Fix it or replace it?

VirgoWolf

Superstar Fish
Feb 16, 2006
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#1
So if you read my last thread, you know my monster tank met a bitter end a couple weeks ago... I just assume it would be better/easier to replace it, but some people think it's a fixable situation... would it be worth it to try to have it fixed? or should I just replace it? It would need a full back piece of glass and full reseal job, not sure what that would cost or how reliable it would be on a tank this size... I wouldn't fix it myself obviously, that's a job for the pros, but I just don't want to take a risk if I don't need to... and I kinda have a neat idea or two for the broken tank if it isn't worth fixing.
 

VirgoWolf

Superstar Fish
Feb 16, 2006
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#3
Keep in mind this is NOT a cheap tank... if I could get it fixed and not have to worry about the reseal job failing for $500 or less, it'd probably be the better way to go, just not sure how possible that is... I worry about the rest of the glass being weakened by the fall or the reseal not holding up... just don't want another disaster... a worse one... and I'd hate to pay to get it fixed and then go through all of this again...
 

VirgoWolf

Superstar Fish
Feb 16, 2006
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#5
Yeah, it's just the back piece that's destroyed, I don't see anything on the other pieces, but I'd definitely take a real close look at the corners and bottom if I decided to get it fixed... That's what I'm worried about, I have no idea where to even start with trying to find someone who could fix it...

I was my 220gal. :(
 

#6
In my opinion, I don't think I could take the risk of trying to fix it. My biggest fear is of a tank just breaking, I mean water is like eight pounds a gallon and with say a 220 gallon tank that's almost 2000 pounds against a section of glass that is going to get fixed..

I think it ultimately comes down to buying a new tank or worrying the entire time after fixing the old tank that it won't break/crack. I also have to say that if you do choose to fix it, you need to really make sure that the person is an absolute professional who knows all about glass because you have children and say your little boy is looking in that tank and one day it breaks, I just couldn't trust it. But I know manufacturers may also make unreliable tanks so I don't know..

I'm sorry about your tank though :( I do hope you can figure something out..
 

VirgoWolf

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Feb 16, 2006
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#7
That's pretty much my mind frame on it, I just had to ask since every time the subject comes up, someone asks why I just don't get it fixed instead of replacing it...

Being such a big tank does make all the difference in the world... a 75gal tank or less it would probably be no big deal, it's not going to destroy the house if it breaks, etc... but then again, a tank that small would be cheap to replace, so I'd probably still opt to just replace it! LOL

Thanks. I am thinking if we do replace it, we might either silicone the back piece back together and then go the route of making it a terrarium/vivarium with a faux rock back (to cover/reinforce the back glass and make it look better) and either find a spot for it and stock it with something cool :p ... OR... I want to find a place that does recycled glass counter tops (like this if you haven't seen them) and see if they would work with me to use the tank glass to make a dining room table top out of it for me... I think it would be a great piece, we need a new dining set, and it would be an awesome conversation piece for sure! LOL
 

#9
That's pretty much my mind frame on it, I just had to ask since every time the subject comes up, someone asks why I just don't get it fixed instead of replacing it...

Being such a big tank does make all the difference in the world... a 75gal tank or less it would probably be no big deal, it's not going to destroy the house if it breaks, etc... but then again, a tank that small would be cheap to replace, so I'd probably still opt to just replace it! LOL

Thanks. I am thinking if we do replace it, we might either silicone the back piece back together and then go the route of making it a terrarium/vivarium with a faux rock back (to cover/reinforce the back glass and make it look better) and either find a spot for it and stock it with something cool :p ... OR... I want to find a place that does recycled glass counter tops (like this if you haven't seen them) and see if they would work with me to use the tank glass to make a dining room table top out of it for me... I think it would be a great piece, we need a new dining set, and it would be an awesome conversation piece for sure! LOL
Hahaha yeah, I gotcha :] the massive size of the tank kind of deters the fix-it method. But in the event that you do replace it I think the terrarium/vivarium idea is pretty neat.

Although making a dining set out of it would be awesome! It really would be a great conversation piece "Well you see one day..." it'd be a fabulous story. Plus nice dining sets are pricey, you could use dining set money on a fish tank and make your own dining set! Haha
 

Lotus

Ultimate Fish
Moderator
Aug 26, 2003
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Southern California
home.earthlink.net
#10
Honestly, I'm not willing to have a tank bust, kill all my fish, destroy my carpet/flooring and furniture and blow up the house (if the water got into something electrical). It's more risk than its worth, IMO. The cost of a new tank, while steep, isn't as much as the cleanup. Tanks themselves aren't the main cost--it's the filters, lights, fish, stand and decorations.
 

VirgoWolf

Superstar Fish
Feb 16, 2006
1,933
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Michigan
#11
That was EXACTLY what went through my head as soon as I stopped panicking after watching it fall long enough for my dad to ask if I could get it fixed, LOL. I was like Ummm... NO! LOL But the more people asked and asked, I figured I'd at least see what some people who understand aquariums had to say about it, but you all sound like me, so I'm thinking new tank it is! LOL Thanks! :)

LOL Yeah, it would make a great convo piece as a dining room table... I think I'd have to keep the pic of my brothers horribly bruised, welted, swollen legs nearby though, kinda goes with the whole story (he REALLY tried to save that tank when it started going down... almost lost his kneecaps and probably got a hairline fracture or two, his legs were pretty banged up!)