125 without brace???

[James.Lafontaine]

I have an older 125 that’s 6 feet wide Without a brace? I bought it off a yard sale for $30 and it’s currently in my backyard waiting to be filled with water ( the owner said it didn’t leak) should I put a brace in the middle or should I not worry about it since it’s an older tank

 

[jeaninel]

Personally I would not use it without a brace. Does it look like at one time it did have a a glass brace?

 

[FJB]

If it is an older tank made without a brace, it could be that it is ok as is. Regardless, I would install a glass brace anyway (just glued), to help using with glass covers.
Test extensively outside....

 

[Jexnell]

I would inspect to see if it had a brace that was cut or broken off. Either way you should see if one was there. It could have been an older single brace model so check both for a single brace in the middle and dual brace at the 2 ft marks.

Also if thick enough glass may not need a brace so measure the glass thickness as well and the more educated people in that area will contribute.

 

[duanes]

Many of the older tanks are built with much thicker glass than used today, so are much stronger, and were built without a brace.
I bought a 150 gal back in the 80s built without a brace, I used it for almost 40 years, it never leaked, I gave it to another aquarist when I moved, who still has it up and running over 5years later.
That said, ... if you are nervous....there are clamps available to add insurance, available at home improvement stores.
I have a 180 that leaks because of the constant earth quakes here, and I've added two hardware store braces (clamps)
You can see both clamps in the pic below.

 

[deeda]

As others have said, check if someone removed the original brace and also see if the bottom has one or not.

Post the thickness of the glass if you can.

As F FJB said, adding a center glass brace will aid in keeping the lids from falling in the tank if you use the existing ones.

 

[Rass]

I bought an old 6' 100 gallon off of craigslist (former reef setup), that was built with no brace. Same dimensions as a 125 with a couple less inches in height. Very thick glass, heavy as could be, but it's been up for almost two years now with no issues.

 

[Rass]

Just make sure test it for a while outside. I test my tanks in the garage for a few weeks first.

 

[Yuki-Rihwa]

Look like the old school glass tank with overkill glass thickness, but for your safety do check the brace like many other members already suggested. I also used to have 6 foots tank without brace, the glass thickness like 3/4 inche...its heavy as hell. I have to give it away to those movers cause it's so damn heavy.

 

[James.Lafontaine]

I filled it completely with water for 3 days and it’s still holding. The glass is about 1/2 inch thick so I might add a brace