there was recently a junk collection in my areaand someone put out a 20 gal tank /w lighting, hood, condensation tray and backround.
the tank fell off the wall into the ditch behind it and then i found it.
i took it home and put the stuff from it on my tank such as condensation tray and backround.

However, the tank itself has a crack in the base.
would it be possible to fix this using aquarium sealant??

What what a find. I be you could probably salvage it by using aquarium sealant to fix the crack. There will probably be someone along after me who is knowledgable on how to do it. Congrats

I have sucessfully sealed some cracks in the base of a small glass tank with aquarium sealent. the cracks were in the corners of the base though, I just kinda used loads and smeared it good. Its not pretty but does the job....not sure how long lasting that would be though, I only use this tank occasionally, like a spare. so if you fixed the tank it might need a regular maintanance fix every now and again

yeah, the crack in this tank is in the corner too.

tnx

oo! what a find! hope you can get it fixed

Alot depends on where the crack is, exactly. How long, how soon it is supported by the frame.

You can most certainly fill the crack. I have had a bit more luck using a reinforced fiberglass tape.

You can clean the glass really well - using acetone or alchol - let it dry really well. Apply a reinforced tape over the crack, extending it past the crack on both ends. Roll or press the tape down solidly against the tank glass, pushing out all the bubbles so you get a flat, complete bond.

Then take aquarium sealant and fill from the inside. I also like to spread a bit over the tape on the outside, too, sealing the tape within a layer of sealant. If you spread it thinly, it almost "laminates" the tape in there.

Support your tank really well. I always like a board the goes under the whole tank, with a piece of 1/4-3/8 inch stryofoam on top of that. The tank can sit on the styrofoam and squish it into any shape it needs to comepletely support the tank all around.

Do not forget to carefully test the water tight-ness of your tank - the newspaper test works really well.

What a find!

thanks!!!

but what is fiberglass tape???

the crack is in the corner and is about three inches long.

ill try to do a diagram:
_________________
| |
| |
| |
| /|
|______________/_|

ok... That didn't work.....

There are reinforced tapes that are sold for packages - the tape that has the little threads running through it. You will find it just about anywhere package tape is sold. This is made so that it is nearly impossible to rip through the tape (and open the box!). These threads are very tough - and this would be an excellent tape to use.

I would fill the crack on the inside. Stick the tape on the outside and fill over the tape.

A 3 inche crack is a substantial one. I would make sure that if you are going to repair this tank, you place it with FULL support -all around - as on a flat sheet of board. Do not rely on a thin metal tank frame to support it. Test the tank carefully, and ALWAY assume that the tank is in grave danger of leaking. Check it and keep a close eye on it constantly.

You always have the option of replacing the glass that has cracked. Being the bottom, though, can be the toughest panel to replace, for the four sides have no support when the bottom panel is off. You can, however do this. I have cut a 2X4 piece in a perfect 90 dgree angle pieces and clamped them on the tank's four corners to hold them in place. Then, you can cut away all the sealant that holds the broken panel on. Take this off, and scrape the glass clean. You will need a new tempered glass panel cut to the proper size. This may or may not be very cheap or easy to obtain. We have a glass shop that did mine. I placed the panel on the workbench, fit the 4 top sides down on it and used tape to wrap up the sides to hold it in place. I then sealed it all around, waited 48 hours, flipped it over, and sealed all around the outside of the bottom. That tank is still working wel ( a 20 gallon) - it is a spare that is used for a variety of things. (My sealant job is not very elegant, but..... it works well! )

cool! sounds good!

Thats awsome congrats!