Cracked glass

[shaggy94]

Hey everyone been working on gathering parts and building a dream tank of mine almost done and have been putting of drilling the tank for my modular marine overflow out of fear......well it came true. Drill bound up on me and cracked the tank. I continued drilling until through and terrified to drill the second hole...Looking for opinions on weather its safe or not or fixes... the crack starts in the drilled hole and progresses up towards the top but is not all the way to the edge. Thoughts??

180g fyi

 

[JumboShrimp]

I am so, so, sorry! But I can't see how that will not leak (seep) water.

 

[shaggy94]

I am so, so, sorry! But I can't see how that will not leak (seep) water.

Im thinking if i add glass epoxy resin in the crack then add a 1/4" glass front and back heavily siliconed plus the bulkhead seals. It may be okay.

 

[Idech]

How big is this tank ?

 

[shaggy94]

How big is this tank ?

180 gallon realized i didnt add it to the post sorry

 

[IceNein]

It will progress to the edge without any doubt. Since it terminates at a circular hole it will obviously not propagate in the other direction. This is at the top of your tank, I can't tell you with authority that if you put a bulkhead through it that it will be fine, but once the crack hits the edge (which again, is inevitable) I don't know if that would be a problem at the top. My gut says maybe it might be ok.

But here's the thing. Your tank hasn't even had water in it, so it will never be an easier time to just get another tank and try again. If you choose to go that route, give yourself a bunch of practice drilling holes on this tank.

 

[Idech]

180 gallon realized i didnt add it to the post sorry

That’s a lot of water to risk spilling on your floor…

 

[JumboShrimp]

Personally, I'm a BIG chicken. I wouldn't try to drill my own tank for a million-billion dollars... but I envy all the people who would. {Wink}

 

[shaggy94]

It will progress to the edge without any doubt. Since it terminates at a circular hole it will obviously not propagate in the other direction. This is at the top of your tank, I can't tell you with authority that if you put a bulkhead through it that it will be fine, but once the crack hits the edge (which again, is inevitable) I don't know if that would be a problem at the top. My gut says maybe it might be ok.

But here's the thing. Your tank hasn't even had water in it, so it will never be an easier time to just get another tank and try again. If you choose to go that route, give yourself a bunch of practice drilling holes on this tank.

Im trying to salvage this one since i found it at such a steal of a deal but of epoxy extra glass and silicone wont do it. I guess ill just have to sulk until i find another reasonable deal......

 

[Marco_99]

Is this on the bottom? I don’t know if you’re drilling for an INT or an EXT.

 

[shaggy94]

Personally, I'm a BIG chicken. I wouldn't try to drill my own tank for a million-billion dollars... but I envy all the people who would. {Wink}

I was in the same boat but im plenty handy and i read and saw so many videos with people saying its sooo easy and they regret not starting earlier and doing it on their own. Its my own fault i didnt use my drill with the adjustable clutch..

 

[shaggy94]

That’s a lot of water to risk spilling on your floor…

Its only the top 2 inches or so... not too bad but still NOT GOOD

 

[shaggy94]

Is this on the bottom? I don’t know if you’re drilling for an INT or an EXT.

External its on the back a few inches below the top edge of the glass

 

[fish_collector]

Get another piece of glass, measure and mark the hole to be drilled with the edge of the back up glass flush with the top of the tank, pre-drill the hole in it and silicone it to the inside with the holes lined up. try to get all of the air squeezed out without putting too much force on the tank, the crack can only go to the edge. Use high quality clear silicone meant for an aquarium. I wouldn't be scared to use it.

Your other option, and I don't know what the back of the tank looks like, is to install a eurobrace inside the rear pane to strengthen it. I feel my first suggestion is the easiest though.

I've drilled a few holes in my tanks and none of them are perfect. It always seems like I get some breakout on the exit side. I don't worry about it, some silicone on the gasket seals it just fine, besides life isn't a permanent thing, all of these things we do are temporary at best.

 

[UncommonSense]

Get another piece of glass, measure and mark the hole to be drilled with the edge of the back up glass flush with the top of the tank, pre-drill the hole in it and silicone it to the inside with the holes lined up. try to get all of the air squeezed out without putting too much force on the tank, the crack can only go to the edge. Use high quality clear silicone meant for an aquarium. I wouldn't be scared to use it.

This!! ^^

Ideally use a glass reinforcing plate at least as thick as the tank wall, use a longer bodied bulkhead fitting if necessary for the double thickness hole!

I recommend reaching out to a few local glass cutters to see about getting a piece of glass either pre-cut/drilled, or just pre-cut in annealed glass for you to drill!

 

[shaggy94]

This!! ^^

Ideally use a glass reinforcing plate at least as thick as the tank wall, use a longer bodied bulkhead fitting if necessary for the double thickness hole!

I recommend reaching out to a few local glass cutters to see about getting a piece of glass either pre-cut/drilled, or just pre-cut in annealed glass for you to drill!

So can i use a 1/4 maybe 3/8 inch glass on inside and out. Because i dont know where i caan readily get 1/2 inch glass especially in a smaller pane that i would need.

 

[Hishman]

I've drilled a few holes in my tanks and none of them are perfect. It always seems like I get some breakout on the exit side. I don't worry about it, some silicone on the gasket seals it just fine, besides life isn't a permanent thing, all of these things we do are temporary at best.

If you create a jig it’s best to start the hole on both sides and have them meet somewhere in the middle to avoid scalloping the edges.

 

[shaggy94]

If you create a jig it’s best to start the hole on both sides and have them meet somewhere in the middle to avoid scalloping the edges.

Ive got a jig and i i could easily drill from both sides thats not my concern as much as the actual crack

 

[UncommonSense]

So can i use a 1/4 maybe 5/8 inch glass on inside and out. Because i dont know where i caan readily get 1/2 inch glass especially in a smaller pane that i would need.

You can order thicker glass from most glass related businesses that do more than just installation work; they usually have a minimum order quantity of square feet, which will vary… some will also try to charge you exorbitant amounts for the relatively small pieces, just because it’s not super worth their time…

Otherwise, you could likely get away with 3/8”-1/2” (technically, it’s usually in MM) thickness if you’re laminating both sides of both tank bulkhead holes!

Edit: you can also pay a bit extra at most glasscutter to get the glass pieces finished with beveled edges on one (or both) face(s) of each… Or, just do the edge finishing yourself if you’re feeling up to more glass DIY!