Just noticed this as I was painting the tank. I plan to super glue it but anything to be concerned about? It passed the 24 hour water test. Used tank.
Crack in middle of tank brace
- Thread starter Irecruitfish
- Start date
how big is the tank??...i had a similar issue with a used 150g tank that i recieved from a friend....the bigger the tank the higher the pressure that will could potentially cause the tank glass to bow out over time....i had a custom stainless steel centre brace welded for my piece of mind....it fits directly over the tank where my center brace was broken and its hidden by my canopy...the tank is only held by silicon so the centre brace is pretty important in keeping the tank together....you could be ok...or the tank could give out on you over time...
It's s 125 gallon tank. Do you think I would notice that bowing in time or would it happen fairly quickly?
I wouldn't be surprised if the person you bought it from got rid of it because of that.
I'd rebuild the top brace, or get rid of the tank. You wouldn't see it failing slowly, it would go from small crack to wet floor fast.
I'd rebuild the top brace, or get rid of the tank. You wouldn't see it failing slowly, it would go from small crack to wet floor fast.
Nope. The difference between no bowing and exploding is millimeters. You'll need to a straight edge or very carefully looking to be able to see it. It's not like you'll be able to walk past the tank one day and, "Oh, it's bowing, I better drain some water out..."
That could be it...but I was hoping this tank would work. I guess I never seen a braceless 125 but only on smaller tanks. Isn't there a way to help bond it together?
The top trim on a tank is a debatable subject depending on who you ask far as how much (if any) importance it adds to the structural integrity of a tank. I've read some things that say it it nothing more than a means to cover the sharp edges of the glass and just add a finished look to a tank. And I've read some people that say they feel it helps hold the tank together.
With that said as OCD as I am I say it's better to be safe than to be sorry. If it were me there's two options I would consider.
#1- drill a small 1/4" hole right at the end of the crack that is going out to towards the center of the tank. That will prevent any further splitting of the brace. Then use some 5 minute epoxy (stronger than superglue) and cover over the crack. Might be a good idea to even epoxy some sort of thin plate over it as well.
#2- Just replace the trim with a new one. I've replaced top trim on tanks before and it's not all that hard just a little time consuming. You can get a hold of a company called "over the edge" and get it for $43 for a 125g 6ft tank.
With that said as OCD as I am I say it's better to be safe than to be sorry. If it were me there's two options I would consider.
#1- drill a small 1/4" hole right at the end of the crack that is going out to towards the center of the tank. That will prevent any further splitting of the brace. Then use some 5 minute epoxy (stronger than superglue) and cover over the crack. Might be a good idea to even epoxy some sort of thin plate over it as well.
#2- Just replace the trim with a new one. I've replaced top trim on tanks before and it's not all that hard just a little time consuming. You can get a hold of a company called "over the edge" and get it for $43 for a 125g 6ft tank.
If the center brace is actually structural it will be stiff as a board when the tank is full with very little give. If it is very springy then it isn't structural. For instance the center braces on aqueon's 55 gallon tanks are just for looks.