View Full Version : 100 gallon dilema
V4NiLL4KiLL4
03-25-2007, 5:12 PM
Ok, so I recently got a used 5' 100g tank, but the middle piece of glass was missing. Although there was two glass panels running the width of the tank on each end. Talked to some people at the fish store and he said it would be cheaper just to purchase a brand new tank then to either a) Buy the glass and silicone it in or b) Always worry about the tank spliting in half because there isn't anything in the middle. Here are my questions:
1. Do I need the middle piece
2. Would it be easier to buy a new tank
3. Can I trust my craftsmanship to silicone the piece in myself (no experience)
Tank is going in the garage by the way.
me_wee_todded
03-25-2007, 5:29 PM
you said yourself you dont have any experience silconing.
personally i wouldnt trust myself.
i take it that pic is from the top view. I would just silicon it. how could one piece of glass plus some silicon be cheaper than getting a whole new tank? Sounds like the LFS dude was trying to make a sale. Silicon isn't exactly rocket science. Its just like glue.
Bderick67
03-25-2007, 8:22 PM
This is a pretty easy fix. Get the glass cut to right size. go to Home deopot and buy some food grade silicone and four spring loaded clamps. put the silicone on the glass and clamp into place. Let sit for a week then remove clamps and test. Should end up costing about 30 bucks.
BTW silicone cures in 24 hours but optimum holding strength in 7 days.
I agree if you get the right thickness of glass and cut it to the right size should be an easy fix. You would be amazed at what you can acomplish if you just have a little confidence in yourself.
V4NiLL4KiLL4
03-25-2007, 10:04 PM
ok, thanks. Is there any particular brand of silicone I should, or a brand you would recommemd. How thick should this glass be?
chico3611
03-25-2007, 10:37 PM
look for a used tank and save yourself all the headaches.
cwells
03-26-2007, 4:34 PM
Don't know if I would do it myself.. 100 Gal. of water makes a BIG mess.
This is a pretty easy fix. Get the glass cut to right size. go to Home deopot and buy some food grade silicone and four spring loaded clamps. put the silicone on the glass and clamp into place. Let sit for a week then remove clamps and test. Should end up costing about 30 bucks.
BTW silicone cures in 24 hours but optimum holding strength in 7 days.
X2
Lil_Stinker
03-26-2007, 10:41 PM
post a photo.
perhaps I will better understand ...
CHOMPERS
03-27-2007, 7:25 AM
In the land of ten gallon tanks, a 100g is huge. But in reality it isn't that big. Many are made without the middle brace. If yours has no trace of silicone there, it was made without one. If there is old silicone there, the thickness should match the thickness of the tanks glass.
Btw, if your tank has a plastic trim frame around the top without a cut out to allow for glass to glass contact, it does not need a brace. You only will need a piece of glass in the middle to support the lids. It will not need to be siliconed in.
V4NiLL4KiLL4
03-27-2007, 5:32 PM
The previous owner had this tank running with the glass center brace, but took it out to add another h.o.b filter, it has trim, but I still think it may need that piece but I by no means am an expert. So do you think if I buy a piece to fit in there, silicone it, let it sit for 7 days, it will be good to go?
CHOMPERS
03-27-2007, 11:40 PM
Yep, your intuition is correct. If it had one before, you should replace it. Seven days will be more than plenty. I think it gains maximum strength in three days, but it won't hurt to wait longer. Also, the curing time varies with manufacturers so extra time is a wise thing to do.
Good luck and keep us posted.