Need Tank Repair (1 Viewer)

[cobraden]

Bottom cracked in my 270. Need to talk to someone who may be able to replace the bottom, to see if the best option is just to replace or repair.

Who is he the best at doing that type of thing here in the area?

Back panel would be a pain to re-drill for my plumbing so if I can repair for a reasonable cost I would rather do that. I want to weigh that against buying a whole new tank.

Would buy used but not many 7x2x 31" tanks pop up on line.

 

[Reefahholic]

Where's the bottom cracked?

The bottom is where the most weight is exerted. I'm not sure repairing would be a good idea. If the tank is 30+" think of how nice a 25" tank would be. No wet armpits.

I'd get a Planet....plain not drilled...no overflow...and you'll save a lot of money and have a brandnew tank!

 

[below radar]

What's the deal with them not being drilled now? I've been out of the loop for a while.

 

[Diesel]

What's the deal with them not being drilled now? I've been out of the loop for a while.

Not sure but I think it's just a money saving deal.
All though with Planet if you drill yourself you lose all warranty period.
$25 per hole isn't to me worth that, and planet drills for Ghost too as we speak.

 

[Diesel]

Bottom cracked in my 270. Need to talk to someone who may be able to replace the bottom, to see if the best option is just to replace or repair.

Who is he the best at doing that type of thing here in the area?

Back panel would be a pain to re-drill for my plumbing so if I can repair for a reasonable cost I would rather do that. I want to weigh that against buying a whole new tank.

Would buy used but not many 7x2x 31" tanks pop up on line.

In the old days we just repaired them with a sheet of glass laying on top of the tanks cracked bottom in a bed of silicone but it's still a big risk.

 

[Reefahholic]

Not sure but I think it's just a money saving deal.
All though with Planet if you drill yourself you lose all warranty period.
$25 per hole isn't to me worth that, and planet drills for Ghost too as we speak.

Well shoot, you might as well get that puppy drilled then.

 

[Reefahholic]

What's the deal with them not being drilled now? I've been out of the loop for a while.

Like diesel said, it's a money thing for me. I most of the work myself to save as much as I can.

 

[cobraden]

It's partially a money thing but more of a logic thing for me that I'm trying to work out. My logic is that a major component of an aquarium's price has to be material/glass. If I have 4 perfectly good pieces of glass and need to replace 1 it would seem logically the thing to do. That would be easy if I wanted to do the work my self but I don't so I then have to take into account one of the other components...Labor. So, if it's going to cost me as much to buy a new tank as it does to replace the bottom due to labor then the decision gets much easier.

I have bought and sold lots of used tanks over the years so warranty is not a huge thing for me given I have never bought a used tank that came with one. However if I bought a new one, I wouldn't want to immediately void the warranty so I would have them drill it for my overflow and returns.

Anyway that is why I'm looking for someone who has the time and skill to replace the bottom to discuss what it would take money wise to go that route.

 

[cobraden]

Where's the bottom cracked?

The bottom is where the most weight is exerted. I'm not sure repairing would be a good idea. If the tank is 30+" think of how nice a 25" tank would be. No wet armpits.

I'd get a Planet....plain not drilled...no overflow...and you'll save a lot of money and have a brandnew tank!

Like the look of a tall tank. Lucky for me I have kind of long arms.

 

[Reefahholic]

It's partially a money thing but more of a logic thing for me that I'm trying to work out. My logic is that a major component of an aquarium's price has to be material/glass. If I have 4 perfectly good pieces of glass and need to replace 1 it would seem logically the thing to do. That would be easy if I wanted to do the work my self but I don't so I then have to take into account one of the other components...Labor. So, if it's going to cost me as much to buy a new tank as it does to replace the bottom due to labor then the decision gets much easier.

I have bought and sold lots of used tanks over the years so warranty is not a huge thing for me given I have never bought a used tank that came with one. However if I bought a new one, I wouldn't want to immediately void the warranty so I would have them drill it for my overflow and returns.

