How to remove the center brace on a glass tank?

[Elite]

I need to move it to another spot. I can't seem to take it off. Any tip??

Already tried the hammer ..

 

[crazzyreefer]

Mine melted due to the 2 Mh bulbs I add and the heat started to crack the tank lip it fianaly melted the brace into the tank, so I cut it with a grinder, took all of 2 minuts and didnt pull any water or anything, so now a have a 72 bow without a euro brace, this has been ok since january, so it looks like it will hold. They dont call me crazzy for nothing...

 

[Elite]

I have a glass center brace not plastic. This is for a sump so the water level in there is not that high plus the baffle will help holding the tank together too.

So nobody know how to remove it???

 

[pepe.king.prawn]

Take a knife and cut the silicone... it's a huge pain, but that's how I removed it... well.. what was left from the broken center brace. It may not be possible to do it with a knife though if there's an entire brace there, might not be able to fit it in where you need to cut. Good luck.

 

[Skorpinok]

Phong,

Have you tried using a utility knife? I used a blade from my utility knife to cut away the silicone when I had to re-do the baffles on my DIY sump.

Not to rain down on pepe.king.prawn's parade - knife won't really work - I know, I've tried it. The blade on the knife is a little thick. You'll need to have that thin blade to go all the way in between the two glasses.

Just adding 2 cents... and sorry Tristan for commenting about the knife.

 

[Elite]

I tried but the gap is really small. The utility knife is too thick to get inside the gap.

So what is the safe way to break the center brace without breaking the tank?? Any idea guys?? I got my hammer ready ..

 

[pepe.king.prawn]

put some ice packs one outside edges of the glass brace and take a blow torch and heat the center of the brace until it cracks. Personally, I would not hit it with a hammer. I'd be scared to break the front or back panel, the silicone is that strong.

 

[fat walrus]

i did it by just jamming away with a single edge razer blade(actually a whole box of blades). took forever, but it got there.

 

[Elite]

I got it.. After 2 hours trying to remove the silicone unsuccessful, I used the hammer and gave it a good wack and the piece broke ... It's pretty easy after that.
Thanks Guys

 

[Ti]

Good job!

 

[Vincerama2]

Oh, you did it already! I was going to suggest scoring the glass with a glass cutter. You could just tap at the scored area until it broke along the line...

Elite...you've got some guts!

V

 

[Elite]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7466396#post7466396 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Vincerama2
Oh, you did it already! I was going to suggest scoring the glass with a glass cutter. You could just tap at the scored area until it broke along the line...

Elite...you've got some guts!

V

I wish I have a glass cutter. I shoulda bought one when they had it onsale on HSN ..


No, it's called p*** off :lol: ...

 

[Vincerama2]

Just for future reference, I meant a glass cutter like this
http://www.artstuff.net/glass_cutter.htm

Generally $5 or less... no need to go to the HSN!
The scoring part is a sharp wheel, you just score the glass, flip it over and tap the ball part on the glass and it just magically breaks along the scoring. (Yes, I know you can't flip the brace over!)

Just as a point of interest, I've read that you can actually cut glass ... with scissor if the glass is underwater!!

http://www.spectrumglass.com/Library/ScoreArticles/NoFishStory.html

Glad you solved the problem already though!

V

 

[Elite]

The one on HSN was pretty cheap and it can cut up to 1/2" glass. You can make a prefect circle with it. It's really cool. I'm going to get it soon or later.

The glass cutting under water is really interest. Can I borrow you scissor?? :lol: