Aquarium Bracing - Bottom right side brace popped off

[PhilMStudy]

The outside plastic bracing had a piece pop off during a tank move when were lifting the aquarium from the stand (wedged between molding on edges of stand)…

I couldn’t find much on methods to repair this. What kind of glue to I need? The entire panel popped off, I still have it.

tank was empty and still is fwiw

 

[blaxsun]

Maybe upload an image or two for the resident fixit experts.

 

[PhilMStudy]

The plastic black bracing/frame of the tank itself. I’ve drawn one of the most aesthetically pleasing arrows you could imagine for reference lol

I am not close to an artist lol

 

[PhilMStudy]

Photo of the piece and where it would be, it is the bottom outer brace of the aquarium

 

[PhilMStudy]

Would JB plastic weld work? It is on the exterior of the tank so I’m not overly concerned about leeching. I won’t be putting water in it for at least a month (after thanksgiving and before Christmas

any help is appreciated, I am simply unable to find the right keywords for the search here to find what I need

 

[PhilMStudy]

Do you think I will have to replace the entire bottom trim/brace/frame or can I just glue this one piece back on?

It popped off lifting the aquarium off the stand, there was a piece of wooden trim on stand that the plastic aquarium trim was stuck to and it just popped off during the move

 

[attiland]

Photo of the piece and where it would be, it is the bottom outer brace of the aquarium

Unlikely structural. Just some glue will do

 

[kittenbritches]

You can use JB Weld Epoxy, Gorilla Glue Gel, or Loctite Glass Glue. The glass glue has a butyl formula that provides a lasting bond.

Another option is Professional Grade Cyanoacrylate (CA) Super Glue by Glue Masters
Whatever you go with, I'd recommend you do a 24-hour leak test before ever stocking it again.

 

[Big Smelly fish]

Don't they just silicone it in place, If it's in one piece I don't see a problem. once the tank is sitting on it it's not going anyplace.

 

[PhilMStudy]

Thank you all! I will be leak testing it for a week once done, work travel is forcing me to be patient lol probably a good thing

 

[TDEcoral]

Pretty sure it's ABS, so any ABS cement would work and probably be the best option for strongest bond.

 

[vetteguy53081]

The outside plastic bracing had a piece pop off during a tank move when were lifting the aquarium from the stand (wedged between molding on edges of stand)…

I couldn’t find much on methods to repair this. What kind of glue to I need? The entire panel popped off, I still have it.

tank was empty and still is fwiw

Manufacturers sell replacements. Its a pain in the *&% to get off though as they are spot siliconed on.
They are more cosmetic than structural and you can use a 2 part epoxy to rebond it

 

[JXNATC]

The outside plastic bracing had a piece pop off during a tank move when were lifting the aquarium from the stand (wedged between molding on edges of stand)…

I couldn’t find much on methods to repair this. What kind of glue to I need? The entire panel popped off, I still have it.

tank was empty and still is fwiw

I ordered replacement trim from https://aquariumframeswholesale.com/ and they recommended this silicone: https://aquariumframeswholesale.com/silicone

I can't say that I had a ton of luck with it, but I believe it was more my error than the silicone's.

 

[PhilMStudy]

If I have the full complete piece I can reuse it right?

 

[JXNATC]

I don't know why not, especially as it is on the bottom. I replaced the top and the bottom. I had no problems with the silicone on the bottom. The aquarium was supposed to be 18" wide but mine was slowly spreading and was almost 18 1/4". I think that spread and tension was too hard for the silicone and the top popped right back off. I may use that tank for a quarantine tank.

 

[PhilMStudy]

Glue/epoxy is curing today/last night, leak test starts after work, doesn’t end until 19th when I’m back in town

 

[PhilMStudy]

Leak test passed, but the center brace disconnected from one side and there is slight bowing.

you can see the center brace against the back glass of aquarium in second photo. The bow in the front is fairly slight but enough to pop that off of one side

how difficult is this to fix?

 

[kittenbritches]

I don't have an answer on the bracing, but my gut says this is a ticking time bomb.

 

[Big Smelly fish]

If the center brace is off and you have a bow in the tank , you will want to address it , by either building a brace to replace, I see a good section of it still on the front side to work with. didnt see anything on the other. I bet you could make some kind of brace. Not sure if you could buy a replacement top frame . I would if it was available.

 

[DH78]

If the center brace is off and you have a bow in the tank , you will want to address it , by either building a brace to replace, I see a good section of it still on the front side to work with. didnt see anything on the other. I bet you could make some kind of brace. Not sure if you could buy a replacement top frame . I would if it was available.

I agree that buying a replacement top frame would be best. I don't think glue would be strong enough to resist the weight and if the frame is already falling apart what section fails next?