Center brace cracking!

Jeff120 · Post by **Jeff120** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 12:19 am

After a water change this evening and a fellows thread on TPT, I checked the center brace on my 55 and found the following!

I have an email into all-glass. This tank is only about a year and a half to 2 years old. The other side is showing a small white stress area in the same spot. It seems like there is a good bit still holding it on there but living in a 2nd floor apartment I am a little nervous! How long do you think it will last like that? Does renters insurance cover water damage? I am going to have to replace the rim or the tank. Anyone have experience with this. Maybe time just start building a stand for a 75!

Disapointed in All-glass that is for sure

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 6:40 am

That definitely sucks man. I wonder if you could lower the water level some and glue a support underneath?

SCMurphy · Post by **SCMurphy** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:03 am

The 75 I got from Dr. Gilly has a broken center brace. I tried to repair the brace itself, turned into a waste of time. I ended up buying a piece of 3/8 inch glass 3 inches wide. I siliconed it to the front and back glass panels and to the brace itself. No problems since, it has held firm. I think the glass on a 55 is thinner than on a 75 so you might want to do something quick, I don't think it will take the bowing like the 75 did when my initial brace repair gave out.

Jeff120 · Post by **Jeff120** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:19 am

Its not bowing any yet. That is what I was thinking Aaron, lower the level and cut a peice of plexie the same size as the brace and glue it in place. Or at least to the front area.

SCMurphy · Post by **SCMurphy** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 11:25 am

What I meant was, if the brace does snap, I don't think the glass on a 55 will take the stress.

Jeff120 · Post by **Jeff120** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 11:59 am

SCMurphy wrote:What I meant was, if the brace does snap, I don't think the glass on a 55 will take the stress.

Yes, at least not for very long, I was thinking the same that is why I want to get it fixed, do you guys think a 1/4 peice of plexi would help, at just the front section or under the entire brace or should I just replace the top frame? Lower the level maybe half, I'll see if that crack closes then gorilla glue the plexi in place.

Cristy Keister · Post by **Cristy Keister** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 1:50 pm

Jim over at Scales showed me how to remove a frame "in 5 minutes." The pain of it is having to empty your tank first.

Ghazanfar Ghori · Post by **Ghazanfar Ghori** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 4:00 pm

How do you remove a frame in 5 mins? I need to see this demo!

Cristy Keister · Post by **Cristy Keister** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 4:46 pm

You need a very sharp and sturdy knife. Run the knife between the frame and glass to cut the silicone bond all the way around the tank. Cut through all 4 corners of the frame just on the outside of the tank. Then pry away the frame, but don't use a screwdriver or you could crack the tank. If you have cut the silicone well the frame should come off without too much effort. Watch out for glass slivers in the silicone - I sliced myself a couple times.

Jeff120 · Post by **Jeff120** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 5:09 pm

Can you leave the substrate in the tank to do this? It would be supported with the bottom frame fairly well I would think. I would think a dremel tool would work well too. Thanks for the step by step Cristy

Center brace cracking!

Center brace cracking!

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