Crack In New Aquarium

[Guest141771]

I got a new 5 Gallon Aquarium, though unfortunately I discovered a crack in the bottom back left corner.
These are photos of the crack:
Top Part:

Bottom Part:

Is there a way to seal/fix this?

 

[MuddyWaters]

Wow! That's quite a crack. if it were mine I would try to fix it with sealant. The trouble is around the frame, though- not sure how many cracks are under there taht you can't see?

 

[EmmaS]

No chance I would attempt fixing that huge crack. Straight in the bin I'm afraid

 

[Fishmanic]

One plus is it's only a 5 gallon aquarium and is not too expensive. Replacement of the tank is the best option.

 

[Guest141771]

Ah…shoot.
I could try using it as a paludarium or terrarium instead though.

 

[Colin_T]

Is it in the side or base?
How did that happen?

If the tank didn't have the plastic frame you could remove the broken piece of glass and silicon a new piece in. However, due to the tank being small, it's probably cheaper to replace the tank rather than buying silicon and glass and rebuilding it.

 

[Lcc86]

Can you return it for a replacement? Not sure if that's feasible but even if not it could be worth sending pics to the retailer to see if they will issue a partial refund. Paludarium could be cool though

 

[Sleeveless]

You said it's new, so I'd return it for one that isn't busted. Don't try and fix that, especially with something you got new.

 

[Uberhoust]

If you can't return it, I have siliconed cracks of that size on small tanks successfully, but it is not ideal. The one consideration is that cracks that terminate mid glass plate will typically continue till they get to the edge and you don't know where they will go till they get there, so I will slightly push on them till they run to an edge then silicone them. There is not a lot of pressure on a 5 gallon tank, but 5 gallons of water is a lot of water if released in your home.

Returning the tank is the best bet. It looks like the tank was dropped on the one corner.

 

[Guest141771]

You said it's new, so I'd return it for one that isn't busted. Don't try and fix that, especially with something you got new.

It was fortunately a garage sale find.
Did not look cracked upon first inspection, but something must have happened.

Is it in the side or base?

The crack is in the bottom left corner of the aquarium.

If you can't return it, I have siliconed cracks of that size on small tanks successfully, but it is not ideal. The one consideration is that cracks that terminate mid glass plate will typically continue till they get to the edge and you don't know where they will go till they get there, so I will slightly push on them till they run to an edge then silicone them. There is not a lot of pressure on a 5 gallon tank, but 5 gallons of water is a lot of water if released in your home.

I’ll do this, then make it into a paludarium.
I have left over equipment from my first 5 gallon aquarium, so I won’t be spending anything.
If it leaks, into the bin.
If not, then I got a cheap aquarium.

 

[Colin_T]

The other option is to put a false bottom in it. You buy a sheet of glass that is a couple of mm thicker than what's already there, and silicon it onto the bottom glass (inside the aquarium).