Fallen center brace

[matt]

As I was feeding my darling fishies tonight, I noticed that the center brace on my 6 month old aqua trends 100 gallon tank has become detached from the tank on one side and is falling into the water. Has anyone had this happen before, and what can be done about it? In their defense, I did ask for a smaller center brace, but they never gave me any indication that it wouldn't work correctly. Is it serious? Do I have to drain the tank to get it fixed? I sure hope not....

[Henry]

Matt, this can be very serious. How thick is the glass of the sides? This can cause extra stress on the front and back of the tank causing it to fail. I dont' mean to scare you. As I have also seen tanks with no center brace but with very thick glass. Can you notice a bowing of the the front or back glass?

[matt]

The glass is 3/8" thick. There is some bowing along the top in the front; maybe about 1/4" deflection along the 5 foot length. Please, please tell me I don't have to drain my tank. The brace was attached to the top molding, I'm pretty sure.

[TexasState]

Silicone can be toxic while it cure. It's up to you if you want to drain your tank a little bit to put the brace back on. As for right now, you should get some clamps from Home Depot to hold the tank together while you decide what to do.

[matt]

Excellent idea, Vinh. I'll do it, and call aqua trends tomorrow morning. I wonder if they make house calls?

[wkopplin]

I had this happen on an old tank of mine and it bowed out about 1/4" at first. It started getting worse and I had to drain it. Big pain, but better than having 125 gallons of water in my living room. I think you need to get it fixed or you will end up with a big mess.

[Henry]

You shouldn't have to completely drain the tank, just enough to re-attach the brace. As stated previously, silicone can be toxic while it cures

[Joe]

I had a 10 gallon quarrantine tank set up in my kitchen until yesterday. My wife hit it with a dish and broke it. Helluva mess!!! Believe me, you want to get it fixed as soon as possible.

[TexasState]

If they are willing to come by to fix it, clean off as much of the old silicone, dirty surface for them b4 they show up. Nothing is like doing it yourself to make sure it's done right! I'm sure you can fix the brace yourself too if they are willing to give you some pointer. Petsmart/Wal-Mart should carry aquarium silicone with detailed instruction on how to apply it yourself. HD carry Aquarium silicone too if you know the right part number to buy.

[wkopplin]

You might try to get the place where you bought the tank to re-attach it as it should be under warranty. See if they can come out then you should only have to drain it halfway. I have an extra, clean 55 gallon trash (fish only) can you can borrow to store the water and anything exposed.

[Henry]

I have used ge silicone I to reseal some smaller tanks(ie. 30gallons) got it at both HD and walmart.

[TexasState]

A little more details about the toxic silicone:
While curing, silicone gives off a gas that smell like vinegar. It gave me a headache when I try to sniff it. :-o Maybe Henry can tell you how long it take for silicone to cure. It's at least overnight or more.


You might try to get the place where you bought the tank to re-attach it as it should be under warranty.
I could be wrong, but I think his warranty through AquaTrend is long expired.

[wkopplin]

Only 6 months old. Should have a year. Maybe not....

[dan]

SILICONE TAKES 24 HOURS TO CURE. 5 TO 10 MIN.WORKING TIME

[Triggerman]

bummer matt,

i hate to tell you but you're goning to have to break down the tank, start making the prepartations. if you just try to silicone it back it'll end up happening again, i believe there's a thing rigid plastic in between the center brace that helps the bowing which must of broke. so it's going to need a brand new center brace, you might coinsider adding another and spacing the two out so the tank is split in thirds to prevent this from happening again. hope they warranty this for you, since it was a custom made they might not just be prepared to raise alittle hell. it not at all safe without the brace, in time the tank will continue to bow out and eventually the seams will start to come apart and then the nightmare begins.

ray

[Henry]

The silicone will take 24hrs to cure as dan stated. I using don't move or fill a tank for about 2-3 days depending on temp. If I remember correctly, this brace did not have the plastic strip it was just glass. Matt if you need something let me know. I have a couple of empty tanks that you can borrow if you need to. LMK

Henry
210.269.5105

[z28pwr]

Matt, if you need to borrow a tank for the meantime I may be able to free up one of my smaller tanks.

[matt]

Well. I looked at it more closely, and i think it's worse than I thought. Ray is correct in that there's a plastic brace that broke off from the molding; I didn't think just silicone was holding that thing in place. Anyhow, it's bowed out at least 1/2" from where the plastic would meet together. This could not have happened at a worse time; exam week, etc. I'll call aqua trends tomorrow to see what can be done about this, but I guess I'm looking to borrow a couple of tanks in the meantime, unless aqua trends wants to come through for me and just give me a new one right away. Probably though, I'll have to drain the tank and get it to them for repair. Jeesh what a PITA! Does anyone know if the oceanic 100 gallon dimensions are the same, 60.5 X 18.5 including the molding?

Thanks for all the offers; that's one of the things that makes this group great!

[TexasState]

http://www.oceanicsystems.com/products_dimensions.html#Aquariums
110 Reef Ready® 60½ x 18½ x 24¾ (Actual sight might slightly differ of course.)
I'm sure you could run into the same problem. Next time around to protect the plastic center brace, tape reflective aluminum tape over the plastic part of your center brace to shelter it from the MH.

[prof]

A couple of bar clamps, available from Home Depot or Lowe's, is your quick fix. It will be ugly but you will be able to put off the official fix until you have time. Get the ones with rubber pads. You can borrow mine if you have a way to get them from Austin. Just don't try to overtighten it. You could shatter the glass.

Good luck.

[wkopplin]

Matt,

I have a 40 gallon acrylic tank I am breaking down you could borrow as well as that 55 gallon trash can I use to mix water. The acrylic tank is a wierd tank, two 20 L's on their side connected by tubes, but it is light and easy to move. Let me know and I will finish up breaking it down tonight.

If you are out to 1/2", you are not too far from the breakpoint of the tank.

[matt]

I just talked to aqua trends. They'll fix it, but I do have to break down the tank. Interestingly, he suggested that I not put any clamps on it; he thought that would stress the glass more.

I can break out my old 40 breeder, maybe borrow a couple of other tanks; wkopplin, your 40 acrylic sounds great; thanks! maybe I can come get it in the next few days. I'm going to do this next week; monday-wednesday. I just don't have time this week.

Big bummer....

Matt

[wkopplin]

I can bring it to the meeting if you will be there.

[z28pwr]

I have a 30 gallon sitting in the garage. I could bring it to the meeting aswell.