My Center Support Broke. Again.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Westie

Westie

Candiru
MFK Member
Jan 10, 2008
463
2
48
Bay Area CA USA
Background- I have a 90g, had it for almost 20 years now. Its been both reef and fresh. The top support broke again, maybe the third or fourth time I've broken and repaired it. Its very brittle from years of MH lighting. I put it back together again, this time using a new piece of plastic that spans the width of the tank firmly. I used marine glue and zap-a-gap to fix it into place, I'm going reef again, fingers crossed it solves the problem. Speaking of which, how vital is the center support anyways?
 
Well I would think it is there for a reason. Myself I would dump the tank and get a new one. 90 gallons on the floor would suck. But just my opinion maybe others could chime in. I have a very old 65 custom made with extra thick glass. I used to have a giant snakehead that I was growing out before the ban. Those guys were famous for breaking glass.LOL I miss my beast! Sorry to get back to topic I have seen 55 break when the support was cracked.
 
The center support on my 55g broke a few years ago. I just did a weak plastic piece across the tank secured with silicone to just hold the glass tops/lights. No where near as thick as the original brace. No noticeable issues besides that there is a slight bow (I used one of those laser levels) across the front pane.

There would be more pressure on your 90g, but then again it has thicker glass.

Just my experience.
 
My 75 gallon was missing the center support when i got it used but its an old tank with pretty thick glass. If it is bowing it can't be noticed. I would say it depends on how much bow you have in the glass when full. If I'm not mistaken the 90 gallons are teh same lenght and width of a 75 just deeper. those extra few inches could add much more pressure on the glass. So I would recommend buying a new top frame. Cost is like 15 bucks usually. I plan on doing this soon. Better than buying a whole new tank. you could probably have one delivered to you from Glasscages.com or the LFS may be able to order one.
 
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