150 gal. tank...?

[ExPeNsIvE HoBbY]

That's a good point DangerDoll. Just because we perceive something happening in a particular order doesn't mean that one was the cause for the other. Those little plastic braces will break before a tank made of glass and silicone designed to hold back the pressure of water. But if the integrity of the seams was a hidden issue, this could easily cause the thin, weak, plastic brace to break.

Like I said before, I used to swear that the plastic was there for a reason, but the more I think about it, the more it makes sense that a well built tank should stay together under it's own merrets, without the help of cheap plastic.

 

[darkk]

The center brace *DID NOT BREAK*....It was cut out with a hack saw because it was used as a snake tank. The tank has a build sticker on it. Built in 1994 ,glass is about 3/8" thick. It appears to be a pretty sturdy tank. I was just curious if I should replace it.

 

[SubRosa]

Absolutely. You can order a new frame from the mfg through a dealer, but it would be cheaper, easier and better looking if you had a piece of glass of the same thickness as the tank 6" wide cut to fit the inside dimension. Clamp and silicone it in place. That's how Oceanic used to brace their tanks.

 

[toddhgr]

I would definetly reccomend replacing it. I had a 55 with a broken center brace. When I first got it I was told that I would need to replace it , but I didn't quite believe it. So I measured it empty, and then filled it on my front lawn. The flass bowed over 3/4 of an inch!!!!! Keep in mind that this was a 4 ft tank not a 6footer like yours. With the glass bowed like that it is already under a lot of stress and it's only a matter of time until one little bump pushes it too far and POP. If and when it does pop keep in mind that you will likely lose any and all livestock inside, lose the tank you just paid $75 for and have large shards of incredibly sharp glass flying around the room (if it was a person who provided that last bump this is going to hurt). Long story short I got an entire new top frame with center brace for less than $20, and I'm sure you could get one for maybe a little more. Well worth it!