help! fast! 250g braces broke

[zona322]

what should i do? help help help
thanks craig

 

[jrobbins]

is it a glass brace? if so you can probably get it fixed, or if you are really feeling brave you could do it yourself with a razor and some silicone. meantime drain enough water so the tank doesn't bow.

if it were me i would just invest in a new tank. 250 gallons of saltwater in your house would suck....

 

[zona322]

it is a glass tank aga i am draining it. but can i put 1 inch plex for the supports.
thanks for the help
craig

 

[NYreefNoob]

which brace broke and can u take a pic of it ?

 

[zona322]

both of the top ones that go across the tank. they are not there any more.
as for a pic i will try to get one. draining the tank down a little.
craig

 

[zona322]

some pics tanks is 1/2 full and not bowing at all.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/BuhgzaCW/DSCF3388.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/BuhgzaCW/DSCF3389.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/BuhgzaCW/DSCF3390.jpg

 

[noelskii]

HOW did they break? :scratchch

 

[zona322]

i started to do a water change i turned around and the glass fell in the tank the tank is about 9 years old. i could not tell you how it happened
craig

 

[pecan2phat]

I can't see the pics at work but based on your description, you should drain 50% of the water, get or borrow those long ratcheting clamps, clean the old silicone off with a razor and re-silicone the glass braces back in the same spots. You would need to let the silicone cure for 24 hrs with the clamps attached.

 

[jrobbins]

Plexi wont hold.

 

[zona322]

the braces are plastic i am thinking of butting pix in its place. would silicone be good to put them back in with.
craig

 

[zona322]

and how wide should i make the new ones?

 

[2slo4me]

Call AGA from what i remember they sell those plastic braces seperately... and you can resilicone em back on.. good luck!!

 

[2slo4me]

heres there number 414-421-9670

 

[zona322]

thanks will give them a call
craig

 

[zona322]

thanks everyone for all the help just got off the phone with aga. so i am going to go with some of the ideas on here witch is about the same thing they told me. so thanks again for all the help.
craig

 

[pecan2phat]

So I thought you had glass braces but after I got home and saw the pics, you basically need to remove and replace the top trim. Lot of work, I would consider replacing the tank since it looks like an in-wall setup and you have no room to place clamps from front to back.

 

[duke62]

just curious,but it looks like the wood is going around the front and sides of tank.if he adds a piece of wood in the back wont that keep the tank from bowing.supporting the tank with the wood on the outside of the tank?

 

[zona322]

i can get to the both sides of the tank the top comes out. and yous they are plastic i am going to put 1inch thick plex were the old ones were. and glue the old owns back in on top of it. i called aga and they said i could get a new ring witch is 150 shipped to my house or i could make my own. there was only .5 inch of bow in the tank when it was full. so i think i should be good when i put the new braces in. thanks for all the help.
craig

 

[KathyC]

I had a tank (FW) do this once, I replaced the entire top frame and slept well at night 250g is a lot of water...

Curious...do all of you think that simply siliconing the old (or new) bracing back into place is actually going to hold it together? Hate to be such a pessimist, but I thought the usual suggestion when replacing a broken center brace was to screw the piece into place?