Replace/REpiar Tank cross brace?

[cabrego]

Hey all, I was wondering what i can do to repair/replace a cross brace for my 50g sump.

I purchased the tank used ($12) and the cross brace is broken, but it does hold water ok. The bracing that borders the tank is also questionable, it seems a bit on the loose side.

Should I replace the entire top bracing?

Where can I find replacement?

I know some people cut off their perfectly good brace to replace with clear acrylic. What are my options here?

 

[Vincerama2]

Is this a glass or acrylic tank?

If it's acrylic, you could probably just glue on a new cross brace.

Is this a glass tank with a black plastic rim and plastic brace? Maybe the original manufacturer can provide a new rim/brace. In that case you'd have to remove the old one (it's probably held on with silicon)

V

 

[markviiisvt4]

my old 55 gallon glass sump was the same way. I just pulled it off and put a few glass strips across, worked fine and the tank is now my buddys disply. Just sand the edges after cutting. i got nicked a few times before i did.

 

[cabrego]

yes this is a glass tank. I am in the process of trying to track down a frame for this size tank.

It is 48x12 i believe.

How exactly do you attach glass strips? Any pics by chance?

 

[Vincerama2]

Use aquarium silicon (available pretty much everywhere, look at HD or Lowes or whatever hardware store) to connect glass to glass. Make sure you clean the glass with isopropyl alcohol first, to get any fingerprint oil off it.

If you look at glass tanks, you'll see that even without the supporting plastic trim, it's "Glued" together with silicon.

V

 

[Vincerama2]

Oh, if you are good with acrylic, I'm sure you could make up a frame. Maybe wood too?

V

 

[Recty]

I use a 55 gallon as a sump, the center brace is totally missing and I havent had any problems with it. It was used successfully without the center bracing for 3 years as a display tank for someone else before I got it.

Not saying that you dont want a center brace, but dont worry about having to make something really really really sturdy that can hold the weight of an elephant., as the tanks seems to do just fine without it. I think it might be there more for when the tank is being moved and being subjected to lateral forces?

 

[The0wn4g3]

If you use silicon, use the GE Lexan Silicon. It's with the acrylic sheets in HD. MUCH better adhesion than any "aquarium" silicon I've ever used.

Removal of a center brace and whether it's dangerous or not is going to depend on the depth of the tank. More depth = more pressure. Since out are only using it as a sump, and I'm assuming it won't be filled completely, it will probably be fine without a center brace. BUT, it wouldn't take more than an hour to DIY a nice acrylic or glass brace.

 

[cabrego]

Yes thanks for the replies. The tank seems ok with out the brace, it holds water, however ther eis noticeable displacement of the side glass panes.

I do not want to risk not using a brace and it he seems fail due to stress.

I do realzie how tank are glued together, I just dont understand where exactly the glass strips will adhear to the tank.

 

[Vincerama2]

When I bought my Oceanic 58g tank, there was a 65g AGA tank next to it. (same company). The AGA was actually cheaper and had a more offset overflow BUT, the 58 didn't have a brace and the 65 did... so I bought the more expensive, lower volume 58!

V

 

[The0wn4g3]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13117112#post13117112 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Vincerama2
When I bought my Oceanic 58g tank, there was a 65g AGA tank next to it. (same company). The AGA was actually cheaper and had a more offset overflow BUT, the 58 didn't have a brace and the 65 did... so I bought the more expensive, lower volume 58!

V

I would have done the same, I like 58's better than 65's.
I would think the easier fix would be to get some 1/4 " acrylic and make a type of bracket. Sort of a |_____| shape (flipped upside-down), and fit it over the top of the tank. Of course, measure the width of the tank empty and make the bracket that wide, also.
Or if the rim comes off, you could silicon a piece of glass.