Cracked frame. Should I worry

I just got a deal on a 55 gallon from my neighbor and noticed a couple of cracks on the frame. The first picture is a crack on the crossmember portion of the top frame.

The second is on the bottom frame and has another crack just like it on the opposite corner bottom frame.

Right now its filled up on my porch leak testing. All panels are tempered and 1/4" thick. I understand the crossmember prevents bowing but the plastic trims seem so flimsy I question how much they contribute to structural integrity. All opinions welcome

 

If you are worried you could always seal it with aquarium silicone and that way it can put you at piece of mind.

 

I will not say for sure that it will be ok, as I don't want to have given you faulty advice if something were to happen. But I have heard of people using their setups with broken frames and have had no issues. If it were me, I'd seal it up with something that is 1. for plastic, and 2. not chemically harmful to fish if exposed to it. Maybe Silicone?


Ahh, beaten to the punch!

 

I definitely wouldn't worry about the first one. That isn't supporting anything. You may want to reinforce it I'd you set a lamp on top, though, as you wouldn't want the lamp to fall in the tank!

I would try and repair the bottom one, though. If anything, it may be contributing to uneven weight distribution. With 55 gallons of water, that could have disastrous consequences!

 

Thanks for the responses I will silicone the top frame to reinforce it. Kinezumi, When you say try to repair the bottom one do you mean silcone it up or should I try to get a replacement frame? Or another idea, I need to build a stand for this tank anyway, so maybe I could make the tank sit in a recess to support bottom frame?

 

If you're making your own stand, would it be possible to just remove the bottom frame? It might just be there for aesthetic purposes. It may, however be an indication of underlying structural problems, so you should probably do a good inspection elsewhere.

 

I have a 20 gallon tall tank that was given to me by a coworker that has a crack in the bottom frame too.
(see my very first post on the site for pics)

After some research I bought some JB Weld, a plastic weld that claims to be very strong. After applying it
to the cracked area and letting it dry it seems to do as it claims. I filled the tank afterward and let it sit on
the back deck for a few days and it held just fine. I haven't used it yet though as luck would have it I found
a great deal on a 37 gallon tank that day and used that, but am contemplating either using it now or getting
a couple of 10 gallons and stacking them on a vertical DIY stand.

 

I've looked it over pretty thoroughly and those cracks were all I found, I guess I'm kinda nervous to just remove the bottom frame altogether. I wish I knew for certain that its just for aesthetics that would certainly simplify things. I have a few days to think about while it sits on the porch full of water I guess.

Ty Aquatic, I guess since it's on the outside of the tank it would be fine to use JB weld instead of silicone as I hear it's very strong.

 

It sounds like that plastic weld that aquatic mentioned might do the trick.

 

If I remember it was only $5 at walmart. Packaging says it's good to 3960 psi, sets in 20-25 min, cures in 15-24 hours and dries dark grey. Oh, and you can sand it down when done and paint it if you like. I didn't do that, just figured I'd put that spot facing the wall

 

If I remember it was only $5 at walmart. Packaging says it's good to 3960 psi, sets in 20-25 min, cures in 15-24 hours and dries dark grey. Oh, and you can sand it down when done and paint it if you like. I didn't do that, just figured I'd put that spot facing the wall

Sounds like a plan to me I prefer to go overkill in a situation like this so that psI rating is very impressive! Thanks for the info

 

I recently received a free 82g tank. It has a leak on the bottom , so I need to re seal it. The bottom frame on the aquarium has a crack on it. The middle support is still strong and intact. I know the frame helps the tank from bowing out, so getting rid of it seems out of the question.
Do I need to replace the frame since it has a crack? Or is it still ok since the middle support is still connected?

 

Edit: that may not help. 82g is non standard. Is this a metric tank that you've converted?

 

I think it was a custom tank. My sister got it for free. She gave it to me because she got 2 more free tanks, in better shape.
I think the measurements are 48 1\2 by 21 1\4 by 19 1\2 in inches. (It's been taken apart, and I can't remember what I got when I measured it...)

I'm a little tight on cash, so I can't really go out and buy a new frame.. am hoping I can get away with just sealing it and reattaching the frame. My fishies are in need of a bigger home.

 

To give 100% answer I'd need to see the damage. If you just want to stick it together and go, I'd recommend glueing it with E6000 epoxy.

 

Is there a way to post a picture on here without a link?

 

Computer or mobile? I've never used the computer, but mobile is pretty easy.

 

I'm mobile but on website not an app.

 

So here the cracks are. It almost seems like someone intentionally broke them to remove the frame at one point.

Really excited to get a free tank, but it definitely needs some tlc. The seal job was awful. It was caked on. No wonder that it leaks.

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Id assemble and seal the tank, then epoxy the frame on.

 

Ok I was thinking something along the line of super glue (not exactly that but something to stick it together) my boyfriend might have an epoxy though with guy stuff.

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With his guy stuff*

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You can buy E6000 at Wal-Mart. Silver squeeze tube about $4.
That'll work great.

 

Ill keep that in mind. Unfortunately idk when Ill be able tobuy any non essential stuff. Hours cut at work, pretty tight on cash. Thanks for taking time to reply to my question. Very much appreciated. Tried asking on a Facebook group my sister talks highly about and they completely ignored me.

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Facebook is good at that. I try to keep an eye out for posts that have 0 responses. They usually, have the most interesting questions. A lot of people never get into structural DIY with aquariums.

 

Yeah this is the first time I've had to fix an aquarium. I'm determined though!

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