Slight crack found on the fish tank Need help!

[Michael Gentile]

i have a 55 gallon reef tank, as well as a 20 gallon sump. i recently found a crack on the front of the tank but at the base and not on the glass. but i also found some salt that was dried up on it. Do you guys think this is a problem, i really don't know what steps to take.

 

[fishguy242]

hi that is a bowfront or corner?

 

[KrisReef]

Is that a new crack? The plastic frame isn’t as critical as the glass, but if that crack just happened I would wonder what is next?

 

[fishguy242]

center bottom of bow best i can make, sorry ,i would worry ,sorry

 

[Auquanut]

It's possible that the base cracked because of expansion of salt creep caused by a leak. Is the salt creep new? Is it possible that water that has run down the tank from maintenance, etc... has just found that crack to settle?
If it's a leak, it's evidently a slow leak, or you would be seeing water instead of salt.

It looks like a lot of salt, so I would guess LEAK! I would put together a plan right away to replace the tank, or at least re-home everything until you can come up with a plan. Chances are it will only get worse. Possibly very quickly. Sorry.

 

[Michael Gentile]

It's possible that the base cracked because of expansion of salt creep caused by a leak. Is the salt creep new? Is it possible that water that has run down the tank from maintenance, etc... has just found that crack to settle?
If it's a leak, it's evidently a slow leak, or you would be seeing water instead of salt.

It looks like a lot of salt, so I would guess LEAK! I would put together a plan right away to replace the tank, or at least re-home everything until you can come up with a plan. Chances are it will only get worse. Possibly very quickly. Sorry.

the crack is brand new, i did maintenance on the tank but the salt is definitely coming from the crack, i checked this morning and it had formed again. i guess its time to get rid of the tank, not much i can do at this point.

 

[Michael Gentile]

hi that is a bowfront or corner?

no it is dead center of it

 

[Michael Gentile]

center bottom of bow best i can make, sorry ,i would worry ,sorry

yeah i think its time to get rid of the whole thing i cant do much about fixing or replacing it

 

[Michael Gentile]

Is that a new crack? The plastic frame isn’t as critical as the glass, but if that crack just happened I would wonder what is next?

yeah i feel like if that cracked randomly the glass could crack next, so its time to get rid of it

 

[vetteguy53081]

Its cosmetic, NOT structural. Do super glue it to keep it clean looking.
Tank is safe

 

[Josh Kraft]

Its cosmetic, NOT structural. Do super glue it to keep it clean looking.
Tank is safe

I don't agree, he said he cleaned the crack and the salt creep came back.

 

[link81]

Its cosmetic, NOT structural. Do super glue it to keep it clean looking.
Tank is safe

i respectfully disagree, solely based on the presence of salt.
@OP, you wiped up the salt and it came back? there is no evidence of a salt trail down the front of the tank?
I think there's a weep hole in the silicone, and the drying salt caused the crack to form. i would replace the tank ASAP.

 

[Jamesrup0411]

Where you located? If Michigan I got a drilled 55 you can have

 

[Fishy212]

At this point, it’s about how much you are willing to spend for peace of mind. There are so many perspectives on this.. example, my tank was not level for the first few months and it literally drove me absolutely insane. The amount of anxiety that it caused me was too much to handle. I had to use shims to level it up and make it a temporary fix until I figure out the long term solution.

it would bother me, not sure about you. Anything and everything that is within my control I try to keep within my control.
Good luck my friend. Do what makes you feel comfortable.

Brian

 

[Michael Gentile]

Its cosmetic, NOT structural. Do super glue it to keep it clean looking.
Tank is safe

i will try that since id love to keep it but what would explain the constant salt formations coming from the crack

 

[Michael Gentile]

At this point, it’s about how much you are willing to spend for peace of mind. There are so many perspectives on this.. example, my tank was not level for the first few months and it literally drove me absolutely insane. The amount of anxiety that it caused me was too much to handle. I had to use shims to level it up and make it a temporary fix until I figure out the long term solution.

it would bother me, not sure about you. Anything and everything that is within my control I try to keep within my control.
Good luck my friend. Do what makes you feel comfortable.

Brian

i mean it bothers me to the extent that is may lead to bigger cracks and possibly bursting, im going to try some things out before i scrap it, thank you!

 

[Michael Gentile]

Where you located? If Michigan I got a drilled 55 you can have

im in NJ so i wouldn't be able to pick it up but i really appreciate that!

 

[Michael Gentile]

i respectfully disagree, solely based on the presence of salt.
@OP, you wiped up the salt and it came back? there is no evidence of a salt trail down the front of the tank?
I think there's a weep hole in the silicone, and the drying salt caused the crack to form. i would replace the tank ASAP.

yeah i cleaned everything off last night and when i came down this morning to check on it, more salt had formed, im currently looking into getting a replacement tank but as of right now, there isnt much i can do to help it

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

That really stinks. Maybe it’s a sign that you need to upgrade to a bigger tank.

 

[vetteguy53081]

i will try that since id love to keep it but what would explain the constant salt formations coming from the crack

All condensation runs down the tank and pools within that trim thereby forming salt creep