View Full Version : Center brace on 125 gal has come apart on one side
I have a 125 gal natures view and just noticed that the center brace is only attached on one side. There is about a 1/2 in gap between the brace and the side of the tank on that side. Do you think that that can be repaired? I am about to remove the fish and drain the tank because its so bowed out in the front it is making me nervous. If anyone has repaired this before or has any idea how to go about doing it I would appreciate some advice. I am trying to figure out how i could clamp it back togethor and silicon it with out breaking the glass.
Thanks
rjl420
12-09-2002, 6:46 PM
you might want to ask slip in the DIY forum.
my friend has a 60 gallon tank that the center brace broke on, and we are STILL trying to fix it. it will last for a week with aquarium glue, but eventually comes loose again. so we are just using a brace to hold it together until he can get a new tank.
I'm afraid that with 125 gallons of water (water weighs about 8 pounds per gallon, so that's about 1000lbs) it is going to be too much pressure for any kind of glue/cement/sealant to hold. your best bet is to go to the hardware store and get some kind of clamp that you can live with long term because i wouldn't trust anything to hold over time.
sorry
Cichlid Woman
12-09-2002, 6:46 PM
Man, I'd be nervous too!
Experts on this stuff out there (which I am definitely not), is there a way he could half empty the tank and fix it?
-- Pat
I had that happen on a previously repaired 72 gallon. Repairing it was quite simple. After draining the bow in the tank should disappear. Simply remove all the old silicone and replace it. I was told that you should have some silicon between the brace and the side of the tank as well as silicone around the brace.
slipknottin
12-09-2002, 7:24 PM
what is your brace? glass or the ABS plastic brace?
Get yourself out to home depot ASAP and buy some bar clamps and some two-part epoxy (if its the plastic brace)
clamp the top with the bar clamp to keep it from bowing, then apply the two-part epoxy to the piece. Leave the clamp on for at least 24 hours then release it. The epoxy should hold the center brace together on its own.
Well the center brace is glass so I guess I am going to look for some clamps and try to silicone it back as suggested. Thanks for the replies and wish me luck.