before that water is on your floor.

 

[rkpetersen]

I figured since it’s under the overflow there wouldn’t be much pressure there

In an RSR, the water level in the overflow is generally very close to the water level in the tank. That's part of why they're quiet.
So there's almost the same pounds per square inch of pressure on the cracked glass there as in the rest of the tank.
Dangerous situation. Sorry to see it.

 

[Denisk]

Depending on how old it is. You could see if there is any warranty behind it and maybe the seller can help you with reaching out to Red Sea. If not, you can get a replacement through them but spending money trying to fix it is probably not worth it. Good luck!

 

[Aktric1]

ya would deff not use that. id call some glass repair shops

 

[Mike Ashton]

Hi assuming that the crack in the glass has run to the edge of the panel and cannot go any further. First remove the fitting. Clean up the damaged area removing any sealant etc. Get a piece of glass to cover the affected area of similar thickness a a with a good couple of inches overlap to the hole and the crack. Silicone the piece in place allow to dry re drill the hole then fit a longer bodied fitting I have done similar repairs to this before with complete success. It will be fine as long as the crack has finished its run Regards Mike

 

[steallife904]

I would not trust a glass company to repair it, fish tanks are not there specialty. Maybe you could find a aquarium builder near you who could repair it but its a 50/50, they may not for warranty reasons. It really sucks but I think your best bet is a new tank. Maybe red sea will discount one if you contact them?

 

[SeaDweller]

How did you not notice that when putting on the fittings? Or did it occur as you were tightening the nut? Either way, I wouldn’t use the tank. I’ve had o rings I thought were in good shape to be reused under the bulkhead only to find them dripping seconds later. With those cracks, helllllll no I wouldn’t even try. I hope you find a solution. That sucks.

 

[Hemmdog]

I’m really sorry this is happening to you man. I feel so sad for you just reading this thread Keep your head up, I’m rooting for ya!

 

[Dom]

In my experience with Aqueon tanks, with patience, they can be disassembled and glass replaced. But it is a lot of work...

Maybe the quickest fix would be to purchase a piece of 3/8 inch glass to lay over the existing bottom using a generous amount of silicon. Once dried and sealed, you could then drill through the new glass.

Also, you cold use a 6" x 6" patch of 3/8" glass over the hole, sealing it with silicon and drilling the hole again. I've used this method on a 55 gallon Aqueon and it has been in use for over two years without issue.

 

[BeejReef]

(tongue in cheek) patch it the best you can, but explain to wife that you can't fully trust it to support all that water.... and this is why it can only be filled 2/3 of the way and be used as the sump for a 220g!!

seriously, sorry about your bad luck. If this is your first tank, once you test fill it in the driveway and really get a feel for just how heavy and imposing they are when full and how much work they are to move when full... to say nothing of trying to preserve rocks and livestock... you'll have serious second thoughts about trusting it in your house. I can't offer a really informed opinion, but there's so much to stress over between illness, lights, parameters, auto top offs. I'd hate to have that huge knot in my stomach anytime there's a temperature swing, re-scaping, or drilling into the stand. Perhaps use it from the get go as a hospital/quarantine tank in the basement? If it hold fine for two years, you might start to trust it. Sorry

 

[Dom]

I figured since it’s under the overflow there wouldn’t be much pressure there
Are there any options I can explore? Is it possible to have just the bottom panel replaced?

Consider doing this:


It's a patch of 3/8' glass. I "buttered" the glass with silicon and pressed it down over the hole on the inside. We do this so that the pressure of water works as an advantage to maintain a seal as the glass presses down on the silicon. Then place a 5 pound weight over it and let sit for 24 hours.

The next day, apply silicon around the edges for a secondary seal and let dry for 24 hours.

The next day, drill out the glass using the old hole as a template. Install your bulkhead and you're good to go.

That patch in the picture has been in use over two years. Not so much as a drip.