Can I fix it?

[cichlid savage]

I was test filling my free 55gal tank for leaks, and the center brace on the top frame broke. It looked like it had been damaged by heat previously. To me this means there is some flex in the glass. So my question is this. Can I fix it by replacing the top frame? I think I saw some trims for sale in a LFS near me.

 

[stingray man]

"Can we build it, YES we can"

I think a new trim will work or u could even used wood.

 

[Dr Joe]

Yes, and the glass does bow (flex). Take your old frame with you to make sure you get the proper one.

Dr Joe

.

 

[OldMan]

If you can get a good fitting top frame that would be worth doing. Depending on how it broke you may be able to create a brace that holds the pieces in the right position and keeps them from spreading. Maybe some kind of splice to keep everything in the right position. My only attempt at this is a 125 that the previous owner thought looked better without the top frame. I ended up having to build the whole top frame with the needed braces out of some lumber. Ended up with a 1x3 running around the top with some 1x2 braces spanning the top at the 1/3 and 2/3 points. I used a mortice and tenon joint with wooden pegs to keep the tenon from pulling out of the mortice. That left me with the top braces slightly below the top of the 1x3 frame and thus the lid set down inside the rime nicely. Not exactly an easy fix but its been working fine for 2 years now.

 

[cichlid savage]

Thanks guys I damn near had a heart attack when I heard the brace break. Imagine doing a test fill on a tank and hearing a snap about as loud as a firecracker. Just glad I didnt soil myself.

 

[falcon446]

I got my tank with a broken brace, I just took a piece of thick metal the width of my brace and bent it (a little heat) on both ends so that the ends created tabs hanging over each side of the tank. A little over kill but it know it will not fail. I also built a wood hood so i do not see the metal bracket i made. Another idea, might not be the best but it has worked for me.

 

[Wolf3101]

You can either make a new one out of glass and install it 'euro' style....make one out of plexi and epoxy it to the frame using a bar clamp to hold everything in possition or pick up a new frame the way your talking about.

I stuck a temporary bar clamp on a 55 once and discovered that if you leave one on long enough it becomes part of the tank.....LOL

 

[Miles]

I have seen alot of people fix center braces by cutting a 12x12" piece of glass, and silicone it over the top of the broken center brace.. might think about using a better bonding agent though.

 

[edtriou]

I was test filling my free 55gal tank for leaks, and the center brace on the top frame broke. It looked like it had been damaged by heat previously. To me this means there is some flex in the glass. So my question is this. Can I fix it by replacing the top frame? I think I saw some trims for sale in a LFS near me.

I've made braces with acrylic strips before, worked like a charm.

Basically I cut cut two strips of 1/4" (scrap acrylic), one slightly longer than the other (ie: one goes on top of the lip of the inside of the frame, the other one just strenghtens the first one, so it needs to be within the lip - if that makes sense - grin). Those two pieces are sandwiched with weld-on 4 for 24 hours.

Then I replaced the missing brace (in my case on a 110 tall) with this one, gluing it to the lip on the trim using weld-on 16. I really wasn't sure how weld-on would bond to acrylic to plastic, but it's been about a year, under the pressure of a 32" tall tank, no problem.

I also lightly sanded the entire top trim, including the acrylic, and painted with black krylon, you'd never know it was made without a brace. Let me know if you need a pic.

Ed

 

[kitbasher]

Everyone has been giving you great ideas. I have myself replaced the top frame on a 55 that I used to have, just had the LFS order me a new one and I cut the old broken one off and siliconed on the new one. For my 45 tall when the center brace popped while filling it I ended up using acrylic like Edtriou did, but I used epoxy. I also added a couple of nylon bolts to hold the acrylic to the broken center frame while the epoxy set up. It has been holding for a few years now. Good luck - Kitbasher