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Thread: Fixing a broken tank

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    Master Reefer SaltyDawg's Avatar
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    Fixing a broken tank

    I was washing out my tall 40 gal. Where its so tall it takes all of my arm to get to the bottom. I hit the 2 in. wide center brace with my elbow and the brace broke. My question is, does the brace only help keep the hood up or is it a structural piece of the tank itself. If it is needed is there any fixing it, or where might I find a new rim. I really want to cut it out because I dont want a shadow from it across the tank. Any thoughts....thanks.

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    Grand Master Reefer Amphibious's Avatar
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    What is the depth of the tank?
    Amphibious

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    Master Reefer SaltyDawg's Avatar
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    24h 36l 12d. If the glass thickness matters...the ends are 7/32 and the front and back are 5/16.

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    Grand Master Reefer Amphibious's Avatar
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    Thanks. Bracing is put there for a reason, to ensure that the expansion of the filled tank doesn’t exceed the the breaking point. How much “engineering” goes into the design is not known. It could be the manufacturer makes an arbitrary decision to put bracing in to cover his butt. Don’t know for sure. The thickness of the glass worries me with that height. It’s a judgement call and you’re the only one that can make it.

    If it were my tank and I wanted to eliminate the brace for the reason you mentioned, I’d fill it up with water and see what happens. This should be done outside or over a drain. Make sure the tank is level and evenly supported if you do this.
    Amphibious

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    Amblyeleotris randalli commonly, Randall's Goby.

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    Master Reefer SaltyDawg's Avatar
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    sounds a little to risky to use. Is there any way to replace the trim...can you even get these kind of parts?

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    Grand Master Reefer CarmieJo's Avatar
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    I've heard of contacting the manufacturer. I also know some people who have repaired them by gluing a piece of acrylic over the plastic brace.
    Carmie


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    Our Brotha Down Unda
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    Yeah, bracing limits the belly bulge among other things, non more so than the centre one. Outward pressure can really test the characteristics of the material.
    If its plastic, acrylic or glass, doesn't matter, just get underneath it, cut it off, & use z bond or some other silicon to reapply another cut to size. Its a 10min job.



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    Master Reefer SaltyDawg's Avatar
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    I never even thought of replacing it with an acrylic one. I'll cut the old brace out leaving about 3/4" tabs to epoxy a piece of acrylic to. Maybe even put a small bolt through them just for added piece of mind. Thanks

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    SPS Reefer / TR Admin lReef lKeeper's Avatar
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    if you add a bolt, go to lowes or home depot and get a NYLON bolt and nut to use. they are in the "specialty bolts/screw" section.
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    Our Brotha Down Unda
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    aww come on, gota get chelated iron in your system somehow..lol



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