Replacing an aquarium panel

[Sharkbait19]

Well, it’s been one of those days…

Just finished upgrading one of my reef tanks, leaving an empty Fluval Evo with the promise of something new in the future! Today I decided to thoroughly clean out the glass, filter chambers and equipment, and after hours of fixing & detailing, it was finally time to put it in storage, good as new. The tank was not even an inch from from the ground when it slipped from my fingers…
A few choice words later, I decided to inspect the crack, and noticed that the plastic base seemed to hit the floor at just the right spot, causing the glass to break at one of the contact points.
Now in most scenarios, the tank would just get thrown away. But this was my very first tank, after all, and I’m nothing if not sentimental. So I started looking into replacing the glass, and was wondering if anyone here has undertaken such a project.
Although I have done some small repairs to aquariums before, never have I done something like this.
Is it worth doing, or would I be giving myself a big headache? A lot of videos and how-to lists make it seem like a basic task, but I’ve learned to not always trust these tutorials, and definitely prefer more experience advice.
If I do decide to try and fix this, would basic 5 mm float glass work, or would this require something a bit stronger? Is it even feasible for me to attempt repairing the tank, or is this a job that should be left to professionals?
Thanks!

 

[fishywishy]

If the tank is like a 30 gal or something It’s definitely better to just buy a new tank. although, removing a panel is pretty easy, especially if the tank doesn’t have any trim. All you need to do is remove the inside silicone bead using a razor blade and a paint scraper. Once the inside bead is removed, go over the silicone that holds the panels together with a razor a few times. After that, the panel should come off pretty easily. After that just reattach the new panel with some silicone and put a new inside bead in. I would look at a few videos on how to do the silicone because you can’t mess that part up.

The only part thats a pain is removing all the inside silicon bead because the new silicone wont stick to the old silicone bead.

 

[dedragon]

i havent used a fluval evo but idk if you will be able to seal this without removing the aio section as well. might be better to just replace it

 

[leo12345]

 

[PharmrJohn]

You'd've been able to hear me two towns away if I'd have done that! I'd have made up new and creative curse words for the occasion!

 

[Fish Fan]

Now in most scenarios, the tank would just get thrown away. But this was my very first tank, after all, and I’m nothing if not sentimental.

So sorry this happened to you, but I just want to say that you're preaching to the choir here. I've had tanks all my life, going back to like 7 years old (with my brother's help). I had a 40 gallon tall that I bought at about 15 years old to be a marine tank (I can't call it a "reef" tank), somewhere around 1988 or so. I saved up from every odd job a 15 year old could have to get that tank. Over the years, it has been saltwater, freshwater, a reptile tank and a fish tank again. The plastic center brace has been melted from a reptile heat lamp, but it still held water. I put together a stand for it made from basic 2x4's and 1x4's that I made entirely with a drill gun and a jig saw and a paint brush.

I loved that tank!!!

Sadly, I did part with it just this year. I just told myself that it's an older tank, and I like the "cool new" rimless tanks, and my wife was really on me to get rid of some tanks (I'm a tank hoarder lol!)..... But that was a hard thing to let go, for me. So I get where you're coming from.

As far as your problem, is this a standard, rimmed tank, or something "fancier"? As a tank hoarder, I've gotten pretty good at resealing them, and if I can help you, I'd be glad to. I've never done a newer, rimless tank, but I have resealed A BUNCH of standard tanks.

As far as your broken panel of glass, it needs to be removed. Go to your local music store, tell them you want a replacement "high E string" for a guitar, and they will hand you a small gauge wire for like two bucks. Wrap each end of the wire string around something like a dowel or short piece of broom stick, then work the wire between the seem of the glass panel. Use a "sawing" motion, and that wire will go right through the silicon seem and free your bad panel.

Get the new panel cut to the right size, and from there I have some tips to help silicon it back in place, if you want to try this, and would like my help.

Good luck to you, I'm sorry again that you're in this position!