Uncured silicone v reef

[Randrew215]

I want to silicone cross-braces into place to fortify my tank. I was planning on turning off the return and draining the water level a couple of inches to do this. How concerned should I be about the effects of the fumes or actual contact with water during this process? This is a must-do project. I appreciate the input.
Andy

 

[captain7359]

you've already worried too much. Go for it, but with the higher humidity inthe area it will take a bit longer to cure, so you may want to keep any temporary bracing (clamps, ect.) in place for a few extra days. WHere are you placing the braces that they may contact the silicone, or are you just concerned with splashing?

 

[Randrew215]

I had two glass cross-braces 3" wide that split my 72" 125 gallon tank into thirds (so, placed at two feet and four feet). The silicone on one of the braces gave way. I couldn't appreciate more than about 1/4" of bowing, but I used two two by fours and some quick grips to reduce the bowing and temporarily brace it. I'm going to replace the brace and add two more that will lie directly underneath the originals, but will sit underneath the partial eurobracing, which will greatly increase the contact area and let me sleep peacefully at night. I'll try to take pictures so this makes more sense. I'm going to keep the temporary braces in place for an extra two weeks as I only lose the aesthetics for that time period.

 

[SkiFletch]

I'm with ya, you don't want to understate the forces involved with 1000+lbs of seawater water, rocks and fish.

 

[Randrew215]

I just wanted to update this thread. I replaced the glass center braces on my 125 and doubled them up with an extra brace underneath each for increased surface area contact. I drained the tank down about two inches below where the silicone would be and braced the tank with 2x4s and vice grips before removing the original bracing. My big concern was with the effect of the uncured silicone on the tank. I used RTV-108. I left the tank drained down like that for about 30 hours, then turned the return pump back on. It was definitely not fully cured so I left it externally braced with 2x4s for about two weeks. I can report that I noticed no ill effects from the silicone. No change in pH, no cyano, no change in behavior from fish or coral.
I can say that I stopped having the recurring dream that I'm trying to hold my tank together as it bows out and then flops around like an iris from a flo-max patient before it explodes water all over my apartment. So...there's that.

 

[Randrew215]

Double post

 

[SkiFletch]

Nice work on the brace repair. I replaced mine with stainless steel and feel a lot better too