Scratches

[Der]

Hello there. New to this forum and relatively new to the hobby too.
Recently obtained a second hand Juwel 260 litre tank to replace my 55 litre one, and just in the process of setting up. At one end of the tank, there is a scratch I can feel with my fingernail, about 6 inces long, towards the bottom of the tank.
Not terribly keen on the idea of having 260 litres of water and dead fish all over my living room carpet, so just wondering what my best game plan is here. Would smearing silicon sealant over the scratch help matters or is there anything elseI can-or need to -do? Grateful for any advice .

 

[helterskelter]

a scrach will not be a problem. it should not weaken the glass what so ever if it's only a scrach

 

[Rooster]

a scrach will not be a problem. it should not weaken the glass what so ever if it's only a scrach

Have you ever cut glass ? It starts with a scratch Depends on the depth really - NO scratch is "safe" but more than a few of us choose to ignore them !.... My 4 foot tank has a few surface scratches - ALL caused by ##### magnetic cleaners Im back to the razor-blade on a stick, and this does jump in the largest scratch... but unless its really deep, I wouldnt loose much sleep - only you know if it will bother you

 

[helterskelter]

Yes i have cut class, their is a difference though, as you use a score the length and it's designed to cut 30-50 microns into the glass. This creat's a weak line for the cut to follow, same with tiles.
A scrach a few inches will not weaken then glass. Unless it's through the thinness of the glass like what you see with a car windscreen. Then this is knackered.

I have several large tanks which sadly scratched cos of magnet scrapers too but these will not weaken then glass or we would have to replace them as their all in shop's with loads if kids and people looking at them all day.

 

[Der]

Yes i have cut class, their is a difference though, as you use a score the length and it's designed to cut 30-50 microns into the glass. This creat's a weak line for the cut to follow, same with tiles.
A scrach a few inches will not weaken then glass. Unless it's through the thinness of the glass like what you see with a car windscreen. Then this is knackered.

I have several large tanks which sadly scratched cos of magnet scrapers too but these will not weaken then glass or we would have to replace them as their all in shop's with loads if kids and people looking at them all day.

This ones about 6 inches long, not consistent depth, not straight line. The previous owner decided to take out the built in filter/pump to put in an external one, and by the look of it he's used a bread knife or something similar and scored the glass with it. I'm possibly being a bit neurotic here, but just want to be a bit careful when theres a very heavy cargo of water inside it.

 

[helterskelter]

I'll happily use that from the sounds of it, but if u are worried then the only thing you could to is get a bit of 3mm glass to cover the area and glue it in place then hide it with plants or wood or something.

A fish shop who dose glass work would happily do this for a pint or two I'm sure.

 

[Der]

I'll happily use that from the sounds of it, but if u are worried then the only thing you could to is get a bit of 3mm glass to cover the area and glue it in place then hide it with plants or wood or something.

A fish shop who dose glass work would happily do this for a pint or two I'm sure.

Would epoxy be OK as adhesive for this?

 

[helterskelter]

I'm not sure but think that would possibly leach stuff into the water, only use silicon for fish tanks.
What ever you use dont use silicon with anti-mould stuff in it as this will defo leach into the tank.

Silicon chemical bonds into the glass

 

[Der]

Guess I should use silicone specifically for tanks then?

 

[Rooster]

Sounds like you are worrying over nothing TBH, but if you did want to patch it... silicon or glassbond would "glue" another bit of glass over it ... but it doenst sound the hassle

 

[petertr]

I wouldn't bother. Many older tanks have scratches

 

[Der]

OK.
Thanks for all the advice folks.