Is tank centerbrace necessary

[SIReefer]

During a house move this weekend the plastic centerbrace for my 75 gallon glass tank cracked all the way through. I tried using quarium silicone to reinforce but it's not holding.
Anybody know a good way to seal the crack and also can I use tank w/no centerbrace if I can't mend the break? :question:
Corals are ok after the move but I lost a few fish. The rest are pretty stressed out, alive but not moving much. I am keeping in a rubbermaid tub w/the live rock until I get this centerbrace thing fixed.

 

[Hitsnorth]

YES I can say its important learning from a hard lesson. I started this thread
when mine broke. I went away and got that dreaded phone call when the back of the tank broke out.

 

[SIReefer]

Hitsnorth,
Any suggestions on how to repair? It seems a waste to ditch a 75 gal tank that was never used. Do they sell replacement tops/bracing? Would a peice of acrylic with glue work?????? HELP

 

[scarf_ace1981]

sir maybe you can have an acrylic shop build you a brace that grabs onto the front and back. sort of like

^---------------------------^
front pane acrylic brace back pane

 

[tosiek]

Acrylic and Weld-on. Don't use epoxy or glue or anything else. The acrylic needs to melt together and bond that way. Using a torch doesn't work :biglaugh:

Also silicone doesn't chemically bond to plastics the same way that it does glass, any force or pressure will tear off the silicone.

 

[Hitsnorth]

I never had a chance to repair mine. I broke it the night before going to Florida. I planned on dealing with it when I got back but obviously never had the chance, it had total failure the next day.

 

[loismustdie]

Since it's broke anyway, why not take it off all together and have a euro brace cut? You will not regret that center brace being gone and you'll love the safety net the euro brace provides.

 

[fishguttz]

Don't try to only repair the crack. Get a piece of plastic the same size and length as the middle brace and glue it on top of the existing cracked brace with bonding glue used for pvc pipes.

 

[rstimeout]

i like what fishguttz says the best what i would do it get the plastic screws and drill litle holes to hold it all toghter i have done this and it holds better good luck

 

[leoskee]

If you dont have the time for any of the suggestions above just buy another 75gl tank. They are not that expensive at Petland Discounts.

 

[loismustdie]

no glues, solvents, silicone etc are going to hold the pressure of the water. If I were to actually repair the brace, I would drill several holes on either side of the crack, use a minimum of 1/4 inch nylon screws and bolt a sloid piece of acrylic to the existing brace. I would not do this if I couldn't fit at least 8 nylon bolts on each side.
I'm still going to stand by the euro-brace idea. Safer, easier to work with (how many of us have had a piece of rock too big to fit with a center brace in the way) and better cosmetically as well.

 

[Kedd]

no glues, solvents, silicone etc are going to hold the pressure of the water.

I agree 100%

If you fix it, build a complete brace, or down the line it WILL blow apart

 

[loismustdie]

Hey, you figured out the quote issue! Now, how the hell do you get "originally posted by..." up there?
Kedd YGPM

 

[cali_reef]

Nylon screws does not do well with shear loads.

Call the manufacture and try to get a new top piece or get a new tank!!

 

[bad coffee]

all glass will sell the top brace. It's a PITA to get the old one off though. be careful you odn't crack the tank when you do.

B

 

[herman]

I agree with the Eurobrace. Strong support and no obstructions. Why even try to repair something on the cheap when you have a chance to repair it properly cheaply

 

[KathyC]

If it is an AGA tank then yes you can get an entirely new top frame from them (I replaced one on one of my 55's, not hard to do). You'll need to wait for the new silicone to set up, usually takes a couple of days for that.

How to contact them:
http://www.all-glass.com/services/index.html

 

[SIReefer]

Centerbrace issue

Thanks for the good suggestions & insight.
Due to time constraints w/bracing, reinforcing etc., I'm putting everything back in my 55 gal for now & will upgrade using one of the recommended options later on. The last thing I want is 75 gallons of water, live rock, fish & corals on the floor along w/burnt out water pumps/powerheads, cracked heaters & a soggy lighting system. :grumpy:
I went to Lowes last night but by the time you add in the acrylic sheets, cutter, glue & screws it would be less hassle, more peace of mind and not much more money to just buy a new 75 gal tank - maybe even a 90 gal (if I could sneak it in the house). Oh what to do w/my 75 gal w/cracked centerbrace?????

 

[bad coffee]

I don't think a new top brace will cost nearly as much as a new tank.

Same thing as the glass pieces to do a eurobrace.

I'll give you $20 for the old tank.

B

 

[KathyC]

As I recall the replacement top frame for my damaged 55 cost me about $14.00 shipped.

Out of curiosity I called AGA today and they said the following...
the frame for a 75G is too big for them to ship to a home without the possibility of it being damaged. The one way to get one is to go to your LFS and have them order it for you.
She provided me with the part #'s for the 2 frames available for the tank and suggested they be given to the LFS so you get the correct piece.
Black Frame - # 91040
Oak Frame - # 91118