Am I screwed ?

[DakotaTheHutt]

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.

 

[Funston07]

That would be very concerning if it were mine

 

[Greenreef75]

Same here

 

[Alchameth]

I would

 

[Jmasonreef]

Is that acylic?

 

[Jmasonreef]

If so could just be crazing.

 

[Greenreef75]

What size tank

 

[DakotaTheHutt]

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

 

[Billdogg]

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.

 

[DakotaTheHutt]

well. crap. how long do you guys think i have to find a new tank?

 

[Dieing for a Drink]

if its glass toss it

 

[anthonygf]

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.

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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]

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]

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

 

[Jon Fishman]

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

It’s fine

 

[vetteguy53081]

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.

 

[DakotaTheHutt]

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?

 

[DakotaTheHutt]

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.

 

[DakotaTheHutt]

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

 

[DakotaTheHutt]

I'm going to drain it, and redo the foam.