Anyway that is why I'm looking for someone who has the time and skill to replace the bottom to discuss what it would take money wise to go that route.

Trust me, replacing the bottom on a 30" tall 270 is no easy task and there's not many around here that can do it or would be willing to do it. The glass alone is gonna be a huge cost. I needs to be 3/4" probably and the labor is rough on something that size.


Is the bottom floating or do the 4 sides sit on top?

 

[cobraden]

A friend of mine says he can get me the glass for about 300-350 cut 3/4x7x2 with a polished edge. All four side panels sit on the bottom.

 

[Reefahholic]

If they sit on it, that makes it easier.

 

[FarmerTy]

Personally, I wouldn't do the repair myself. You have the highest chances of a tank blowout at the bottom seams. Add to that the size of the tank and one amateur reseal job and I bet in the end, not immediately, but 3 years down the line, you'll be the proud owner of a water damaged home and dead coral/fish stock.

 

[Reefahholic]

True that, there's a lot to a big job like this. If not done correctly, you'll get screwed later.

If you absolutely must do it, flip the tank on its face with bottom up. Tank the bottom panel off and clean the area extremely well. No residue at all period. I'm talking squeaky clean. Use acetone and steel wool (grade # 0000). The tank will need to sit on a platform so you can use bar clamps to hold the glass. With this size tank, you'll need at least 4 bar clamps on the length and 2 on the width (both sides). Due to the weight of the glass, you will barely put any pressure on the bar clamps. I mean BARELY. Just enough to hold the glass from any movement. If you tighten too much, you will squeeze all the silicone out of the seam and will have a failure later. This is the number one mistake I've seen people do when trying to build a tank. After it's done, it cannot be reversed. So don't make this mistake. Then you will need 4 glass suction cups and at least two people to set the glass. You will also need to be extremely quick running the bottom bead (run it heavy) because it will start to skin in under 5 minutes. The weight of the glass will almost give the right amount of squeeze out. Tank will need to fully cure for at least 2-3 weeks before being touched at all. You'll need about 10 tubes of RTV 108 clear silicone. If it were me, I would brace the bottom panel with 1/2" thick glass as you run an inside bead. I'd do (4) 5" cross braces (two on each end and two in the middle). Then (2) 4" braces down the length on each side. I'd let those cure at least a week.

 

[cobraden]

Personally, I wouldn't do the repair myself. You have the highest chances of a tank blowout at the bottom seams. Add to that the size of the tank and one amateur reseal job and I bet in the end, not immediately, but 3 years down the line, you'll be the proud owner of a water damaged home and dead coral/fish stock.

I don't want to do the repair myself either. I can, I know how to and I know how much time and work is involved. That's why I'm looking for someone that does it. It's more of a time and effort thing. Cutting apart and cleaning glass is a pain in the butt. Even on a small tank. This job will take someone with the patience of a saint to work and get everything spotless on that much glass. At the moment, I would like to pass on that test of my patience. Putting it together isn't rocket science, especially since I have the pattern and the needed glass thickness are known. There are only 3 components, glass, the right silicone and a lot of muscle. Having the right tools, patience and some experience is the key. I'm just looking for someone with that.

I'd love to find another used one for a decent price and call it good but I rarely see them on the market. New is not out of the question . Just exploring the options.

 

[Reefahholic]

Have you ever put a tank of that size together?

 

[cobraden]

Have you ever put a tank of that size together?

Largest I've ever had to reconstruct was a 200 gal, years ago for a customer when I owned my store. It was a pain 20 years ago when I was younger and I expect it hasn't gotten any more fun.

 

[Reefahholic]

Largest I've ever had to reconstruct was a 200 gal, years ago for a customer when I owned my store. It was a pain 20 years ago when I was younger and I expect it hasn't gotten any more fun.

You expect right. If I were you, I'd just buy a planet aquarium. You'll save on shipping because they're local.