Repairing/Replacing a Tanks Broken Center Brace
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- čas přidán 2. 02. 2018
- Free tanks are always nice, but sometimes they do come at a price.
This 55 gallon originally built in 1983 has sure been through some rough times, but restoring it to usable condition has been fun.
As an added bonus I get to show you how I did it.
This is just what I needed - thank you for the helpful information :)
*Thank you for this great diy video~I tried checking several shops on the internet that has frames with center braces, but they did not have a frame for my apparently unusual aquarium dimensions (37 gallon tall, 30x12x22) I woke up to seeing my tank bowing out at a VERY scary configuration...had to put my fish in my other two aquariums (20 gallon long breeder and 30 gallon bowfront) and drain the water quickly before my living room became a pool. Talk about anxiety! I have an old 10 gallon I'm going to sacrifice to do this center brace. That silicone straight up smells awful, like the stinkiest vinegar you ever smelled,lol, but it works wonderfully. Thank you for your video!!!*
You are the man! I've been wondering how I was going to fix this problem and make it look good and that is perfect!
Yup, this is what I'll be doing! I was afraid that I wasn't going to find a vid that showed me how to fix this problem. Just picked up a tank that I thought was whole, but low and behold the stupid cross brace was missing (very misrepresented sale of a tank, glad I talked the guy down in price). My tank is just like the one you repaired here in this video. Didn't think to use glass for the cross brace! This is better than plastic AND will let in more light for my planted tank! Thank you, Sir!
Thanks for the tip. Now I'm going to have to find some glass.
Excellent repair and very practical 👍🏼👍🏼
This is the best example I have seen to address this problem so far. Thanks so much for sharing! I have a 75 gal. and by mistake slightly leaned on it while cleaning it out. Why do they make it with plastic, instead of something stronger? I barely leaned on it and it just napped.
You are most welcome Shelia, I am glad to hear that I was able to help you with your problem.
Thank u soo much for this it was a great help
Great, simple idea. My one concern is the constant pressure on the silicone joints. Apparently it is strong enough to resiste pulling apart? I'm writing this roughly two years after you made the repair. Are you still happy with it?
ty for this video... i recently purchased a 180 gallon oceanic 6 feet by 2 by 2 but it didnt come with a brace now i know how to add a brace much obliged
Nice cap 👍🏼
Just found a 55 gallon . I just need to fix this same thing and hell yeah
New here just subbed.
🖖
I have a center brace on my 150 gallon, would that be enough to hold that tank together or should I change the black trim for a different black trim that has extra trims going across ? Thank you very much !
What kind of glass cutter do you use? Looks different than the wheel style I’m used to.
Two questions...
What grit sand paper do you use on the glass?
My next question is, I bought a old used 100g tank that appears to have never had a factory center brace... The plastic top ring is completely smooth and bracless. The glass is 1/2" thick, but also 6' long. Should I glue a brace in it just in case? Or will it be fine without?
personaly i would brace it! it sure wont hurt anything!!!!!!
Do you have to use glass?
What minimum thickness for the glass would you recommend for a 60 gallon (48 long x 12 deep)?
I found two aquariums the first one I resealed it and im in the process of putting a glass brace the second tank has a bottom that's cracked that's the only problem with it I will be taking it out and replacing the glass and also resealing too both are 4 foot long tanks one is higher then the other
Where can you get a strip of glass in the dimensions like the one you used?
Just Ray, I tore apart another tank I found on the side of the road with a broken panel.
I got a bowfront aquarium with the same problem , how can i fix in this case ?
Illuminati approved 😆
What if the plastic is cracked and separating from one side will JB weld work?
Yes that has happened to me as well. Did the JB weld work for you ?
Update...
I have a 55 gal tank with NO top rim or corner bracing around it, how would I go about getting IT fixed where it won't have a
blow out?? I've watched a LOT of video on what you did but nothing on how to fix the corners.
Just use three pieces of glass like the one in this video
install one in the center as shown in this video and one at either end of the tank.
seal with silicone and allow to cure for several days before filling with water.
I was told that I could use a full piece of Plexiglas with the center cut to the size of the
tank would be better & put corner pieces "inside" the corners as well would hold it a lot better
what's your thought on this idea? it makes sense to me but I want your expertise on this being
you do this more than I have.
I just bought me some aluminum that goes JUST over the top of the glass JUST RIGHT,
as soon as I get the tank back I'll show what I'm talking about it is cut to go over the top &
on both in & outside the tank, like a 1/2 inch on both sides.
Thank you I watched many videos yours was the best.
I have a 33.5GL 48x13x13
I was resealing it and broke the center brace. Does it need a brace being so short?
No, a tank that short doesn't need the center brace to be structuraly sound.
However the brace will need to be there if you choose to use factory made lids.
Thanx for the quick response I was literally 5 mins from heading to home depot I can just cross the glass off my list.
Just saw your video because one of my center braces broke on the frame edge of my 180 gallon tank similar to what is shown in yours. Seems like a very logical repair. 180 gallon tank is too heavy and cumbersome to lay on edge as you’ve shown. If i do it in a regular standing position and clamp with a bar clamp will that work? Also can i do this repair if i drop some inches of water level and keep the Oscars i have in the tank? I don’t have anywhere else to put them in. Finally, my other brace cracked in the middle a few years ago. (Leaned on it and it cracked). Repaired it by tying two pieces with an aluminum ruler and stainless bolts. Is this the time to replace it as well? Got the tank used so i don’t know how old it is, but i’ve had it for12+ years. Thanks for your help.
What happens to the tank if you use it without the brace?
The glass will bow out and eventually crack. Tanks 3 feet and longer really should have braces.
I dont understand why murricans just dont use thick enough glass where it doesnt need theese plastic frames. Here in Europe we have thick glass tanks. Do you guys have some glass shortage in murrica or what?
What type of silicone are you using?
GE-I clear silicone