Bonehead Move

[blakes29]

So I pulled a bonehead move yesterday. I set our turtles basking light on the center brace of the aquarium without letting it cool.

Surprise!!!! Center brace broke. The top of the tank has spread over a quarter if an inch from front to back already.

How cool is that?!

I have a carpenter's clamp holding the tank to stop it from spreading any further. But it scared the crap out of me when I saw how far it had bowed already.

Off to the glass shop on Monday to get a replacement brace cut!! YAHOOOOO!!!!!

 

[Brit’s Fish]

Bummer!!

 

[Billdogg]

You can mend it easily with a piece of acrylic cut to size and 4 sets of nylon nuts and bolts.

1. Cut acrylic to the size of the brace

2. Clamp it in place and drill 2 holes the size of the bolts on either side of the break.
*drill carefully to avoid melting (too fast) or cracking (usually too slow) the acrylic or brace.

3. Insert nuts and bolts

4. Remove external clamp

Easy, permanent fix

 

[blakes29]

Thanks for the advice Billdogg.

I will get a new piece of 3/8" glass for the brace tomorrow morning, drain to 50%, and then install the new piece of glass.

I will have to set all my rock on the bottom to keep it wet and warm. I have 2 x 27 gal totes for the displaced water.

Should be able to put everything back the next day.

Should I put a power head in the totes to keep water circulating? The water should be out for less than 24 hours.

 

[blakes29]

Tank is repaired and back in business. Now to continue the cycling.....

Hopefully I'll be able to get CUC and a couple of fish in a week or two.

 

[vetteguy53081]

You can mend it easily with a piece of acrylic cut to size and 4 sets of nylon nuts and bolts.

1. Cut acrylic to the size of the brace

2. Clamp it in place and drill 2 holes the size of the bolts on either side of the break.
*drill carefully to avoid melting (too fast) or cracking (usually too slow) the acrylic or brace.

3. Insert nuts and bolts

4. Remove external clamp

Easy, permanent fix

Plastic nuts and bolts like the ones they sell for lisence plates

 

[rc1626]

I am using the ones they use to secure a toilet seat to a toilet. Been using for some time. Used on my last tank as well when I removed the center brace to reduce shadowing. Purchased from local hardware store.

 

[Billdogg]

Plastic nuts and bolts like the ones they sell for lisence plates

If you go to HomeDepot or Lowes, in the fasteners isle there are a few cabinets with oddball stuff. At least on drawer will be nylon nuts and bolt of various sizes and lengths. I'd use the shortest ones that will work, in either 1/4 or 3/8 diameter - whatever will fit best for you. As for the acrylic brace itself - 1/4" thickness is plenty imo.