FishProfiles.com Message Forums

you see, i got this AWESOME piece of drift wood, and after about an hour of TLC i finally got it to a "slip in nicely" size, only one problem, the stump part is caught on the middle bridge of the 55 thing. how do i safely remove it without cracking/breaking it?

How tight of a fit is it?

Could you sand it down or hack a chunk of it off to get it in?

If you need to remove the center brace, even temporarily, you'll probably have to drain the entire tank (that is, if it's already set up?)... the weight of the water would probably be too great for the glass...

The only way I know of to get the top off of a tank is to take a razor blade under it on both sides and slit the silicone, and then attempt to get it off (there'll still be some in the top middle part of it tho, so you'll need to devise some sort of plan to get that out).

Or... Depending on the configuration of your hood, you could remove the center brace, put in the driftwood, and use several lengths of heavy duty wire to hold the front and the back of the tank together. I've seen it done, but it looks like it'd be a tid bit tricky...

Good luck, you'll need it

no, the tank isnt set up yet, just took the sheet off that was hiding it

but after i get that wood in it wont be comming back out, so i would replace the piece again....

grr why does life have to be so complicated

meh, nevermind....i wanted the drift wood in like THEN..so i snapped the middle brace off, went to lower in the driftwood in and guess what! i have to wait ANYWAY because i still have to trim a little off.....once again..

grrr why does life have to be so complicated...i mean i could have crammed the wood in there, but i would brobly end up cracking the tank in the progress....oh well, news in the morning.

If you broke the center brace off, DON'T attempt to fill the tank with water without replacing/repairing it. The tank will bow out and probably burst or the end seams will break loose. If you actually broke the center brace, you can purchase new frame assemblies. I did so last summer I believe from pet warehouse, but they weren't cheap, around $40.00 plus shipping.

Jim

---

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

it still has the rim all around it, i only removed the bar in the middle that holds up the hoods. but oh yes, i do plan on putting it back lol, it looks..odd to say the least with it gone, but i do have aquarium silicone that i plan on repairing it with. but i want to get the wood and gravel in first, then i will glue it back on, and the wood will never come out, so i f i plan on selling, i will deff raise the price, its an excellant piece of wood, and the tank is practicly new.

The middle bar is not just to hold up the lids. It supports the entire center from bowing out, which it will dramatically when water is added without this brace. Just reattaching it with silicone with not work. The stress is so much that it will break loose, and as stated will cause the tank to eventually burst. The middle brace is a necessity to the structural soundness of the tank and as such when you broke it out, you have jeapordized the usefullness of the tank. Please, do not use this tank without replacing the entire top frame. If you do, I think you're in for a very nasty surprise.

If you don't think this is true, e-mail the manufacturer of the tank and I think you'll get the same answer from them.

Jim

---

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

Your LFS should be able to order the trim in, but depending on their supplier, they may have to contact the mfg directly.

alright, i will call the fish store later...already had a 10 gallon crack last year, big mess, i can only amagine what a 55 would make