Center Brace on 55 is Cracked (Problems?)

[lutz493]

Just went to do some measuring on my 55 and I noticed that the Center brace on the 55 is cracked where it connects to the front of the tank. 1/2 of the brace is still connected the other 1/2 isn't.
This a problem for me or something I do not need to worry about?

 

[lutz493]

Definately have water in the tank.
Its an old 55 I have had set-up little over a year I wanted to start messing with corals while I slowly set-up my 150.
If this is gonna be an issue I am going to have to replace the tank then hugh?
I guess luckily being a 55 gallon it wouldn't be expensive to replace.

 

[dburr]

Mine was cracked for awhile. Now it is my sump/refuge. I put in a partition and used glue to hold it in place so I guess that it's still safe. The brace is now almost broken completly. Oh well, as long as the glass is not bowing.

 

[dreeves]

Get a strip of 3/16 to 1/8 inch acrylic...heat and bend it into a slip on bracket/support...

 

[lutz493]

I went to my LFS today and found they sold the top support braces for All-Glass.
So for only $10 I got the whole top peice.
My question for you guys is, Can I keep water in the tank when I replace the top brace?
I was gonna take the tank down to about 50-60 % water then put on the new support brace peice (bought all-glass silicone) then wait 24 hours before I filled the tank back-up to full.
That gonna be ok or do I need to drain all the water and take all the rock fish out?
Thanks

 

[marvida]

I wouldn't remove the old top piece with water in the tank without first figuring out a way to shore up the tank so's nothing will move. Even with the center brace cracked 1/2 way through, it's still doing a job.

 

[dockery07]

we had a similar problem. I would go to a hardware store and get a furniture clamp that would pull the tank back together while you repaired it.
btw, our lights broke ours, but the lfs replaced it at no charge.

 

[lutz493]

Yeah, my Helios lights sit on the tank and I think that is what caused the crack on mine.
They are getting replaced this week though

 

[dockery07]

I used a furniture pipe clamp to hold the top in until we could get it replaced. I'm assuming the tank isn't able to take the lateral pressure.
you might pick one up for insurance, until the tank can be repaired/replaced

 

[lutz493]

I got 200lbs of sand in there.
Can I leave the sand in atleast if I drain the water down to the sand?
Trying to save myself a mess.

 

[dockery07]

Should be able to leave the sand. The pressure should decrease the less lower the level of the water is. the maximum bow would be achived when the tank is the fullest.
When we completely emtied ours, the tank still bowed at the top. Either went like that to long before it was replaced, or was expecting the brace to keep it in, but my point is unless you intend to make your new brace longer than the original, I think you will still need a clamp.
Just my experience....