!Need Suggestions...crack in top brace

ssegal104 · 07/23/2011, 08:56 PM

Ok just noticed this tonight....my 150 display has two cross braces on the top. I notice where one of the cross braces meets the perimeter frame...it is cracked about 1/3 the way through running parallel (or in the same direction as the glass across the brace) That said....I need some good suggestions to fix this. I'm afraid that if this cracks the rest of the way through, it will put unnecessary stress on the other brace and possibly compromise that one. Epoxy? Some type of strong plastic glue??

This has to be a tank in place solution. Thanks to all ahead of time.

maroun.c · 07/23/2011, 09:51 PM

Best would be to contact the tank builder and see if they can offer a solution or better yet come fix it for you.
You could supoprt the tank with a couple of clamps and take out the brace and replace it, Still there's always the risk of causing microcracks or even brreaking the front/back glass while taking it out. Another option would be to just silicon another brace on top of it so it will hold it and prevent it from breaking any further.

ssegal104 · 07/23/2011, 11:53 PM

the brace and top trim is all one piece (plastic) silicone still work?

ssegal104 · 07/24/2011, 12:08 AM

humm

billdogg · 07/24/2011, 06:20 AM

the best solution is to replace the plastic trim. It is a royal pia, but is the definitive answer.

The easiest solution is to use a piece of acrylic to bridge the break. cut it the same width as the cross brace and preferably long enough to go all the way across. Drill two holes in each end, and using nylon nuts and bolts (available at HD/Lowes), bolt it all up and you will be good to go.

The 3rd option is to let it break the rest of the way, allow the tank to fail, and use it as an excuse to upgrade. (WARNING - THIS OPTION WILL CERTAINLY COST THE MOST, AND COULD EASILY LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY WHEN THE TANK FAILS!!!)

ssegal104 · 07/24/2011, 08:59 AM

ok....here is the photo

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v2...-51-28_744.jpg

ssegal104 · 07/24/2011, 09:01 AM

billdogg; i dont think the acrylic option would work.

Sk8r · 07/24/2011, 09:02 AM

I'd suggest, while waiting for it to get fixed, putting a packing strap around the tank top and tightening it enough to support the tank against spreading.

ssegal104 · 07/24/2011, 09:02 AM

ssegal104 · 07/24/2011, 09:05 AM

how about siliconing in two triangular pieces of glass or acrylic into the corners? sorta like a modified euro brace?? would that work?

maroun.c · 07/24/2011, 11:05 AM

Definitly consult with the tank builder as I believe the whole top has to be taken out and replaced...
gluing anything on top will be rather difficult with the angle in front of the crack.
In the mean time a strap around the gladd or some clamps to prevent bowing would give you more peace of mind.

ssegal104 · 07/24/2011, 11:37 AM

picked up some supplies....gonna cut some triangles to insert into the corners and secure with silicone (a modified euro bracing if you will) I will use a slide clamp while it cures. That should be adequate....all three other cross brace locations are ok.

ssegal104 · 07/24/2011, 03:04 PM

Clamped, with the use of some Jenga Tiles.

ssegal104 · 07/24/2011, 03:06 PM

Triangles cut and siliconed.

ssegal104 · 07/24/2011, 03:07 PM

Saw a very tiny micro crack on the other one too....so just to be sure...did it too.

mess7777 · 07/24/2011, 08:44 PM

nice work, that seems like a good plan

doctorgori · 07/25/2011, 09:46 PM

I see a glimpse of a nice tank...how bout some pics?

07/23/2011, 08:56 PM	#1
ssegal104 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 31	!Need Suggestions...crack in top brace Ok just noticed this tonight....my 150 display has two cross braces on the top. I notice where one of the cross braces meets the perimeter frame...it is cracked about 1/3 the way through running parallel (or in the same direction as the glass across the brace) That said....I need some good suggestions to fix this. I'm afraid that if this cracks the rest of the way through, it will put unnecessary stress on the other brace and possibly compromise that one. Epoxy? Some type of strong plastic glue?? This has to be a tank in place solution. Thanks to all ahead of time.

07/23/2011, 09:51 PM	#2
maroun.c Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Lebanon Posts: 6,111	Best would be to contact the tank builder and see if they can offer a solution or better yet come fix it for you. You could supoprt the tank with a couple of clamps and take out the brace and replace it, Still there's always the risk of causing microcracks or even brreaking the front/back glass while taking it out. Another option would be to just silicon another brace on top of it so it will hold it and prevent it from breaking any further. __________________ 390 G mixed reef build Current Tank Info: 390G mixed reef

07/24/2011, 06:20 AM	#5
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	the best solution is to replace the plastic trim. It is a royal pia, but is the definitive answer. The easiest solution is to use a piece of acrylic to bridge the break. cut it the same width as the cross brace and preferably long enough to go all the way across. Drill two holes in each end, and using nylon nuts and bolts (available at HD/Lowes), bolt it all up and you will be good to go. The 3rd option is to let it break the rest of the way, allow the tank to fail, and use it as an excuse to upgrade. (WARNING - THIS OPTION WILL CERTAINLY COST THE MOST, AND COULD EASILY LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY WHEN THE TANK FAILS!!!) __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

07/24/2011, 09:02 AM	#8
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I'd suggest, while waiting for it to get fixed, putting a packing strap around the tank top and tightening it enough to support the tank against spreading. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

07/24/2011, 11:05 AM	#11
maroun.c Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Lebanon Posts: 6,111	Definitly consult with the tank builder as I believe the whole top has to be taken out and replaced... gluing anything on top will be rather difficult with the angle in front of the crack. In the mean time a strap around the gladd or some clamps to prevent bowing would give you more peace of mind. __________________ 390 G mixed reef build Current Tank Info: 390G mixed reef

07/23/2011, 11:53 PM	#3
ssegal104 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 31	the brace and top trim is all one piece (plastic) silicone still work?

07/24/2011, 12:08 AM	#4
ssegal104 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 31	humm

07/24/2011, 08:59 AM	#6
ssegal104 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 31	ok....here is the photo http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v2...-51-28_744.jpg

07/24/2011, 09:01 AM	#7
ssegal104 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 31	billdogg; i dont think the acrylic option would work.

07/24/2011, 09:05 AM	#10
ssegal104 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 31	how about siliconing in two triangular pieces of glass or acrylic into the corners? sorta like a modified euro brace?? would that work?

07/24/2011, 11:37 AM	#12
ssegal104 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 31	picked up some supplies....gonna cut some triangles to insert into the corners and secure with silicone (a modified euro bracing if you will) I will use a slide clamp while it cures. That should be adequate....all three other cross brace locations are ok.

07/24/2011, 03:04 PM	#13
ssegal104 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 31	Clamped, with the use of some Jenga Tiles.

07/24/2011, 03:06 PM	#14
ssegal104 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 31	Triangles cut and siliconed.

07/24/2011, 03:07 PM	#15
ssegal104 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 31	Saw a very tiny micro crack on the other one too....so just to be sure...did it too.

07/24/2011, 08:44 PM	#16
mess7777 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: QC,QC Posts: 987	nice work, that seems like a good plan

07/25/2011, 09:46 PM	#17
doctorgori Moved On Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Simon Bar-Sinistar Posts: 1,097	I see a glimpse of a nice tank...how bout some pics?

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