I Trimmed the Center Brace, now my tank's bowing!!

taznut

taznut

Active Member
i have seen dyi tanks that have used some type of wire drilled into the top of the tank and run across the tank... idk if this would work for the glass... maybe you could try and drill the front and back plasic braces and wire these together??? not sure on this so wait for more replies to decide...
 
woody189

woody189

Member
I really appreciate the input. I'm not sure exactly what I'm gonna do yet though.
This is a pic I found on the web of what i had in mind, just not nearly as thick. I'll keep you posted and let you know about my results.
REN... I agree. I really don't understand. IT's not like the remaining brace snapped or anything.
 
culp

culp

Active Member
they really need to put a tag or some thing on those center braces saying do not remove or cut.
 
woody189

woody189

Member
Here's what I did.
Now I can see why it was bowing even though the brace was in tact. You can see how much I had the push the tank forward in the 2nd pic.
Before I go cutting away again, do you think I'd be alright cutting the old brace? JUst the center part so it's not bending into the water, of course I would leave the ends. Or should I just leave it alone.

 
woody189

woody189

Member
The top doesn't fit as perfectly as it used to, but it's WAY better.
Do you think I'll be alright now? Even though the glass isn't EXACTLY the same shape, it can't bow any further, so I should be alright, right?
 
woody189

woody189

Member
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3018092
WOW...SO you went with the plastic screw idea? Does it seem sturdy?
it seems pretty damn sturdy actually. much stronger than the original brace.
My only concern is that it's not exactly the same as it used to be. You can see the little gap here.
Also, I wasn't able to push the back in to make it flat. I hurt my hand yesterday, so it was kinda tough.

 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Well my tank that the brace broke is a 55g rectangle...so it should be easier ...IF I ever fix it...I just ran out and bought a new one and transfered my FW fish into it...Fixing the old one is possibly for a later date...
 
king_neptune

king_neptune

Active Member
Thankyou for this thread, I am in the predicimant where I will ahve to add a pair of top braces to my 125brick. This gives me food for thought.
 
woody189

woody189

Member
Originally Posted by jackri
http:///forum/post/3018205
That would just scare the hell out of me.
Good luck and roll your pants just in case

Thanks. I'll wear my galoshas.
Originally Posted by King_Neptune
http:///forum/post/3018542
Thankyou for this thread, I am in the predicimant where I will ahve to add a pair of top braces to my 125brick. This gives me food for thought.
I drilled holes for 1/4 inch nylon screws, then used a 1/2 inch forstner bit so the head of the screw would be flush w/ the top of the plexiglass. Otherwise, the head of the screw would be sticking out the top and the glass would be uneven.
Just be sure that you don't go all the way through w/ the frostner. You can see what I mean in the pics.
 
king_neptune

king_neptune

Active Member
Originally Posted by woody189
http:///forum/post/3019083
Thanks. I'll wear my galoshas.
I drilled holes for 1/4 inch nylon screws, then used a 1/2 inch forstner bit so the head of the screw would be flush w/ the top of the plexiglass. Otherwise, the head of the screw would be sticking out the top and the glass would be uneven.
Just be sure that you don't go all the way through w/ the frostner. You can see what I mean in the pics.

I bought some marine underwater plastic epoxy weld and a trio of 6" wide 1/4" acrylic peices. I will place them on top of the tank evenly spaced, heat them, fold the peices over the top to make a flap. Then I will glue them in place via the plastic bonder.
 
E

eric b 125

Guest
it looks like you have things under control. i'm so anal about things that i'm going to suggest contacting the manufacturer to see if you can order a factory trim piece. personally, i would worry constantly about my workmanship until i replaced it with something from the factory. JMO.
 
gooch

gooch

Member
I had a similar situation a couple of months ago.
I have a 72g bowfront that I broke the center brace while cleaning the tank out when I first got it. I didnt think anything of it and superglued it back together thinking that it basically was only there to hold the tops on. Well as I filled up the tank I noticed the center brace really stressing and then the next morning it snapped and there was almost an inch gap between the brace.
I ended up draining the tank till it pulled back in and ordered a whole new top trim. It was a total pain to get the broken top off but once I did I cleaned the old silicone off and re-siliconed the new top on and it's been fine since.
 
woody189

woody189

Member
Originally Posted by Gooch
http:///forum/post/3021337
I had a similar situation a couple of months ago.
I have a 72g bowfront that I broke the center brace while cleaning the tank out when I first got it. I didnt think anything of it and superglued it back together thinking that it basically was only there to hold the tops on. Well as I filled up the tank I noticed the center brace really stressing and then the next morning it snapped and there was almost an inch gap between the brace.
I ended up draining the tank till it pulled back in and ordered a whole new top trim. It was a total pain to get the broken top off but once I did I cleaned the old silicone off and re-siliconed the new top on and it's been fine since.
Glad it worked out for you... Where did you find the top, and how much did you pay if you don't mind me asking
 
gooch

gooch

Member
Originally Posted by woody189
http:///forum/post/3021641
Glad it worked out for you... Where did you find the top, and how much did you pay if you don't mind me asking
Asked a local fish store to order one. Supposedly after a reef club discount it ended up being 55 dollars. I am not so sure it was much of a deal though. There is a place that builds aquariums called glass cages and they sell them fairly cheap but they didnt have ones for bowfront tanks.
My tank leaks currently though so in hindsight I wish I never bothered to fix it and I put the money towards a new tank.
 
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