Just noticed scratches on side of 300g, will it break?

[Zalick]

I just noticed a few scratches on the side of my 300g DD tank that I just set up. Its not returnable either....

I can feel the scratches with my finger nail on the outside, but not from the inside. They don't appear to be too deep. There are maybe 7 of them across the side in various locations, some very faint. None touch the edges or even come close. There is a single spot that looks like a rock chip on a windshield and it also can't be felt on the inside.

Everything appears to be superficial.

I'm not worried about asthetics as I can't see them unless up close.

Should I be worried about the tank eventually busting open?

I'd hate to take it down and buy a new tank for another $1700 bucks and go through the hassle of drilling and setting it up again but will if necessary.

I'm not home so can't post pics. Will post pics later tonight.

Thanks in advance!

[snorvich]

Glass or acrylic?

[rgulrich]

If the scratches are "cold" - more than a week or two old, it really shouldn't matter, especially so if they are relatively short and not near an edge.

I'm a little concerned about the "single spot that looks like a rock chip" you mentioned. Can you post a pic or two with a good ruler up next to it? Just like in a windshield in a car, a chip can spread out with pressure, and that wouldn't be a good thing.

I've put a few scratches in my Starphire front pane in my 300 DD, and only notice them when I clean the glass. Probably came from a grain of sand or some such when I was cleaning, too.

Cheers,
Ray

[MysteryReef]

Can you post photos?

The glass is at least 3/4" I assume, if it is in fact glass.

The windshield chip sounds concerning, if it was an impact on the outside that caused deflection on the inside, I would be very nervous...

[Zalick]

Its glass.

I'm not sure how long they've been there. I assume awhile. Tank was new and sitting in my garage while I worked on the plumbing etc.

There does not appear to be deflection on the inside from the chip.

I tried to take pics but they didn't show up. I'll try again when I get home.

Thanks for the help too!

I'm somewhat familiar with working with glass and that's why I'm concerned. Don't ml know much about these types of scratches affecting the integrity of the tank!

And they are on the non starchier side.

[Zalick]

Here are some pictures of the "chip". After placing a black suction cup behind the scratches and the chip I can see that the scratches and chip are VERY superficial. The glass is 1/2" think.

The pics are zoomed it so it looks bigger than it really is. The chip is 1cm long total from top to bottom with just a mm or so of the "chip" part. It doesn't extend much in to the glass at all.

I think it should be fine, but your assurances would help me sleep at night!

Also a FTS just for fun so the thread isn't all doom and gloom!

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=9667&pictureid=67339

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=9667&pictureid=67336
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=9667&pictureid=67337
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=9667&pictureid=67338

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=9667&pictureid=67341
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=9667&pictureid=67340

[rgulrich]

Talk to a windshield repair shop for the chip - they'll probably be able to cyanoacrylate the chip to eliminate most of the blemish. They -may- be able to CA the scratches, too, but they might not turn out quite as pretty.

Otherwise, I've scratched an old Oceanic 225 show with live rock and it lasted nearly 20 years before I let it go.

Nice C2C on the end of your DD; I kept the original view in my RR version:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=7947&pictureid=67084
You're going to have fun with that much real estate.
cheers,
Ray

[Zalick]

Talk to a windshield repair shop for the chip - they'll probably be able to cyanoacrylate the chip to eliminate most of the blemish. They -may- be able to CA the scratches, too, but they might not turn out quite as pretty.

Otherwise, I've scratched an old Oceanic 225 show with live rock and it lasted nearly 20 years before I let it go.

Nice C2C on the end of your DD; I kept the original view in my RR version:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=7947&pictureid=67084
You're going to have fun with that much real estate.
cheers,
Ray

Beautiful tank. How amazing are the Gyres?! Do you have them opposing? I was thinking of adding a second as well and putting one vertically so it spun the water around the sides and the other horizontal on opposing ends.

[AcroporAddict]

Don't sweat it and enjoy your tank. Nothing to worry about. They all get scratched eventually.

I see absolutely nothing in your pictures that would cause me to worry.

[Zalick]

Don't sweat it and enjoy your tank. Nothing to worry about. They all get scratched eventually.

I see absolutely nothing in your pictures that would cause me to worry.

Thanks. I wouldn't have given it a second thought on a small tank. This is my first large tank and it freaked me out since I just filled it with water!

[rgulrich]

Thanks - like I said, you're going to have fun with all that real estate in there!

I do have the Gyres opposing, currently running in 6hr 10min cycles with a 5min overlap coming in and going out. I've got them in 20sec pulse mode @100%, so I get kind of a wave action lateral gyre going; it speeds up and then relaxes. The coral all seem to like it so far.

I'm probably going to go for another set, the 70W version, when they come out, for a little more lateral gyre "strength". That would give me the option you're taking of putting these 50W Gyres vertical and changing things up occasionally with a vertical gyre. I do have a little rock work in those two corners the current should go behind on occasion. I'll have to see what the wallet says at that point! Heh!

This reef is actually built diagonally from what would normally be the left rear corner to about 2/3 the length toward the right front, with a euphyllia "island" in the right rear corner. Provides a large amount of reef space for coral, and lots of swimming space for the fish. It's really neat to be able to walk all the way around it, too. I really like how you set up your "islands" - drop me a note (with pics!) when you start stocking!

[AcroporAddict]

You'll like the 300DD. I had this tank for about three years, before I bought my 465 gallon. The increased depth (front to back) is the most striking aspect of the DD series, IMO.