120 Gallon, Will it hold?

[paradigmcubed]

I posted earlier about filtering for my 120 gallon fish tank. At that moment I had never actually seen the tank because I'm getting from a friend. I finally saw it yesterday and I noticed something a bit odd. The tank has no middle bar, or plastic, whatever that usually braces tanks. The tank is only being held together by Silicone, though the glass is 1/2 inch thick if it makes a difference. Its a nice tank though it hasn't been used since '93, but they've kept water in it a few days to make sure there aren't leaks and there aren't. Anyways I'm nervous it may pop open, are my concerns valid, can I do anything to alleviate them?

Thanks

[125gJoe]

Wow...

Seems like there would be a 'center brace' at the top!

:confused:

[serjuanca888]

You could build a frame out of 1X2's to go around the top and put a brace on it.

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by serjuanca888
You could build ...... I still wonder why it has no center brace. Wood "gives" after time, so I'm not sure that would be safe to use.

Hope someone has more comments.. I think this is a serious safety question here.

[TomFromStLouis]

Are there any signs that there once was a brace? Is there a perimeter support at all? Any sign of previously siliconed glass cross pieces? What are the tank dimensions?

Half inch glass is hefty, but it just seems that anything 4' long or more ought to have a cross piece helping out Can you tell what brand the tank is and looka t their website for a picture of what it should look like? Did your friend use it as is?

I would be extra cautious and leery until I knew the answer to most of these questions. Nobody, ever, wants to wake up to 120g on the floor.

[paradigmcubed]

There are no signs of a perimeter, or a glass crossbeam. It is 45 inchesx 33 inches x 18 inches. The silicone is literally the only thing holding it together.

[slipknottin]

1/2" glass will hold fine with a good silicone.

[paradigmcubed]

Can this silicone still be considered good after 7 years and you wouldn't make a cross beam?

Thanks

[slipknottin]

If it never had a cross beam I see no reason why you should attempt to add one now.

Silicone can last 25 years+.

[demon_surfer]

it is my understanding that none of the older tanks had a cross beam. plus if the silicon goes anyway what good woul and extra support help?? the cross beams are only supposed to stop the tank bowing. they probably only started using them so they could uses cheaper thiner glass. if you are worried about the silicon then buy a tube of it and go over the insides carefully (or better yet get a handyman or whatever who knows what he is doing to do it) that will reinforce it some. but like other said there is no reason why it should fall apart, particularly since its 1/2 inch thick only the truely huge tanks use glass that thick anymore

[GDominy]

Originally posted by demon_surfer
.... particularly since its 1/2 inch thick only the truely huge tanks use glass that thick anymore

My 135 Gallon is made from 5/8 thick glass, its still fairly common to see tanks using thicker glass. Mine would have been .5 inch standard, but I use a "lot" of rockwork so I paid the $25 more to have it made from thicker glass.

[paradigmcubed]

Does yours have a center brace?

[fishbrain]

I had a 55 with a broken center brace,my tank bowed out so much I thoughjt it would explode. I junked the tank,why take a chance.

[tricksterpup]

Actually if you go to your local fish store, they should be able to order you the top frame part for your tank and you can replace it yourself. My old roommate got a 55 gal tank like that and replaced the top. I now have it, and its been fine after 6 years of being replaced. It is one of my top show tanks in the living room.

jim

[somefinnfishy]

I have a 80xxt 48x36x12 with no rim or brace 5/8 glass it will not bow even full and pulling out on both sheets of glass (testing outside;) ).To rim it I would order a 75Gallon Bottom(no brace) rim for a 75 from allglass cut in 1/2 and install front top and back top just find some plastic to take up the foot missing on each side but this will hold your corners together and look better than any DIY.Tip for rims go to goodwill or G sale and get old plastic framed pictures and use the frames for rim trim.
allso take the time to resael it I do all my used tanks leakers or not will take one tube of silicone.The siicone you use make a diff no matter what others say here there is no substitute for AGA silicone any other brand is thin and messy and dont adhere to glass as well.IMEO:p

[tnlguinn]

i have a AGA 135 gallon show tank with 1/2" glass that was manufactured on march 19, 1990 that has no center brace. its pretty common for "show" tanks to now have a center brace. it impedes light therefore they dont use it and use heavier glass. mine is fine. dont worry about it. good luck with the tank.