Tank repair

emo_1992 · 01-16-2007, 12:55 PM

Thanks all for the warm welcome. I do have the need for some information and advice. I have an All-glass 45 gal. tall tank, I have had this tank for about 13 years. However during our last move the center support on the top cap was brocken the tank dimensions are 12"w X 36"l X 24"h. I have tried to contact all-glass to see about ordering a replacement cap, however the questions that I am posing is
1: should I repair the tank and if so where can I find a replacement top cap.
2: Replace the tank.
3: would it be safe to use without the center support.
The glass is on 1/4" thick (rough estimate) and I believe the only tempered piece is the bottom.

Thanks for your advice and help
Lynn

lcstorc · 01-16-2007, 12:59 PM

Well I am not much of a DIY person, but I would not use the tank at least as a display tank without the support. I might use it for a sump or something less critical, but for the display I would either find out how to replace it or I would just get a new tank.

emo_1992 · 01-16-2007, 01:12 PM

I am of the same thought as well. I would hope that it would have been over engineered, However being a tall I dont want to take the risk of having all of my live stock in an unwanted swimming pool in my living room. The support is still there, it is just brocken about 3/4 of the way across. It might be able to be repaired, however I am unsure what to use so that I would have no worry of contamination in the future.

emo_1992 · 01-16-2007, 02:20 PM

Sorry I should have included pics in the original post to help here they are.
[IMG]

[/IMG]

Snelly40 · 01-16-2007, 02:35 PM

i would get some strong plastic or metal and just epoxy some onto both sides, make sure its sturday and wall-la tank support is good as new

DeepBlue · 01-16-2007, 02:40 PM

Hi Emo!

I couldn't help but notice, but are those lift tubes for an undergravel filter I see in the pics? If so, you may want to remove the filter plate and all as it will become a nitrate factory in the future and can cause major problems for you. Just a word of advice. Good luck to you in the repair.

boozeman · 01-16-2007, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snelly40

i would get some strong plastic or metal and just epoxy some onto both sides, make sure its sturday and wall-la tank support is good as new

good idea...use a strip of acrylic and cut to size

bluespotjawfish · 01-16-2007, 03:20 PM

I'm with Lynn on this one. I personally wouldn't risk it!

lcstorc · 01-16-2007, 03:35 PM

OK I called my husband who is a structural engineer on the space shuttle. He agrees that the brace needs to be repaired or replaced particularly with the tank being that tall.
What material is the original brace made of? He also said to use comtact cement not silicone if you decide to repair. Let me know and I will pick his brain for any further suggestions.

Dentoid · 01-16-2007, 03:44 PM

I say get a bigger tank. You'll be happier in the long run! This hobby will take you like a hit and run. Then you'll wish you had a bigger tank. Cheers!

burning2nd · 01-16-2007, 03:53 PM

epoxy, and popsickle sticks.....

glue em to the bottem so you can see anything...

they also have plastic welders.... you could weld that

boozeman · 01-16-2007, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcstorc

OK I called my husband who is a structural engineer on the space shuttle. .

only on RS can you find a response like that

Warnberg · 01-16-2007, 04:27 PM

For the approx 100.00 it will cost to replace it, I wouldn't risk it... just get another tank... cause the way I look at it, if you try to fix it, then fill it with water and it breaks, would it be worth the 100.00 to not have to clean 45 gallons of water/rocks/gravel/fish/etc... off the carpet and the house?

emo_1992 · 01-16-2007, 05:02 PM

The lift tubes are reminents from a bygone era, I will be going with LS and LR when I set it up. Was going to replace the tank with bigger, however we will be building our new house this year so the money to set up a larger new tank is not realy in the budget at the moment. The original brace is part of the plastic mold, I had thought about taking it to a shop down the street to see if there was away to repair and reinforce the crossmember. The only purpose for the brace is for lateral support of the front glass to keep it from bowing. I am looking forward to any other suggestions.

Lynn

emo_1992 · 01-16-2007, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcstorc

OK I called my husband who is a structural engineer on the space shuttle. He agrees that the brace needs to be repaired or replaced particularly with the tank being that tall.
What material is the original brace made of? He also said to use comtact cement not silicone if you decide to repair. Let me know and I will pick his brain for any further suggestions.

Lynn it is good to meet you. We lived in Winter Springs, FL for a number of years, infact that was the last place the tank was set up. We still have many friends and family in the area there. I do miss the abundance of LFS that delt with marine animals, the closest I have here is over 200 miles away.
Lynn

01-16-2007, 12:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
emo_1992 Bryozoan Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Idaho Falls, ID Posts: 47 View Gallery Karma Komment	Tank repair Thanks all for the warm welcome. I do have the need for some information and advice. I have an All-glass 45 gal. tall tank, I have had this tank for about 13 years. However during our last move the center support on the top cap was brocken the tank dimensions are 12"w X 36"l X 24"h. I have tried to contact all-glass to see about ordering a replacement cap, however the questions that I am posing is 1: should I repair the tank and if so where can I find a replacement top cap. 2: Replace the tank. 3: would it be safe to use without the center support. The glass is on 1/4" thick (rough estimate) and I believe the only tempered piece is the bottom. Thanks for your advice and help Lynn

01-16-2007, 12:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 16,454 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Tank repair Well I am not much of a DIY person, but I would not use the tank at least as a display tank without the support. I might use it for a sump or something less critical, but for the display I would either find out how to replace it or I would just get a new tank. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g Jawfish enjoyment ASM answer girl. Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

01-16-2007, 01:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
emo_1992 Bryozoan Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Idaho Falls, ID Posts: 47 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Tank repair I am of the same thought as well. I would hope that it would have been over engineered, However being a tall I dont want to take the risk of having all of my live stock in an unwanted swimming pool in my living room. The support is still there, it is just brocken about 3/4 of the way across. It might be able to be repaired, however I am unsure what to use so that I would have no worry of contamination in the future.

