Re-plastic welding. All DIY KINGS CALLED.

[Sir Chris]

Hey. Soooooo I drilled a shade high even tho I checked it. So I cut the back and cleaned it and now it seals and no issue also the teeth slide out as it is. So how would u guys re attach the top support 2 the side. I plan on heating up some rod like I did 2 find it’s depth b4 sinking a wheel into it. So I can melt both edges 2gather. Will it make the plastic brittle like I’m thinking? So I’ll inforce it ima cut it just 2 where it webs out then the other pic shows how I’d reinforce and re mold it 2gather. And prolly use a epoxy over it 2 ensure all the holes are bonded. Thx!!!!!!

 

[Sir Chris]

And again ima heat that rod up to the length needed and fuse the plastic by jamming it into itself. Temp control might help so red hot isn’t needed. But I just don’t want it 2 snap... so that’s the epoxy resin 2part 2 make it all 1 part and bonded like a composite. And lick the plastic with flame so it’s shiny again and looks stock

 

[Mandelstam]

Not sure what kind of plastic it is and how it will bond to itself when heated. It could work I guess. Another option is to predrill holes and epoxy it together and pulling it together with ss screws in the predrilled holes.
Could sand and paint it with Krylon Fusion afterwards.

 

[don_chuwish]

Honestly, I think you've trashed the tank. Looks like a 120G - correct? Lots of pressure on the center brace. I almost flooded my brand new house trying to use a 120G that I 'fixed' the center brace on. When it broke there was a noticeable bowing out of the front & back panels. $500 for another tank is much cheaper than a flooded house.
I sold my failed one as a terrarium.

 

[Fin]

Honestly, I think you've trashed the tank. Looks like a 120G - correct? Lots of pressure on the center brace. I almost flooded my brand new house trying to use a 120G that I 'fixed' the center brace on. When it broke there was a noticeable bowing out of the front & back panels. $500 for another tank is much cheaper than a flooded house.
I sold my failed one as a terrarium.

I agree. Some of those plastic center braces can break over time from the stress anyway. One that is compromised and patched would not be something I would feel comfortable with.

 

[Reef-junky]

+1 on the last two comments. I would say get rid of the trim and put a glass brace but it will be a PITA to get off. other then looks it’s not worth putting what you cut off back on you’ve ruined the integrity of the trim.

 

[Sir Chris]

It’s a 75. And the brace I learned it’s best 2 use the extra molding with a heat gun and melt it 2gather. I still like my heat bar then epoxy it would b stronger

 

[Sir Chris]

If it was a 125 Ida slowed my friend down a lot more and double checked it fit. On glacé it did. But not once drilled..

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Maybe look into adding a eurobrace. That plastic patch is like a chain with a weak link

 

[Sir Chris]

I just came up with a brace my own. Vs working with plastic I just DIY my own brace idk y I tried 2 keep it stock.

 

[don_chuwish]

I’m curious how it turned out!

 

[Matthew Frost]

Most of those tops are an injection mold, you may get the two pieces to "stick" back together but the integrity of that brace is now nonexistent. I strongly advise you to scrap that tank. The only thing I would even entertain is cutting/removing all of the plastic and going with a eurobrace. But you better be good with the silicone.

 

[Skydvr]

No need to scrap the tank. You can get new trim pieces, either from the manufacturer or someplace like aquariumframeswholesale.com (over the edge).

Contact them and they will halp you out.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

I would at least reuse the glass. Sump, skimmerstand, acclimation box, refugium, sand box for QT, custom ATO. Or get some more glass, some silicone and add a eurobrace

 

[tgp4274]

No need to scrap the tank. You can get new trim pieces, either from the manufacturer or someplace like aquariumframeswholesale.com (over the edge).

Contact them and they will halp you out.

+1!!!!!!!!
i build my tanks from scratch and this is where i got my braceing

 

[NowGlazeIT]

+1!!!!!!!!
i build my tanks from scratch and this is where i got my braceing

A build thread on building a tank would be awesome!!

 

[Jamie7907]

Bracing isn’t structural anyway, the trim is for aesthetics only but if your going to keep it replacement trim is pretty easy to find just use care removing the old trim.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Bracing isn’t structural anyway, the trim is for aesthetics only but if your going to keep it replacement trim is pretty easy to find just use care removing the old trim.

Bracing is structural dude. whether it’s necessary or not varies

 

[cracker]

well just mybe, the front to back center brace is still secure A 75? need more pics of the whole top of tank . side to side isn't as important as front to back.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

The brace is applied on glass that is too thin for rated pressure also frameless tanks have caulk joints between glass panes. this allows more surface area to bond to for better performance. Weather or not your brace is necessary comes down to the performance ratings your tank is trialed and tested for.