Tank brace needed?

[Kewlworm]

Hi all, first post here Great site BTW.

My tank (125 - 72" x 18" x 22" - bought used 4-5 yrs ago) has a frame, but no brace...actually the previous owner siliconed 2 braces and a glass together to hold things, which I am going to take out for better light penetration.

Do I need to get a new frame with braces? If I do, I might just as well get a new tank cause my tank has many scratches on it. Plus, my tank is still new, it would be easier to do it now than later.

Thanks!
KW

 

[Hoggn]

[welcome] not sure on the brace thing... I would be a little leary about taking it a part...

 

[Blown 346]

The brace is there to hold the tank together from seperating apart under pressure. I would leave it there. Glass bracing is better then plastic as light cant go thru plastic.

 

[Kewlworm]

Thanks for the welcome Hoggn!

The thing about my tank is that the frame and the braces are not one piece...they are glued to the frame with silicon. I am not sure if it's helping, but if it doesn't...I might as well take it off.

Does my tank needs the brace? Or it's there just in case the tank come apart?

Thanks!

 

[Blown 346]

The tank needs a brace to hold the seams together, without it the glass will bow out and could seperate from the silicone and you will have a whole tank of water, fish etc on your floor.

 

[bertoni]

Without knowing how the tank was built, it's hard to say. Some tanks need braces, others don't. If the tank originally had braces, and the previous owner replaced them, for example, you might be in trouble. In all honesty, I'd buy a new tank if there's any doubts. Tanks aren't cheap, but having one blow apart could be far more expensive.

 

[adnup]

I have an AGA 55 and tried to fix a broken center brace. The tank bowed at the top center, it scared me. So I ordered a new top trim from All Glass

 

[Kewlworm]

Adnup: where did you order your frame from? Do you have a website? I can't find it on AGA's web site. Thanks!

I don't think my tank was built with the brace because the frame doesn't look like it has one before. There are nothing wrong with it for the last 5 yrs that I had it, I am just worry because I saw a post that say braces are a must.

I will probably start looking for one to replace in a few months as in case. I should be ok by then right?