How likely is smacked tank edge to fail?

[familyfish]

This may be in the wrong area so please feel free to move if it is. It is not a fish emergency but a time-sensitive tank question.

While changing the water I stupidly smacked the edge of a 5.5 g Aqueon glass tank. That front side has a seam where the glass does not meet perfectly (ie, one edge was sealed together such that it extends a bit past the side edge). That front edge has smashed where I hit it. It is about 1.5 – 2 inches from the tank top. Photos attached. You cannot feel it from, the inside (it is covered with the original sealant), but obviously you can from the outside.

I have no idea how likely it is to fail now.

Do I a) rush out and replace it this afternoon; b) smear some aquarium caulk on the outside and plan to replace it soon; c) smear caulk on the outside and leave it; d) other?

Thanks so much!

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[lou zello]

only my opinion but from the photos it looks like the glass just chipped.if it's not leaking i would leave it alone.5.5 gal dosen't apply a lot of pressure so i don't really think it's going to be a problem other than not looking good.if you don't like the looks of it and you can do it without much trouble turn it around during a water change so it's in the back and you don't see it.

[twotone12valve]

That doesn't look like anything to worry about to me. Is there a little crack? Or just the chip?

[familyfish]

There is a chip in the edge (this is the edge that protrudes - as I said it was never a perfect joint so one side stuck out past the other side; the pieces in the chipped part are a bit loose - we put aquarium silicon over that to stabilise it) and there is small crack running in from the chip. You cannot feel the crack from either the inside or the outside, but you can see it.

That doesn't look like anything to worry about to me. Is there a little crack? Or just the chip?

[twotone12valve]

The crack would worry me, but a 5 gal doesn't have much pressure against the glass so I'm sure you don't have much to worry about.

[ScottFish]

I agree with all that's been said above. You should be fine. Perhaps you could tape some tissue paper (or something) to the outside of the seem to see if any water is leaking. If nothing else, it will give you peace of mind.

[essabee]

You have no ticking clock to disaster

Options: 1) Turn it from back to front as suggested.
2) Mask it by covering the outer edges with 3/4 inch - L aluminum/plastic sections.

[Diana]

On a larger tank, or if the chip was lower down I would worry about the crack, not the chip.
The chip looks like a smooth, clean... well... chip. Not rippled, no obvious place for a crack to get started. I have several tanks with small chips like that, and some are pretty close to the bottom, and all my tanks are larger than 5 gallons.

Since there is a crack, again, in a larger tank, or lower down I would worry.

In this case not a problem. The tissue paper idea is a good one!