best way to fix a center brace on a tank

[mockranouse]

The center brace on my 45 gallon has been broken for a while and i'm trying to figure out the best way to make a brace for it that doesn't look too bad. I'm currently using a 2x4 with a couple of pieces of wood screwed into the ends of it and it's placed in the center of the tank and it's working fine, but it's just really ugly. I'm thinking about welding something similar to what I have now but a lot smaller and a lot better looking, but I'm concerned about what kind of metal to use because I'm worried about possible corrosion, does anyone have any ideas about what I could do?

 

[backdraft79]

When I broke the brace on my 55 I went out and got a new tank. Then on the broken one I got a new plastic piece and siliconed it on. Good as new.

 

[superkat]

pretty much any metal is going to rust...built our back deck with stainless steel...about 5 years ago...no rust yet...

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

What sorta brace was there to begin with? Glass? Or was it one of those tanks with a molded plastic top that has a built-in brace?

Either way, I'd consider replacing like for like, or by default, use a wide glass brace.

Is the tank currently full?

 

[johnd651]

my post never showed from the morning...

but if you search around there is a thread about replacing the brace, and some ppl have used epoxy to reinforce the brace, others have used 1/4" glass with about 1/16" space on both edges the width of the tank to replace the broken brace. if you silicone it in place, and make sure the edges are smooth it will work well. only thing is it must be done on an empty tank

From other thread (not my pic):
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1812179

 

[ggdowski]

Actually... not true.
I just replaced my brace on my 45G bow front about a month ago.
I used acrylic with a number of non-metalic screws. I'll try to shoot a picture tonight. I'm running out to FL tomorrow for a conference.

Get yourself some large clamps at homedepot and use them to put the tank in the right position when you install the brace. I did this with the tank nearly full. I had the clamps on hand... and was lucky because when the brace broke I though the bowfront tank was simply going to explode. So I was able to brace in place and give myself some time for the repair.

 

[mockranouse]

The tank is currently full and I really don't want to have to empty it just to fix it, I would rather leave it as is than risk anything happening by taking everything out

 

[aww_419]

I used weld on #3 i believe? I have some around here somewhere I can try and find it. I got a peice of plexiglass about 1/4thickx4"x11 1/2" and used the weld on to glue it like a bridge on the tank right above where the original center bracket is. I recently had a change of heart and wanted to place it higher and this thing wont budge. The weld on actually chemically melts the to pieces of plastic together instead of glueing. so its pretty tough.

 

[luisgo]

I repaired mine two weeks ago and it is working perfectly. All was done with the water in the tank. For me to empty the tank was not an alternative.

This is how it looked before the repair



Next we used a clamp to adjust the glass to where it was supposed to be. The center bracket was in the original position. Then holes were made to tie the bracket with cable ties.



Then we used Perma Poxy 5 minute plastic weld.



A piece made of Lexan a very hard plastic material was constructed and screws were used at the ends. All was covered with wood formica. Some plastic weld was used to secure the piece to the tank.



The clamp was loosed the next day and it is holding very well. Very important is that it looks nice :dance:

 

[mockranouse]

Does anyone know of anywhere local where I can get weld-on or some other kind of plastic epoxy? Everything I've found online says that I would have to order it from somewhere

 

[aww_419]

great lakes plastics on broadway in cheektowaga its about 12 bucks. youll also need a syringe which have several I can give you one i live very near GLP