Flimsy Brace

[fishorama]

I think dougall has it fine...the middle brace is often just to keep front to back bowing & hold up lights...but I haven't had a new tank in a gazillion years...

 

[NoodleCats]

Yeah thats to prevent bowing.

My 55g I got has a snapped brace, and terrifying finding out when I first filled it, it bowed and was a major break-risk.

I used a glass panel and aquarium silicone to reinforce the centerbrace.


I probably could have done a neater job, but it was a heck of a nightmare as I had transferred the fish and everything to it before realizing it so had to keep it only 1/4 way full for a few days to let the sealant cure fully and securely.

But it works.



I will say with your centerbrace, as long as it is not snapped and the tank doesn't bow when it's full, it's doing its job.
It's a matter of force being pulled against the brace where it needs to hold.

 

[Wyomingite]

Yeah thats to prevent bowing.

My 55g I got has a snapped brace, and terrifying finding out when I first filled it, it bowed and was a major break-risk.

I used a glass panel and aquarium silicone to reinforce the centerbrace.
View attachment 229294View attachment 229295

I probably could have done a neater job, but it was a heck of a nightmare as I had transferred the fish and everything to it before realizing it so had to keep it only 1/4 way full for a few days to let the sealant cure fully and securely.

But it works.



I will say with your centerbrace, as long as it is not snapped and the tank doesn't bow when it's full, it's doing its job.
It's a matter of force being pulled against the brace where it needs to hold.

I had a 55 and 90 that did the same thing. I never could get the 90 to hold well enough that I was comfortable. It always seemed to work it's way apart. The 55 did fine, but I used JBWeld top and bottom on the plastic brace to hold it together, and then used a glass panel and silicone like you did. I don't know if the JBWeld made any difference, but I JBWeld everything. If nothing else it gives me peace of mind.

WYite

 

[Sprinkle]

Yeaaahhh.... every one said already what has been said by me. The genius of 2021 ?

 

[NoodleCats]

Someone said it was a lid/light holder if I recall.


It's a weight support.

 

[Sprinkle]

Yeah, me.

 

[FreshyFresh]

From the look of the frames, it's a Marineland tank. There's usually a label on the bottom that gives the manufacturer. If there's a ship anchor on it, it's Marineland. Like said, that center brace is to help secure/stabilize glass tops and act like a strap to prevent bowing. They're really not meant to bear weight down on them. You'll be fine. Lighting has a tendency to break down the plastic there over time is the biggest risk.

Lots of repair options should you need to. I like the JB Weld idea or some type of epoxy adhesive like gorilla glue that requires water to harden.

 

[dougall]

Sitting here trying to work out why a 40B has no center brace, but a 65 does. And they both use exactly the same kid.

Gonna have to call shenanigans on it doing anything except preventing bowing.

?

 

[NoodleCats]

Sitting here trying to work out why a 40B has no center brace, but a 65 does. And they both use exactly the same kid.

Gonna have to call shenanigans on it doing anything except preventing bowing.

?

A 40b has a more sturdy shape than a longer 55g, less force against the glass in a shorter more compact tank, than a long and narrow and taller tank would have.

 

[dougall]

A 65 has the same footprint as a 40, not a 55.

Hence using the same glass lid.

There's only negligible difference in weight/pressure on the lid, do I am really not sure what you are saying?

The brace, vs the frame, has no bearing on the lid being supported whatsoever.

This is clearly all crazy talk.