Tank cracked (pix pg 4) w/ happy pg 5

Just got home from a trip this weekend, and I see that I have a problem.

The support/top of my tank looks like a big 8.  The middle of it is fine, but the 4 inch piece of acrylic next to the middle split.  The fracture goes down the front (face) of my tank about an inch.  It's not a straight split in the front, it's kind of more like a curving fan.

How worried should I be?  Anything I can do?  I don't have any way of knowing if it split Friday night, Saturday, or some time before 6:00 tonight.  So I wonder when the tank gets warm tomorrow... if it will expand the acrylic & split more...

Major big request for some HELP here?!?  I'm calm... calm... it's all good... if you guys can tell me how panicked I should be, I'll get right on it.

Edited by Weimers

Don't worry Renee

Carpet and floors can be redone.  Hundreds of gallons of water exploding everywhere really isn't going to be that bad.  And I'm sure you can find people willing to donate corals to your next (even bigger tank).

Adam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

just kidding

     Adam, I knew you'd be the voice of confidence for me. 

I called Mark...  left a message.... Mark?!  Mark?  I take the Seuss stuff back, ok?

Sorry to hear that you've got a crack! That sucks!!!

I'm assuming that the crack is still above the water line? I think acrylic glue on the surface may not melt deep enough to stop it. I would say that you should get professional help on this one.

Don't fix it yourself - you should have it fixed right. It should probably be treated in a similar manner to a windshield crack on the run. It may need a tiny hole drilled all of the way through at the end of the crack, then filled with something that melts the acrylic and forms a permanent bond.

Find an acrylic or glass specialist first thing in the morning. I'm *mostly* sure that it will be fine until the lights start to heat up the acrylic tomorrow.

Good luck Renee!!!

Edited by dianatabor

Thanks Diana - that is what I was thinking.  I think I'd better call my boss & arrange to have someone take my class over for me.  The crack is above the water line.  It is 3/4 of an inch long.  If I look at it using a light in the background, you can see the light bend at the crack line.  It's half inch thick acrylic. 

I'm desperate to take a photo that makes sense.  My camera won't do it!  Blurry, off-centered, etc.  UGH!

so the entire tank is acrylic? and its gone from the top of the tank over the edge and then runs 3/4 of an inch horizontally? Is it in the middle of the tank or a corner or what? Is it by a place where something is either built into the tank(overflow) or where a something is hanging over the top?

Would supergluing the crack help?

ok ok i got it renee quick quick send me all your stuff asap

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

lol kidding but i am really really sorry

Eric - I can't get a photo, sorry!  I'm so glad you saw this post.  

Diana - I think I'll stay home tomorrow just in case, and mark the crack like you said.  Great Idea - thanks!  If I went to work, I'd be worried all day. 

Mark called!  Thanks Mark!  You're awesome! 

Ryan from Aquatic Dreams got my message on his phone, and came right over.  He found another new crack in the back corner.  He said that the tanks in his store have similar cracks, and thinks it will be okay.  But he's worried about the amount of bowing in the front.  He had garbage cans & an emergency plan.  Wasn't that awesome of him?  I thought it was very cool of him to leave his house in the middle of a Sunday night to help me out. 

Skyetone, it cracked through the support, and vertically down the front of the tank.  Ryan thought the seams look good. 

My backup plan - - I think I might stop by Home Depot early in the morning to pick up some extra garbage cans.  If I don't use them, I can take them back.  Right?

 

Edited by Weimers

Renee, let me know if you need an extra tank. I have a couple empty decent size tanks that I can loan to you if you need them....I shudder just thinking about this.(remebering refugium split...)I belive if eric say's it will be ok it probably will....NOW how old it that tank....warranty?

Renee .. if you plan on getting a new tank, i have some weldon and some scrap acrylic that you can patch over top of the crack(s). I know i would sleep more comfortable with a patch over the cracks. you can come get them tonight. Feel free to give me a call.

Or .. if you need me to baby sit anything, I’m more than happy. I  know they are much smaller than yours, but i also have empty 55g and 20g tanks that are sitting in my basement if need them.