Aquarium repair help

[Ulu]

How old is this tank? Has it ever been stored in the cold weather? Outdoors in the sun for any time?

Silicone does age, and it is reported that exposure to cold weather makes it worse.

If you are unsure about the history of this tank, it would be wise to take every effort to make it perfect, or just sell it and save your money.

To reseal the entire interior 100% the overflows must come out, and must be re-sealed at the same time as the whole interior.

 

[Infernapes]

How old is this tank? Has it ever been stored in the cold weather? Outdoors in the sun for any time?

Silicone does age, and it is reported that exposure to cold weather makes it worse.

If you are unsure about the history of this tank, it would be wise to take every effort to make it perfect, or just sell it and save your money.

To reseal the entire interior 100% the overflows must come out, and must be re-sealed at the same time as the whole interior.

Tank is almost 3 years old. Never exposed to cold weather and was only outside in sunlight for a few hours the day I picked it up.

I guess a question would be why take them out. I can reach inside them and touch the bottom glass.

I really don't mean to ask a million questions but like I said I've never resealed a tank.

 

[Ulu]

The overflows are the least of your problems. They are really easy to re-set. But if you're not going to scrape out the inside silicone, then let them be.

 

[BIG-G]

I’ve thought about this and my advice would be to replace the panel 100% I would not trust a sandwich job and a tank this big.

Especially with the crack on the back front or bottom.
I would definitely recommend replacing the center bracing as well.

Cut the panel out, scrape and clean all the old silicone on the sides and bottom as well as the entire inside seam. If the other joints are good you should only have to do the inside to insure a good leak proof repair.

 

[Infernapes]

I’ve thought about this and my advice would be to replace the panel 100% I would not trust a sandwich job and a tank this big.

Especially with the crack on the back front or bottom.
I would definitely recommend replacing the center bracing as well.

Cut the panel out, scrape and clean all the old silicone on the sides and bottom as well as the entire inside seam. If the other joints are good you should only have to do the inside to insure a good leak proof repair.

I definitely have now been leaning towards replacing the whole panel, I have a few months before I can even set the tank to truly but would like to get it fixed before it starts getting to cold out.

You are saying to just replace the brace, over repairing it.
Why? Just for the insurance of it being new.

I would also like to find a way to make the brace stronger, was thinking of wrapping the whole brace in either 2x4 or 4x4 posts and then building my canopy off that.

 

[BIG-G]

I definitely have now been leaning towards replacing the whole panel, I have a few months before I can even set the tank to truly but would like to get it fixed before it starts getting to cold out.

You are saying to just replace the brace, over repairing it.
Why? Just for the insurance of it being new.

I would also like to find a way to make the brace stronger, was thinking of wrapping the whole brace in either 2x4 or 4x4 posts and then building my canopy off that.

Not necessarily replace it. I just meant to be sure and reinstall the center bracing.
I’m not sure I completely understand what you mean about reinforcing it?

If you could maybe post some pictures it would help with getting better advice.

 

[Infernapes]

Not necessarily replace it. I just meant to be sure and reinstall the center bracing.
I’m not sure I completely understand what you mean about reinforcing it?

If you could maybe post some pictures it would help with getting better advice.

I will post a picture of the brace and glass when I get off work. It's a marineland 220g with duel overflows if you wanted to look it up to see the brace before I post pictures

One of the 2 braces is broken right at the front of the tank.

 

[Ulu]

The top of the tank can have a tight frame with braces, that the canopy sits on.
This is a backup if the glass brace cracks because it accidently gets wacked.

You can double the existing glass brace to double the silicone contact to the front and back.
The structural silicone joints from brace to panels have a lot of tension.

My 6' long tank has a 1/2"x18"x18" glass brace on the top.
An 8' long tank could logically have two braces, but one big one will do.

 

[BIG-G]

I will post a picture of the brace and glass when I get off work. It's a marineland 220g with duel overflows if you wanted to look it up to see the brace before I post pictures

One of the 2 braces is broken right at the front of the tank.

Ah ok so this tank has plastic frame.
So you will need to replace the whole frame or install some other form of bracing.

You could build a canopy that would act as the top frame.
Or install glass euro bracing and add the front to back pieces.
Or you could add glass center bracing. By silicone a piece of glass that fits inside between the front and back pane with another piece that sits on top of that piece silicone to the top of the front and back pane And the inside piece.

I repaired a used 220 this way and added a piece of glass to both ends as well
Just to cap off the top of the end panels for additional strength.
The tank has been up for ten years without any problems so far

 

[Infernapes]

The top of the tank can have a tight frame with braces, that the canopy sits on.
This is a backup if the glass brace cracks because it accidently gets wacked.

You can double the existing glass brace to double the silicone contact to the front and back.
The structural silicone joints from brace to panels have a lot of tension.

My 6' long tank has a 1/2"x18"x18" glass brace on the top.
An 8' long tank could logically have two braces, but one big one will do.

It's a plastic brace not glass

Ah ok so this tank has plastic frame.
So you will need to replace the whole frame or install some other form of bracing.

You could build a canopy that would act as the top frame.
Or install glass euro bracing and add the front to back pieces.
Or you could add glass center bracing. By silicone a piece of glass that fits inside between the front and back pane with another piece that sits on top of that piece silicone to the top of the front and back pane And the inside piece.

Could I repair the plastic brace and add glass underneath for added support or should I just remove the plastic brace and either euro or center brace it.