120 gal sump from old craked tank????

Orient Master · 04-17-2007, 05:23 AM

I have an old 120 gal glass tank that once was to be my main display tank. It spung a leak and when i went to fix it i craked the glass on the back panel.

My question is could, and would it be ok to use it as a sump instead. since the sump will not be filled all the way and the crack is at the upper third of the tank. the glass is 1/2 inch thick. 72" x 18" x 21".

Here are some of the pics of the tank before it lost its water. the tank was still cycleing.

and now when the crack happened

I don't have any other good pics of the stand that it would go in other than the one that you see of that the tank is sitting on in the first pic. I would have to cut the back braces off so that i could fit the tank in to the stand, but i already have to cut out the inner walls to open up the inside of the inner walls. The back braces would be cut in such a way that the braces would be put back in to continue to suport the back of the stand.

Please let me know if i am going at it all the wrong way or i might just be able to use this tank for something actualy.

the stand is made up of three boxes side by side

the center box looks like this with the doors on and the next with the doors off. the back panel will come off.

and both boxes on either side will have doors also.

Tim224DT · 04-17-2007, 05:46 AM

I would say no dont use it.....Once a tank has a crack in it you need to replace that whole piece that cracked or get a new tank. When it cracks it weakens the structure of the tank and will over time just break the rest of the way and flood your floor.

Orient Master · 04-17-2007, 06:14 AM

well the tank had the leak like i said earlier but the leak is fixed but like i said that the corner cracked. what if that side of the tank is were the water level stays below the crack like were the return pump sits.

like this simple sump pic.

Geoff · 04-17-2007, 11:09 PM

i would think you are fine below the crack as long as the crack has not caused any pulling of the seal. you do not need the extra glass above the crack for support. the tank will just act like it is only as tall as the water level. 1/2" glass is a good thickness for a 72" tank that is only 21" tall.

G~

Bergovoy · 05-03-2007, 04:38 AM

I would want to know why it cracked in the first place. Is ther any bracing on the tank, was there some trim that wwent around the perimeter???

It looks like there wasnt any and if that is the case, then the tank probably bowed out under stress of the water and will do so again. Even if filled only 'so far'. It will ust diflect a bit less, but still I would not want to chance it...

Good luck and let us know...

Bill

Geoff · 05-03-2007, 10:10 AM

good call on figuring out why it cracked in the first place. i would not worry to much if it was cracked during moving. it does not take much of a bump to crack a tank of that size.

Bergovoy · 05-03-2007, 11:05 AM

I think you are just trying to make me feel good...

Bergovoy · 05-03-2007, 11:06 AM

^
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Orient Master · 05-04-2007, 05:39 AM

I did have the plastic molding around the bottom of the tank when it did have water in it.

It did spring a leak. and that was probably from the lack of bracing on the top but i had i resealed it and it was holding water just fine.

the tank was craked from moving the tank. It happened when i was atemping to paint the back of the tank.

But anyways thanks for the info i have sence then decide to just sell the tank as a terrarium instead and then i dont have to worry about water at all.

So any one want a 120 gal terrarium????

Bergovoy · 05-04-2007, 08:03 AM

WOW, another insomniac!!!

And yes, a terarium is a much better choice for the remainder of that tanks natural life...

Good call.

Bill