What to do with a Cracked 60 CUBE

[LarryM]

I was presented a 60 cube that had a crack in the back class panel.

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn282/wavesofglass/tank%20repairs/P1030508.jpg

First and most critical part is removing old panel. This is where you can stress and damage adjacent panels. Slowly cut old silicane and use pushing clamps to apply pressure

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn282/wavesofglass/tank%20repairs/P1030509.jpg

Slowly cut old silicane and use pushing clamps to apply pressure

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn282/wavesofglass/tank%20repairs/P1030510.jpg

If done correctly class will separate cleanly

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn282/wavesofglass/tank%20repairs/P1030511.jpg

100% of old silicone sealant must be removed from old glass. This will take hours of scraping and going through lots of razor blades. I probably used about 50 blades on this project.

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn282/wavesofglass/tank%20repairs/P1030512.jpg

once edge is cleaned I use painters tape to make clean silicone beads

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn282/wavesofglass/tank%20repairs/P1030513.jpg

apply a good bead of 100% silicone sealant. I use templates and fixtures to align assemblys

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn282/wavesofglass/tank%20repairs/P1030514.jpg

Set glass and pull tape

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn282/wavesofglass/tank%20repairs/P1030515.jpg

Curing

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn282/wavesofglass/tank%20repairs/P1030516.jpg

panel installation is complete

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn282/wavesofglass/tank%20repairs/P1030518.jpg

continued next post.......

[LarryM]

Part II

prep for overflow install

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn282/wavesofglass/tank%20repairs/P1030519.jpg

overflow installed

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn282/wavesofglass/tank%20repairs/P1030521.jpg

cured

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn282/wavesofglass/tank%20repairs/P1030522.jpg

One 60 gal Cube 24x24x24 completed and ready to use

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn282/wavesofglass/tank%20repairs/P1030523.jpg

Just add water

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn282/wavesofglass/tank%20repairs/P1030524.jpg

Leak testing overflow box and tank seams

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn282/wavesofglass/tank%20repairs/P1030526.jpg

Total labor was about 8 hours separating glass and overflow, maybe 10 hours cleaning silicone from old glass and overflow (overflow had glass inserts) another three hours prepping tank and new glass and assembling.

Another tank is back in service and the owner was happy to see the finished product.

[smirkis]

awesome work

[davocean]

Excellent job Larry!

[Matt M]

Very Nice!

[lth03]

You only use silicon to keep the panel together with the rest of the tank?No glass glue at all?

[LarryM]

You only use silicon to keep the panel together with the rest of the tank?No glass glue at all?

I have never seen any kind of "glass Glue" that keeps strenth under pressure. How many mirrors have you seen fall from windsheilds ;)
This is the same proceedure that has adheared all the glass tanks since they stopped using liquid rubber and metal frames on all seams. (there may be a few trade secrets on prep and assembley though)

[ajn81]

Very nice demonstration.

[JAHGYDI]

(How many mirrors have you seen fall from windsheilds)

mirrors on windsheilds are not held on by silicone.

[lth03]

That what I try to say,they sell that special glue to hold the mirror to windshield and that little tube is not cheap,those glue might not be reef safe or fish safe but you always coating the seam with silicon and the glue never contact water.Last time when I have my 40 gallon bow front leaking from the seam,I use some of it and super glue to joint the seam first,let it dry for 24 hour and apply silicone coating at the seam to cover them up and they never leak again.Since you spent a lot of delicate time into this project,I hope It will turn out nicely and safe in the long run.

[99sf]

Larry, thank you for sharing the photos & your process with us. You really devoted a lot of time to restoring your tank! It turned out really well.

[LarryM]

(How many mirrors have you seen fall from windsheilds)
mirrors on windsheilds are not held on by silicone.

Not sure of your point. Mine was that you see a lot of mirrors come off due to the special glass glue failure. Thats why you find the stuff in abundance at auto parts stores.


That what I try to say,they sell that special glue to hold the mirror to windshield and that little tube is not cheap,those glue might not be reef safe or fish safe but you always coating the seam with silicon and the glue never contact water.Last time when I have my 40 gallon bow front leaking from the seam,I use some of it and super glue to joint the seam first,let it dry for 24 hour and apply silicone coating at the seam to cover them up and they never leak again.Since you spent a lot of delicate time into this project,I hope It will turn out nicely and safe in the long run.

I have no issue with safety and using silicone... I have made and modified many tanks and accesories without a single failure. It is a process that has been the aquarium industry standard for decades. Search the net out there and you will find many articles on repairs and manufacture to back this up. I have never heard of any manufacturer using glass glue, because it is too fragile. Your aquarium is more that likely still intact due to "coating" with silicone.