Emergency waiting to happen? Cracked brace?

[Neptune 555]

HELP...

My 20 year old freshwater tank 4 foot 50 gallons has a broken centre brace. Photo attached... I had thought it cracked from weight place on top.... so didnt think anything of the crack as it was plastic. I had thouht if it was an actual support piece for the tank it would need to be more then just plastic? Had thought it would be metal?

It has been cracked for 8 months I think? I have been debating about keeping this tank as I have 2 others...

Is this an emergency waiting to happen? I am hosting thanksgiving and Xmas with 20+ people... and as I type this my husband is annoyed I am not hanging xmas lights.... Don't know how I fit in a tank change until the week after xmas?

THANKS
Neptune...

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

Seeing that has completely separated I would say that is a bomb waiting to go off. Sorry to say.

 

[Maritimer]

Any amount of water you could drain out of the tank will lessen the pressure on the glass.

Good luck!!

~Bruce

 

[RobZilla04]

Just helped a buddy swap from his 72 bow, which had a center brace fully crack, into a 125. He used a clamp from the hardware store while we waited a month for his equipment list to arrive and stand to be built. It's not pretty but it can buy you some time.

It needs to be tossed. As previously mentioned, it's a bomb waiting to explode.

 

[Neptune 555]

OK changing my plans and swapping tank tonight.. I am picking up new tank today... LONG NIGHT AHEAD!!

 

[RobZilla04]

OK changing my plans and swapping tank tonight.. I am picking up new tank today... LONG NIGHT AHEAD!!

Buy a clamp first! And drop the water level.

 

[Jvesche20]

Good luck hope everything works out

 

[vetteguy53081]

HELP...

My 20 year old freshwater tank 4 foot 50 gallons has a broken centre brace. Photo attached... I had thought it cracked from weight place on top.... so didnt think anything of the crack as it was plastic. I had thouht if it was an actual support piece for the tank it would need to be more then just plastic? Had thought it would be metal?

It has been cracked for 8 months I think? I have been debating about keeping this tank as I have 2 others...

Is this an emergency waiting to happen? I am hosting thanksgiving and Xmas with 20+ people... and as I type this my husband is annoyed I am not hanging xmas lights.... Don't know how I fit in a tank change until the week after xmas?

THANKS
Neptune...

You can use 2 part epoxy and then drill 4 small holes and use a nylon or resin brace/bracket and nylon screws to re-secure

 

[MnFish1]

I think its easy to fix - but with no water - Keep the tank - i.e. don't throw it away. Firstly - you can buy a new brace. Secondly With no water in the tank if you silicone a piece of glass - making sure that there is no gap with a clamp, etc - over the entire length of the tank - it will fix it... Use it as spare tank if you already bought one.