Am I screwed ?

DakotaTheHutt

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My tank developed these cracks over 4 months or so. I haven't seen them increase at all, but I'm not sure if I should go ahead and start looking for a new tank.

20201017_145711.jpg 20201017_145726.jpg 20201017_145653.jpg 20201017_145658.jpg
 
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DakotaTheHutt

DakotaTheHutt

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Its an acrylic tank, it measures 48-24-18, so around 80 gallons or so.
 

Billdogg

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I don't think I would trust it. Maybe if it's in a basement fishroom with concrete floor, but if it's in a finished area of the house you will be looking at potentially thousands of dollars in damage if (when?) it fails.
 

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My tank developed these cracks over 4 months or so. I haven't seen them increase at all, but I'm not sure if I should go ahead and start looking for a new tank.

20201017_145711.jpg 20201017_145726.jpg 20201017_145653.jpg 20201017_145658.jpg
Many years ago I worked with acrylic and plexiglass in a shop making display cases for Cross Pens. Use a propane torch and slowly heat up the area of the crack until it just starts to melt, it should fuse itself back together. Do not melt it to the point of being runny. I fused many pieces this way, if you do this, test the tank for leaks. Just noticed your tank is full of water, but I am pretty sure it is repairable.
 

stanlalee

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I thought acrylic cracks were easy enough to repair with liquid bonders (don't know what is called but when I had acrylic sumps and overflows the liquid stuff would instantly bond, seal and eliminate small cracks without fail).
 

Cabinetman

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There’s definitely some crazing going on. Is the tank braced around the top? I can tell it’s an acrylic tank but it’s hard to determine where the cracks are in relation to the area of the tank. Maybe a few more pics to show where the area of the tank is that’s cracking will help determine a path forward
 

vetteguy53081

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Crazing rather than cracking. Heat method sounds good, but my luck, i'd melt it. Weldon may be an extra assurance it will hold. You CAN get a glass tank that size fairly reasonable such as aqueon.
 
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DakotaTheHutt

DakotaTheHutt

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Thanks all for the help, so i would drain it, and use weld on in the cracks? as in, tilt the tank on its side, and let the glue flow into the cracks?
 
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DakotaTheHutt

DakotaTheHutt

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There’s definitely some crazing going on. Is the tank braced around the top? I can tell it’s an acrylic tank but it’s hard to determine where the cracks are in relation to the area of the tank. Maybe a few more pics to show where the area of the tank is that’s cracking will help determine a path forward
Heres some more pics. Let me know if you need anything different.

20201017_190031.jpg 20201017_190023.jpg 20201017_190031.jpg 20201017_190013.jpg 20201017_190006.jpg 20201017_190001.jpg 20201017_185932.jpg 20201017_185925.jpg 20201017_185918.jpg 20201017_185915.jpg 20201017_185911.jpg 20201017_185905.jpg 20201017_185905.jpg 20201017_185902.jpg 20201017_185840.jpg 20201017_185828.jpg 20201017_185825.jpg 20201017_185819.jpg 20201017_185816.jpg 20201017_185810.jpg 20201017_185905.jpg
 
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DakotaTheHutt

DakotaTheHutt

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thankfully, nothing inside except dragons breath algae, as its not finished cycling.
 

A worm with high fashion and practical utility: Have you ever kept feather dusters in your reef aquarium?

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  • I have not had feather dusters, but I hope to in the future.

    Votes: 25 12.5%
  • I have no plans to have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 29 14.5%
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