Framing Help

[EricJ7182]

I just picked up a 150 gallon tank (72 X19X29). I would like to use glass tops for it; however the tank does not have a center brace. Would it be better to try and create a DIY Center brace, or to try and replace the top frame to one of the newer ones that has a center brace?

 

[smitty03281964]

Doesn't it have two braces one in between where the center brace would be and the left side and the same on the right. Or did it originally have a center brace and did it break away.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; No experience with a tank that size without a center brace, so will ask if it looks stock or does it appear that a center brace is missing?
My main reason for posting is that the position of the tank looks risky on those blocks. A member recently posted about an empty 225 gallon falling off of some sawhorses and breaking.

 

[EricJ7182]

I just partially filled the tank to see where the leaks were, I'm in the process of resealing it now. It's completely empty now. I don't think that the brace broke away, the top frame is metal, and looks intact. I think that it may just be an older tank prior to when center braces were put in.

 

[alexpie001]

how thick is the glass?

 

[WyldFya]

That is an older style of tank. Back when tanks were built much better. It does not have a center brace, nor did it ever. Replacing the top isn't an option, as the glass thickness is much greater than your modern 125/150 frames. The best thing to do is to just make your own using a few custom cut pieces of glass. One on each end to level the tops, and one in the center if you are dividing it in half, or one at each 2' if you are dividing it in 3.

 

[EricJ7182]

Thank you for the advice. If I'm able to reseal it then I will just use some glass to build a center brace