I Need help URGENT before my tank collapses, Strut Brace Emergency

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S

SteveR

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Jul 1, 2008
1,359
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Scotland
Well I got up today to find this : see pics. The left strut brace on my 65 Gallon glass tank has collapsed into the water at the back (front bit is still connected). I was surprised there was no "join" as such, just silicone is this normal?

I am really worried the tank could collapse any second and it's a lot of water for our small room. Please please tell me what to do urgently!:WHOA:

Do I need a new tank?! It's only 4 years old.

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I'd drain it down partially and re-silicon it in place, doesn't seem like any other option if you want to keep the tank running.

Silicon is pretty much the only thing that holds Aquariums together, even the big ones. Those little plastic frames don't do much as some people even remove them on smaller tanks.
 
Thanks. Could someone give me proper step by step detail? I know it's alot to ask but I've never done a repair like this and phoned all LFS stores in my area all said I would have to do it myself!
 
Use a razor blade to remove all the old silicon, place the piece back in it's original position, use tape/string/etc to hold it in place, run a bead the same size as the original in the same place, and that is it. You could add a little extra so it doesn't happen again if you want. It will take 24-48 hours to fully cure.
 
I used one of these to hold the top together on a 55g while repairing the brace.
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SteveR;4266812; said:
Thanks man. Is it safe? It just seems so, I dunno!
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Seeing as it still has the plastic bracing around the top and the other brace is still intact I'd say it should be alright. I'd still Silicon the other one back in place soon though.

You can always drain it down all the way and put the fish in a tub for now with the filters to keep it cycled. Then repair the tank, let it cure, and put them back in once it's fully cured. This way you don't have to worry about dripping Silicon into the water. However I think if you're careful it could be done with the tank just drained down 1/2 way or so.
 
polish;4266783; said:
Use a razor blade to remove all the old silicon, place the piece back in it's original position, use tape/string/etc to hold it in place, run a bead the same size as the original in the same place, and that is it. You could add a little extra so it doesn't happen again if you want. It will take 24-48 hours to fully cure.
Click to expand...

+1, but i would make sure you use aquarium safe silicone. if its out of the water you would probably be fine with normal silicone, but better safe than sorry.

i know it might seem like a daunting task but trust, get your hands dirty and you will look back at it and smile thinking i fixed that lol. shouldnt take more than 45 mins from start to finish.
 
it will be an easy fix, no worries. GE Type 1 100% silicone is aquarium safe and I have used it many times very successfully (including complete reseals)
 
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