Support brace emergency

[Void760]

I have a 100 gallon 48x18" tank that i bought second hand from someone. While bringing it home, the whole top shattered but the support brace in the middle just cracked badly. I removed the old glass and got a piece made the same size. Ive tried 100% silicone, gorilla glue, crazy glue, and this marine hold glue but nothing seems to be holding. Yes, i leave it on for at least 72 hours. Yes, i use a bar clamp to hold it in place, Yes, the surface is clean, yes the replacement glas is an exact fit. Nothing is working.

My tank is in its cycling phase now but it has 5 damsels and a starfish in it noe so i dont want to disturb it too much. Currently the bar clamp is what is holding it.

What can be done or is it someone in san diego area who can come and fix this???

 

[bblumberg]

Silicone should hold, particularly if you are clamping and giving it time. Give Trent at Crystal Dynamics in Oceanside a call. He might be willing to fix this, or at least advise you how to go.

 

[Void760]

Silicone should hold, particularly if you are clamping and giving it time. Give Trent at Crystal Dynamics in Oceanside a call. He might be willing to fix this, or at least advise you how to go.

Ok. I'll give him a try tomorrow

 

[JoshH]

So the tank in question is full of water at the moment?

 

[Void760]

So the tank in question is full of water at the moment?

Yes

 

[JoshH]

It could be excess moisture delaying cure times. Or even the tiniest bit of moisture on the surface while applying the silicone preventing the bond right off the bat.

 

[Void760]

It was totally empty the first two times

 

[JoshH]

It was totally empty the first two times

Definitely unusual. #Reefsquad

 

[Void760]

Definitely unusual. #Reefsquad

Yea thats what ive been told

 

[redfishbluefish]

What kind of silicone? Ideally you want something like Momentive 100 series. The other thing is that all old silicone needs to be removed....all of it...even a film of it....using razor blades, steel wool, whatever, because new silicone does not stick to old silicone.

 

[jsker]

is the middle support glass or plastic?

 

[Void760]

What kind of silicone? Ideally you want something like Momentive 100 series. The other thing is that all old silicone needs to be removed....all of it...even a film of it....using razor blades, steal wool, whatever, because new silicone does not stick to old silicone.

Dap 100% silicone

 

[Void760]

is the middle support glass or plastic?

Glass

 

[marioensf]

So, you need a replacement top trim piece? Those are available and are fairly cheap.
You also state the silicone is not drying? If the silicone you are using is past its date, will not cure as it is supposed to and doubt it will be structurally sound if it does cure. The silicone you can buy at major stores might not be the correct bonding product; Momentive 100 series is the common silicone to use.
Good luck

 

[redfishbluefish]

Dap 100% silicone

The DAP product is more a sealant than an adhesive. The Momentive 100 series has greater adhesive properties. I'm sure the Momentive would work for you.

 

[Void760]

Its not the trim...its the middle support brace

 

[tupes]

Can you post a photo of what exactly it is we are discussing on the tank so it might be a bit easier to trouble shoot...

 

[Void760]

is the middle support glass or plastic?

Glass

 

[Void760]

The DAP product is more a sealant than an adhesive. The Momentive 100 series has greater adhesive properties. I'm sure the Momentive would work for you.

Can u get that at home depot

 

[tupes]

Also, Id work on getting the tank empty. This issue I'm sure is putting unnecessary stress on other parts of the tank and this will be worse than it is now. The tank should not have water. Nor should it have livestock if it is still cycling especially a starfish.