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My 55 gallon tank, which has been set up for 7 months or so, seems to have broken!!
The center brace on the top of the tank split (where it connects to the section of brace that runs along the back). I noticed it at lunch today, so I am assuming it just happened this morning...the tank was bowed out about 1.5" Due to work, I drained about 45% of the water, and it was only bowed about 1/4"
I am praying it holds out, because I am going to have to go buy a replacement tank...move everything...and exchange the current tank.

Has this happened to anyone? Any ideas on stabilizing the glass in the interim?

1. No it hasn't ever happened to me, though now I am panic stricken about it happening .

2. Where exactly? I don't have a brace on the back piece of glass on my 55, or my 29 for that matter. I do have a brace down the middle of the 55 on the bottom of the tank, but can't imagine that being where it is...Have you thought about resealing it? I know it would be a pain, but it might work...check in chat tonight, and maybe someone has some ideas...

3. Be very happy that the glass just decided to bow out instead of burst! I've had a 20 gallon do a water change without my help, and know it can cover a lot of room, don't want to think about my 55 gallon doing that...

Best of luck, and I'll mention it in chat when I get home...Heidi

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

No need to buy a replacement tank! Buy a new plastic frame, drain the tank until it's not bowing out any more, remove the old frame, and silicone the new one in place. Voila! Keep the water level low until the silicone sets, of course.

-Molly
Visit shelldwellers.com!

Since it came up where would you buy a frame? I need to frame a tank I'm building. People build braces all the time for custom tanks so I'm sure you could find a way to easily fix it instead of getting rid of the tank.

Through the manufacturer, I'd assume - ie call All-Glass or Perfecto. But call the pet store first, you never know, they could have one.

-Molly
Visit shelldwellers.com!

could this be why my 20 sprung a leak? I still haven't totally dismantled it yet to see, and it's just sitting there, with the gravel...I know my frame is busted.

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

If you are looking down at teh top of the tank, the frame goes along where the glass is, and there is a center piece that goes from front to back. That piece is what broke/split, where it connects to the rest of the frame in the back.
I can get a new tank because this one is still under warranty, but that is my only option, unless I pay for it myself. I actually couldn't find the tank to trade it out last night, so it's still sitting there...about 1/2 full and bowing 1/4". AGH! I haven't had luck finding the brace, no one has it (that was my 1st thought).
If I go that route, and advice on how to take the old frame off?

I spoke to Perfecto, and she said I could get the top frame, but it would void any future warranty. So I am just going to keep looking for the tank so I can replace the entire thing.

It would probably be best if you got a new tank anyway. After glass flexes it tends to weaken (my 29g bowed 3/4" after moving it when it had some water in the bottom)...I had to replace it.

Best of luck

buy no new anything.... no way man..


i had this problem in a new tank. i noticed when the tank was full i had about a 1/2in gap in the plastic middle support. and to fix this, i took some wood (think it was balsa) just thick enough to fit in.

so i drained the tank. put the wood in and made sure it wouldnt move. filled the tank. it has held in place for over 2 months now.

but the other option, yea buy a new plastic top. i had to by one for a 40g long i just got that needed a total replacment, and found it for only 20.

Last edited by monkeyboy at 03-May-2005 11:40

Last edited by monkeyboy at 03-May-2005 11:42

Fish tanks are an expensive addiction

I just bought both a top and a bottom for a couple of 55 gallon tanks that I have and I got them from:

http://www.thatpetplace.com/

I think there were like $18.00 each plus some minor shipping.

Jim

---

Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

to fix the center brace, get a piece of aluminum and at least four nuts and bolts (stainless type, found in a hardware store, to hold the plastic and the aluminum, not too large). Place the aluminum below the plastic brace (there are no bumps there) and drill the plastic and the aluminum piece together.

Dry both parts and apply silicone to the aluminum and stick it to the broken plastic brace, bolt the thing and you're done.

If you want to 'un-bow' the tank while fixing, make a metal piece to hold both tank walls... a piece like THIS ---> ] <--- Its temporary but it can prevent damage to the silicone joints and some other problems.


Good Luck!