Does a cracked rim equal a trashed tank?

[ctopal]

The rim cracked cleanly on my 30, glass is fine. Is there a way to repair this that will ensure the integrity of the tank or am I better off scrapping it? I wouldn't even want to take a chance. And I'm not in need of it right now, so I'll just free up space if it's not worth saving. Thoughts?

My husband had put it outside for me to clean out and filled it with water last weekend and I didn't get around to it. I'm guessing some of the cold we had must have put some expansion pressure on it??? Although it's not like the thing froze solid so that doesn't make a ton of sense to me. Maybe the plastic just didn't like the cold.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m27/ctopal/tank%20stuff/IMAG0157_zpsccikngko.jpg (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/ctopal/media/tank%20stuff/IMAG0157_zpsccikngko.jpg.html)

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m27/ctopal/tank%20stuff/IMAG0158_zpsgxrz0owe.jpg (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/ctopal/media/tank%20stuff/IMAG0158_zpsgxrz0owe.jpg.html)

[Rwinfrey]

I would say no but its olny a 30 so if you dont need it or not using it......I personally would toss it......

[RossTheReefer]

No, i dont think so. That is just a plastic piece thats siliconed on to add strength at the corners. It still has that strength since its not cracked in the corner.

Anyone agree?

[ctopal]

It's right in the middle, but I'm concerned on taking any chance on it. Since I don't need it and they are cheap enough to get later I'm going to bail.

Anyone want a 30 tall, maybe a reptile cage or something?

[mtc1966]

you can replace them . I did on a 29g tank I had was like 10 bucks for a new rim.

[mtc1966]

oh and yes the glass will bow with that crack . mine did.

[ctopal]

Hmmm, good to know. Maybe someone could get some use out of it. I really don't have a great storage spot for it which is also weighing on my mind.

[ctopal]

So it started to bug me as to how this happened and what a perfectly lined crack it was. I just measured it, it's in the exact middle of the tank. I'm starting to think that maybe it's just how the rim was manufactured and that it's not all one seamless piece. I'm trying to find before pics of the tank to see if it was there all along and I just forgot or didn't notice it. If this is the case, I'm going to claim early morning fogginess on my part to blame :)

[ca1ore]

Friend of mine makes tanks and has told me on multiple occasions that unless the top rim has a cross brace, it serves no structural purpose. Indeed, on many tanks, the top is often four separate pieces 'mitered' together. So, not familiar with this particular tank, but if there is a structural cross brace then, no, I would not use it. If, however, there is no cross brace, as it appears, then the fact that the rim has a cut in it (from the photo, that is an intentional cut or maybe a split at the joint, not a crack) is immaterial to the integrity of the tank. If the tank is old, or has been abused in some way, then it certainly might fail on being filled, however, the presence of the cut will not be a factor as long as it has no cross brace.

[Pallobi]

As long as the cross brace is in tact your fine. No worries at all. I kept a 75g like this for a long time. That area of the top trim has no bearing on anything at all.

[phillrodrigo]

It does look to be a perfect split. I bet it was there before just smaller. Is the crack as perfect as it looks or is that the picture

[mtc1966]

Come to think of it the one I replaced it was the center brace that cracked causing the bowing not the frame itself.

[ctopal]

Good info on the center brace, this tank doesn't have one. It is pretty perfect, my husband thinks it was manufactured. Thanks for all the help.

[swk]

I would imagine that if you filled it with a quality 2 part epoxy of some sort it would be good as new.

[dubdlee]

Try contacting the tank manufacturer. I had a 40 gal tank split a rim once and got a new one FedExed to me and it wasn't too hard to replace. Also know someone that had a 90 marineland tank that the centerbrace broke and they got a new rim and replaced it while the tank was still full and running.

[DerekFF]

Typically 30g and under tanks don't need the top rim. It's for looks and minimal structural reinforcement. It's common place to remove the top rim for a semi "rimless" look for fresh water planted tanks <30g. IMO it's fine. If you're really worried just epoxy it with JB weld or something. But I don't think the tanks integrity has been compromised in the slightest.

[leewish]

If your really concerned about it throw it on craigslist for someone to use with a reptile or amphibian that doesn't require a full amount of water. Then you get sketching for it.

[Dankrencisz]

Call the mfg. I have a 140g with a split seam. No center brace. Aqueon is selling me a new top frame (72"x18") with the center brace for me to make the repair.