What are my options for repairing a tank?

[testhead1313]

I have a 115 Oceanic tank with a smashed bottom that I was thinking of using as a sump. What are my options as far as repairing the tank so it holds water? I know the most obvious option is get a new piece of glass cut and reseal the entire tank. I remember a while back, ScubaDave bought a tank with a crack in the bottom and he reinforced the bottom pane with plywood to support the weight of the water. Can anyone tell me their experiences and opinions? Thanks!
Chris

 

[NateHanson]

You could get a pane of glass cut to fit inside the bottom of the tank, and silicone it to the bottom and sides of the tank.

 

[lawrant]

You could do as Nate suggested with a piece of acrylic also - which you can cut yourself pretty easily. And since you already have some support from the current bottom you wouldn't need to use anything too thick.

 

[testhead1313]

I had thought of those, but wasn't sure if there's enough of the original bottom left to support it. Take a look:

 

[NateHanson]

But if you put as big a piece as you could fit in there, it would be bonded to the sides as well as the bottom, so the bottom wouldn't matter. I wouldn't use acrylic though, because it doesn't bond to silicone well, and you want a really good bond for this to work. I'd spread silicone over the entire bottom and press the new piece onto it, then run a fat bead of silicone around the 4 sides of the new piece. It'll be like a laminated glass bottom.

 

[testhead1313]

Thanks Nate, I'll start calling around for prices. What thickness do you think it'll need to be? The original piece is 1/2" thick.
Chris

 

[maurod]

You are going to remove the overflow when you put the new piece of glass in, arent you ?

 

[Jim Tansey]

I would not depend on that bottom for one ounce of support, even though you would get some if siliconed to the original, I would use 1/2 inch tempered. Better yet try to find a used tank for the sump.

Jim

 

[testhead1313]

You are going to remove the overflow when you put the new piece of glass in, arent you ?

They're already gone

 

[testhead1313]

I would not depend on that bottom for one ounce of support, even though you would get some if siliconed to the original, I would use 1/2 inch tempered. Better yet try to find a used tank for the sump.

Jim

I haven't gotten a chance to price this, but you might be right Jim, it may just be too cost prohibitive.

 

[Michael Mota]

I agree the glass pain may be more cost than just buying a used tank. You would have to shop around for prices