Hi everybody, joey here again and welcome back.
So in today's video I'm going to show you how to repair a broken glass aquarium.
This video will concentrate on tanks that are cracked. If you are looking for how to
fix a leaking aquarium, I previously did a video on how to reseal and aquarium HERE.
So a cracked aquarium is not the end of the world. However, the remedy for a fix does
depend on where it is cracked.
There are two main types of cracks. A crack on a side panel and a crack in the bottom
of the tank.
We're going to talk about how to repair both types and how to prevent them.
The easiest type of crack is if the bottom panel cracks.
If the bottom cracks, we need to do 3 things. We first need find out why it cracked and
either fix that issue first, or put in some sort of safe guard to prevent it from happening
again. We then need to alleviate the stress that
caused the crack. Finally, we can fix it.
Figuring out why it cracked usually is due to one of 3 issues. Something fell in your
tank and cracked it. The stand was not a flat surface and caused the tank to twist and then
crack. OR something was under the glass and put pressure on it enough to crack it. Even
a small pebble can cause this.
So knowing if you tank has a flat surface or not is simple. If you have an aquarium
with a bottom trim, all sides and corners will be touching the stand when the tank is
EMPTY. Do not judge this when full as the tank can twist and settle with all side touching.
If the stand is flat it might have been something falling in the tank. It will be more than
obvious if that was the issue.
Finally, something might be stuck under the tank like a small pebble that caused the crack.
This will only be possible if the tank does not have a bottom trim that elevates the bottom
panel off the surface.
If it was the stand, fix it. Take the stand apart and build it again if needed.
If a rock or something fell and caused the crack, then remove everything from the tank,
including the substrate. Once you patch the crack, lay some egg crate on the bottom of
the tank and then your substrate over it. This will take the impact if something were
to fall again. Reconsider your layout as well and consider cementing your rock work together
if that was the problem.
So we now know how to find out why it cracked and how to prevent it from happening again.
Now we
can move onto patching the crack.
If you tank has a bottom trim on it, you will know that the bottom pane of glass floats.
Since we are not actually going to replace that bottom piece, we need to support that
bottom pane so it can no longer sag.
We will need a piece of Styrofoam that is the same thickness as the lip of the brace
We will want to place this Styrofoam inside the lip and it will need to be the same size
as the bottom pane.
If your stand does not have any center support and is an open top, you will have the support
it then add a sheet of plywood over it.
Sit the tank in place with the Styrofoam under it, and then move to patching it. The patch
only needs to be another sheet of glass cut to a size that will overlap the crack. With
enough silicone, simply place the new piece of glass over the crack. 6 mm glass is what
I like to use for any size crack. Let it cure for 24 hours and your set.
The end result: Well, since the crack is now supported from under the tank, it can no longer
flex and pull apart. With the patch over the crack, it can no longer leak.
If you tank does not have a brace and the bottom pane simply sits on the stand, then
insure you have Styrofoam down to absorb any irregularities in the stand, then move right
to the patching of the crack.
You can also simply replace the whole panel, but the costs will be much more, and much
more labor intensive. Both will yield the same result, and no one will know which one
you did as it will be covered in substrate anyways. I prefer the patch, as it's easier,
cheaper and just as good as replacing.
Now, what if the side front or back panel cracks. Well. We need to replace the whole
panel. The reason being is simple. Not only will it be ugly, and there is no hiding it,
but it also won't last. The pressure being put on these panels is too great for a patch.
You have to replace the panel.
We need to take the whole tank apart to replace a panel, and doing so is not that difficult.
In my video on building a corner tank, I show how to take a tank apart. Watch that to find
out how.
Given the fact that you would have to buy a whole new panel, and the labor that goes
into replacing it, you might want to simply compare those costs to what it would cost
to replace the whole aquarium. Unfortunately sometimes that might be the best route.
Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed the video, I definitely want to thank you for watching,
and we'll see you next time.
So here is a simple and fun contest. In a moment, I will provide you with an annotation
link. It will link to one of my other videos.
Somewhere in the next video will have another annotation. They will be hidden in one of
the blocks like the background of this video. If you're not sure what an annotation is,
it's one of these!
Slide your mouse over it to reveal it.
You will have to find five annotations total. One in each video link to the next.
The first three people to inbox me here on YouTube with the correct order the videos
were linked in, will win a free shirt like the one I wore in this video.
Whatever size and color you want. Shipped right to your door. Worldwide.
The winners will be announced on my fan page. The first three people are guaranteed a t
shirt; however I will also select another random three over the next few days to give
everyone a chance. So that's it!
Here's the first link. Good luck.