Cracked Sand Filter Tank.

[chiangbill]

We have a crack in the Sand Filter Tank in the pool, pump room. Does anyone know who may be able to repair this. This also posted in the pools section.

Thanks.

[TRNCVaughan]

You'll be lucky.

[SpongeDiver]

I'm afraid you'll find that it's made from the type of plastic compound that cannot be repaired, except by a welding technique that, as far as I know, isn't available in Cyprus. Hot air/gas welding, for which you require the correct welding equipment, is a common fabrication technique for manufacturing/repairing smaller items such as chemical tanks, water tanks, heat exchangers, and plumbing fittings. Fibreglass will NOT stick to the type of material your filter is made from.

I'm also afraid that Vaughan is right - the only solution in TRNC is to buy a new one.

[TRNCVaughan]

If it can wait till the hot weather passes, I will give you a price for replacement.
Can you tell me the size of the filter and the manufacturer?
There should be a makers label on the filter.

[chiangbill]

Hi. Have sent a PM.

Thanks.

[chiangbill]

Sorry should have said. Tank is fiberglass, but the lid which is made of plastic and that's where the hairline crack is. It's a Water Fun Series S

[SpongeDiver]

If it's a fibreglass lid, it could be re-glassed over, but you'd have to use matting, as well as the resin & hardener. I have done a lot of fibreglass work - mainly on marine craft, repairing garden ornamental pots and miniature work, such as the cowls on model aircraft.

An alternative well worth trying, is to cover the crack from the inside and outside with aquarium quality silicon, which sticks to fibreglass, although it's best to roughen the area of application.

[Asia111]

The acquarium silcone can be purchased from Tayfe/Marshalls and reasonably priced at around 20 TL a tube.

However, it may only work in the short term. We used CT1 - a similar product round a dripping pipe valve. The chlorine in the water seemed to affect the product. In the end we did the job properly and changed the valve

We too have recently changed our sand filter after 11 years. We were offered a repair option for 150 euros with no guarantee!

[Keithcaley]

chiangbill,

Just to clarify - is it a) the Fibreglass tank that is cracked, or

b) the plastic lid that is cracked?

You often get cracks in the plastic lids, radiating from the threaded hole where the pressure gauge is located - normally because someone has screwed it in too tight!

[SpongeDiver]

Keith, of course, is absolutely right: 'You often get cracks in the plastic lids, radiating from the threaded hole where the pressure gauge is located - normally because someone has screwed it in too tight!'

However, during repair, which ideally should be done with some carbon fibre strand, as well as fibreglass matting, the area around the hole where the pressure gauge is inserted can be easily beefed up with carbon fibre strand, which is cheap enough; but, again, it's unlikely you'll find carbon fibre, either strand, sheet, strip, or rods, in all of Cyprus. You'll need to source it from UK/EU and either risk getting it posted, or get someone to bring it. I should also mention, that the pressure gauge thread hole, as Keith says, needs, for ultimate strength, the carbon fibre strand glued around with epoxy, rather than fibreglass and should be attended to first, and afterwards apply the fibreglass resin/hardener mix and matting. This may all sound rather complicated, but if you have the right materials a very effective repair can be made in a very short time. Don't be deterred - unless, of course, you're so well-heeled that you can simply race out and buy a new filter! Imagine the satisfaction, though, of making a permanent repair!

[SpongeDiver]

G'day again Bill!

I just spotted this:

http://www.repairproducts.co.uk/page20. ... GwodQFIKlg

[TRNCVaughan]

Sounds like the lid needs replacing.
Can you post some pictures and we will see if we have one.

[chiangbill]

Hi. Thanks for all replies. New lid sourced and fitted, So all should be OK now.

[SpongeDiver]

'All's well that ends well!'