01-16-2007, 02:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
emo_1992 Bryozoan Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Idaho Falls, ID Posts: 47 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Tank repair Sorry I should have included pics in the original post to help here they are. [IMG][/IMG]

01-16-2007, 02:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
Snelly40 Golden Moray Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 2,280 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Tank repair i would get some strong plastic or metal and just epoxy some onto both sides, make sure its sturday and wall-la tank support is good as new __________________ Snelly's 90gal Reef-O-Rama *Member-"Crabs Are Evil" Society* In Hoc Signo Vinces

01-16-2007, 02:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
DeepBlue Serpent Star Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 224 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Tank repair Hi Emo! I couldn't help but notice, but are those lift tubes for an undergravel filter I see in the pics? If so, you may want to remove the filter plate and all as it will become a nitrate factory in the future and can cause major problems for you. Just a word of advice. Good luck to you in the repair. __________________ Kris ___________________________ 38 Gal. Corner Bowfront 64# Live Rock 60# DSB ProClear 75 Wet/Dry converted to sump w/Catalina 2200 pump 10 Gal. Fuge ASM G3 Skimmer Sun Pod 150 HQI w/ moonlights and 64 watt PC Actinics 2 - Hydor Korallia Circulation Heads (1 - #2 and 1 - #3) Yellow Tang, Blue Damsel, 2 Ocellaris Clowns, 2 Green Chromis, Citron Goby, White Sebae Anemone, Crocea Clam, Frilly Mushrooms, Green Ricordia, Acropora, Montipora, Zooanthids, Serpant Star, Cleaner Shrimp and Snails

01-16-2007, 03:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
bluespotjawfish Manta Ray Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 3,838 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Tank repair I'm with Lynn on this one. I personally wouldn't risk it! __________________ Lorraine To BB and all Bluespots - Journey of the 2nd Year ...The 2nd Year - Photoshow Check out Mr. BJ and friends... Mr. BJ's Aquarium - PhotoShow

01-16-2007, 03:35 PM	#9 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 16,454 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Tank repair OK I called my husband who is a structural engineer on the space shuttle. He agrees that the brace needs to be repaired or replaced particularly with the tank being that tall. What material is the original brace made of? He also said to use comtact cement not silicone if you decide to repair. Let me know and I will pick his brain for any further suggestions. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g Jawfish enjoyment ASM answer girl. Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

01-16-2007, 03:44 PM	#10 (permalink)
Dentoid Over Achiever Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 9,587 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Tank repair I say get a bigger tank. You'll be happier in the long run! This hobby will take you like a hit and run. Then you'll wish you had a bigger tank. Cheers! __________________ Scott Dentoid's Reeforama

01-16-2007, 03:53 PM	#11 (permalink)
burning2nd Acropora Join Date: May 2006 Location: Pocono PA Posts: 1,802 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Tank repair epoxy, and popsickle sticks..... glue em to the bottem so you can see anything... they also have plastic welders.... you could weld that __________________ ________________________________________________ 30g, 10g DIY sump w/ mag7 Csr90 over flow. 36" sunpod 2x150 2 Tunze 6020 40 Lb's Live Rock 20 lb's of Ls Aqua C REmora mIxed reef, softies, pora's, clams, 1 Amphiprion ocellaris (hosting GTA) 2 cromies and one dragon jake the jedi sexy shrimp, and brown bob

01-16-2007, 04:27 PM	#13 (permalink)
Warnberg Acropora Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 1,908 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Tank repair For the approx 100.00 it will cost to replace it, I wouldn't risk it... just get another tank... cause the way I look at it, if you try to fix it, then fill it with water and it breaks, would it be worth the 100.00 to not have to clean 45 gallons of water/rocks/gravel/fish/etc... off the carpet and the house? __________________ Dave 240 Gallon Tall Tencor (96"L x 30"T x 18"W) 4 250 Watt MH XM10K bulbs 2-54 Watt T5 Actinic Euro-Reef CS8-2-RC Jetstream 1 Calcium Reactor 4 Tunze Turbelle stream 6000 power heads 7095 Tunze controller

01-16-2007, 05:02 PM	#14 (permalink)
emo_1992 Bryozoan Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Idaho Falls, ID Posts: 47 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Tank repair The lift tubes are reminents from a bygone era, I will be going with LS and LR when I set it up. Was going to replace the tank with bigger, however we will be building our new house this year so the money to set up a larger new tank is not realy in the budget at the moment. The original brace is part of the plastic mold, I had thought about taking it to a shop down the street to see if there was away to repair and reinforce the crossmember. The only purpose for the brace is for lateral support of the front glass to keep it from bowing. I am looking forward to any other suggestions. Lynn

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