MY TANK BROKE!!!!!

N

native

AC Members
Sep 11, 2004
47
0
0
OK i have a thirty gallon long tank. the thing is the middle plastic piece broke!!!
I didn't sweat it and I siliconed it together. I put teverything back once it cured. A few days ago I see that everythign came down into the water. Ironically enough i found that the strip light was working underwater. I take everything out and I cray glue the middle plastic strip. I leave the stip light outside on an angle (so ther was no weight on the middle strip, and now the light doesnt work.
The middle strip is the weight bearing strip in the middle of the tank. My question now is what should I do? I was thinking of making my own hood, but i've never done it before. The tank was cycling and the cycle fish are fine as of right now. Does anyone know if the mid strip can be saved or should i frankenstein my own hood, or just by another one. either way it can't put pressure on the center strip. please give me some advice
 
If i were you i would empty out the tank until you can fix the problem. The center brace is the brace that holds the front and the back glass together to prevent it from bowing. Without it you can have the tank crack or have a seam bust and have water all over the place. What you can do is either make your own center brace (few have done that.. not pretty but hey it works) make sure you use something stronger than crazy glue or silicone. Or another option is to buy a new center brace. Hopefully someone can provide some links to places that sell the center braces..
 
If this is a stanard 30, I had one that had the center brace cut out of it. I operated the tank for 3 or 4 years until I sold it with no leaks. The center brace is definitely important(since they even add it), but I'd say it only *starts* being important with a 30g, so my point is, there isn't as much stress on the 30g as there is on a 45, 55, 60...

However, on the other end, I had a 37g tank(same footprint as the 30g, just a little taller). I cut the center brace out of that and within a few months it's started leaking and without the center brace, could not be repaired.
 
My thoughts are:

How did it break? If it simply snapped without anyone doing anything to it, then there is enough pressure on the glass to break the silicone seal and your tank will leak.

If somebody cut it, pushed on it, or anything at all, then *if it were me* I wouldn't worry about it.

However, because it's not me, I suggest replacing it.


Why the dichotomy? Who knows.
 
LOL..thats hilarious!!!
ok...my tank got invested with black worms that died during a water change. Yes a failed attempt at a biosphere.
So i poured the whole thing out and i tried to pick up the thing by the center brace..and it broke off...my mistake and my foul....in my mind i somehow thought it was strong enough...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom