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Post by goldenpuon on Sept 22, 2008 18:52:09 GMT -5
Tonight I was scraping the silicone off one of my 5 gallons after the crack spread that I sealed with silicone a few months earlier. I bleached due to saprolegnia in it a few weeks ago and I roughly handled the tank when I did that. I think scraped it with a razor blade too hard though and now the glass around the crack seems weak! I hear a cracking sound everytime I touch the tank near where the crack is and the glass seems to shift the slightest bit. Is it resealable at this point? I wouldn't want to reseal it and then have the glass from being so weak from my rough handling that it breaks. I hope I don't have to get a new tank....  |
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Post by murdock6701 on Sept 22, 2008 19:15:19 GMT -5
applaud all your efforts, but I wouls say it's time to retire that tank unless you replace the panel and watch Carl's video on fixing tanks - watch it a few times! trust me, I want to build a nice one rather than buy one - good luck honey!
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Post by Carl on Sept 22, 2008 19:28:04 GMT -5
applaud all your efforts, but I wouls say it's time to retire that tank unless you replace the panel and watch Carl's video on fixing tanks - watch it a few times! trust me, I want to build a nice one rather than buy one - good luck honey! Thanks for the promo John! I agree with replacing the panel, which is not too hard, but usually not too cost effective for a small tank such as a 5 gallon. When repairing it is hard to scrape too hard with a razor blade in your prep work. As with painting, gettina clean surface to apply new silicone to is as importnt as the silicone application itself! Bleach itself will do no harm to the silicone. Aquarium Repair, Silicone useCarl Carl |
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Post by murdock6701 on Sept 22, 2008 19:49:51 GMT -5
what about hospital type acohol wipes to get rid of the silicone - is it better than acetone? would hate to commend either prduct without proper aftercare! soap doen't cut silicon that I know of - I know this is serious Renee, but I'm actualyy gonna try denture adhesive on a small tank - sound outrageous? won't know til you try - I know how hard it is to get my dentures out sometime....
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Post by goldenpuon on Sept 23, 2008 14:49:19 GMT -5
Well, due to my hands being so shaky and causing a mess of silicone and being bad/inexpereinced at fixing tanks whatsoever, I will have to get a new one. No use spending another 3 hours try to fix a tank that I may not be able to. Thanks so much guys for your responses too!
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Post by 8 in the Corner on Sept 23, 2008 23:01:52 GMT -5
I have fixed tanks up to 20 gallons that were cracked by using a piece of thin plexiglas to cover the cracked area on the inside of the tank. Use a piece that will extend at least a couple inches on either side of the crack.
Run a bead of silicone along the crack and around the edges of the plexiglas. Press the plexiglas against the cracked area hard enough to spread the silicone out to the edge of it. Smooth the silicone at the edge of the plexiglas and make a nice bead all the way around it.
The bead over the crack seals the crack and the plexiglas that extends past the crack strengthens the glass panel of the tank.
On a 5 g tank, you should have no worry about it giving way once the silicone is set. I have a 10 g that has a 9 inch crack in it that I fixed in this way. Just turn the cracked panel to the back of the tank and put a plant in front of it. Voila', still functional.
8
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Post by goldenpuon on Sept 24, 2008 10:13:26 GMT -5
Thanks 8 but how would I get plexiglass? And also, how much would it cost? I know i could get a brand new 5 gallon for only $10. Also, when I got this 5 gallon, it already had a chip in it and that is where the crack started. The crack goes all the way up to the top black frme by the way.
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Post by Carl on Sept 24, 2008 10:28:04 GMT -5
Thanks 8 but how would I get plexiglass? And also, how much would it cost? I know i could get a brand new 5 gallon for only $10. Also, when I got this 5 gallon, it already had a chip in it and that is where the crack started. The crack goes all the way up to the top black frme by the way. Most Hardware stores sell plexiglass, although the cost is often prohibitive for a tank that can be replaced for $10 The method 8/John described works quite well and I have used this for moderate cracks in even larger aquarium. Being in the aquarium business with lots of scrap glass around, I usually had no problem finding a "free" piece of glass to cut down and place over the crack as described. I would only part ways a little as to the use of plexiglass for a glass tank repair since silicone will not bond as permanately to an oil based product, which all plastics are. Otherwise if you can find a piece of scrap glass (or even plexiglass in a pinch), this is an easy repair to make, just consider your time as well and that this is only a $10 tank. Carl |
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Post by goldenpuon on Sept 24, 2008 14:15:09 GMT -5
Thanks Carl. It looks like i'm going to have to replace it, either that or fill it with water I want to age 24 hours which it wouldn't matter as long as i fill it below the crack.
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Post by bikeguy33 on Sept 24, 2008 17:05:51 GMT -5
actually renee....if you are going to use it for aging water i reccomend doing it outside. the plastic is compromised now and the crack could very possibly become a break under water pressure. also for aging water i would also advise using an air stone to stop the water from becoming stegnant.
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Post by goldenpuon on Sept 25, 2008 5:16:56 GMT -5
Ok, I'll have to get rid of that 5 gallon then. As for aging water, gletting it sit 24 hours won't make it stagnant will it? My mom is terrififed of insects and would never want me to bringwater I let age outside.
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Post by bikeguy33 on Sept 25, 2008 20:24:52 GMT -5
probably not....but i never take a chance....lol
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Post by goldenpuon on Sept 26, 2008 14:36:01 GMT -5
What's wrong with letting water sit 24 hours to age it? It's just a day and for aging, I keep the conatiner I'm using for it covered. Why would it become stagnant in just a day of sitting? My bettas live in 1 gallons without any water movement. (though I want to get air valves when i've saved up enough money so they can all have a little air in the future.)
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Post by 8 in the Corner on Sept 26, 2008 21:13:43 GMT -5
What's wrong with letting water sit 24 hours to age it? I keep the conatiner I'm using for it covered. Nothing is wrong with letting it sit. Many of the people in our local fish clubs have large resevoirs that they keep water in until they start doing their water changes. Some even collect rain water (I wouldn't, with all the pollution floating around Cleveland  ). I think that 24 hour thing came about back when the only thing that cities added to the water was chlorine. I know that in 24 hours the chlorine will evaporate out and the water should be safe without adding a de-chlorinating agent. However, many communities are now adding chloramine to their water supplies and it does not evaporate out like chlorine does. I would check with your local water department and see what additives they are putting into the water. That way you can decide whether or not it is worth it to let it sit around and then still have to add an agent (I use De-Chlor drops added as I put the water in the tanks directly from the tap) to remove the chloramine. John |
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Post by goldenpuon on Sept 27, 2008 9:10:43 GMT -5
Thanks 8. I always use dechlorinater on my tanks whether I let the water sit or not. I don't like to take chances.
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). 