ok so just noticed yesterday that the middle brace on my 5ft 120g has a big crack in it where it connects to the front of the tank, is there something i can do to stop it from breaking all the way?
Middle Brace is breaking, is there a DIY fix?
- Thread starter Sarah88
- Start date
Replacing the frame is the only true fix but I did execute a repair on my old 220G tank that had a very similar break on both cross braces. Unfortunately, I no longer have the tank and didn't take any pictures of the repair, but I will try to explain it. I used an "L" bracket like this one
I positioned it so half of the bracket was on top of the tank and the other half went down toward the front of the tank. I had to drill out the holes a little but I simply bolted the "L" bracket through the plastic brace. The "L" bracket kept the tank in position just fine for years. My light hood covered the repair. If this is not clear, which I understand completely, let me know and I will take a picture of one in place on another tank. Almost forgot, make sure you lower the water level and clamp the tank back into position before installing said bracket.
I positioned it so half of the bracket was on top of the tank and the other half went down toward the front of the tank. I had to drill out the holes a little but I simply bolted the "L" bracket through the plastic brace. The "L" bracket kept the tank in position just fine for years. My light hood covered the repair. If this is not clear, which I understand completely, let me know and I will take a picture of one in place on another tank. Almost forgot, make sure you lower the water level and clamp the tank back into position before installing said bracket.
Try some JB Weld. I used this crap on my dirt bike when i Wrecked and broke off the kick start on the bike. It held up to a full day of riding and multiple kick starts on my dirt bike. It was bonding aluminum. But it works on plastic too. U can find it at any auto parts store or home depot...
I second that. You could do silicone but who knows how long it would last. There's also a few underwater epoxy/resin combo's on the market that are 100% safe and can be used for household repairs in pipes when full of water that are just as hard as jb weld. I have a pack of marine grade jb weld so I know they sell it (to fix my canoe) but I am not sure if its safe (as in like drinkable safe) if we used it on say a water pipe for humans or in your case for fish. thing is-this is pretty much from what I can see, on top of the tank so I see no issues regardless.DarthMaul;4181349; said:
I would not trust glue/epoxy.
Lower the water down until you can get a new top frame or silicone a glass brace in there.
Although JB weld is a great product I would not use it here. It does not melt into the plastic. It only sticks to the scratches you sand/file into whatever your trying to repair.
Lower the water down until you can get a new top frame or silicone a glass brace in there.
Although JB weld is a great product I would not use it here. It does not melt into the plastic. It only sticks to the scratches you sand/file into whatever your trying to repair.
thanks guys for all your tips, so if i use the L bracket and have to pre-drill the holes, wouldn't the hole needed in the front of the tank have to go through glass? so would i need a glass drill? as far as replacing the top frame, how would i do that and where could i get a new frame from? and could i do this just by lowering the water level and leaving all the fish inside or would i have to completely empty the tank?
NIce and simple so here goes. Just get the L bracket and hammer it flat cut it to the right length and then close the gap and screw down the screws while holding the gap close
Sarah88;4183594; said:
If you go with the L bracket, you only put holes in the top of the bracket down through the plastic cross brace. DONT drill holes in the front of the tank. The part of the L bracket that is on the front of the tank acts as a support. Here is a pic I took real quick to better explain.
I didnt have the right L bracket here so I fabricated one for photo purposes only. Anyway, looking at the picture, you will see a red dot on the top of the bracket, drill 2 holes in that area through the brace to bolt the L bracket to. Most L brackets come with holes pre drilled. You can also cut off the part of the bracket that extends into the viewing window. Use stainless steel nuts and bolts. Like I said earlier, I fixed both braces on my 220G and had it for years.
Here is a picture with enhanced dots where the bolts go. Cut off the area below the line that is in front of the glass.
