Cracked Black Plastic Frame - Problem?

[gkugelman]

A friend gave me a 55 gallon tank just recently, and the plastic frame is cracked (enough so that it is almost falling off on the bottom). All the seals on the corners look good, and the glass itself is in good shape. Does the black plastic help maintain the integrity of the tank? Or is it just cosmetic? Should I avoid ever setting up this tank?

Thanks!

 

[Ocean Mang]

If it is on the bottom, imo, your fine. It is the top plastic frame that is most important to holding the tank together. Maybe someone else knows differently, but I believe the bottom piece of glass connecting all four sides should be enough.

 

[gkugelman]

Hmm, that makes sense. The top frame has a split in it, but its not falling off like the bottom one is. But if the top one helps keep the whole thing together, (and thus 55 gallons of water off my floor) I'm thinking this is sounding less and less like a good idea!

 

[Bret61081]

ask a LFS....i believe they can order you a new one

 

[RicksReefs]

yup, bottom frame, no problem.
top frame is structurally important and needed on todays tanks.
a new should run about 20 bucks from any LFS.