Support brace emergency

Void760 · Mar 27, 2018

tupes said:
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...

I dont have a picture because its not one there but its the middle piece at the top of the aquarium that keeps it from expanding out

Void760 · Mar 27, 2018

tupes said:
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.

Wrll its being held by a bar brace which is working but is an eye sore

redfishbluefish · Mar 27, 2018

Void760 said:
Can u get that at home depot

I've never seen it at HD. You'll what either 103 or 108.....the 108 is clear and the 103 is black. Interestingly, I just did a search, and Walmart came up as a source.

Void760 · Mar 28, 2018

redfishbluefish said:
I've never seen it at HD. You'll what either 103 or 108.....the 108 is clear and the 103 is black. Interestingly, I just did a search, and Walmart came up as a source.

So do i just google momentive 103?

redfishbluefish · Mar 28, 2018

If you what black, yes.

HERE it is on Amazon

Void760 · Mar 28, 2018

redfishbluefish said:
If you what black, yes.

HERE it is on Amazon

Oh ok. I just googled it. I need momentive 108

redfishbluefish · Mar 28, 2018

OK, so now the bad news.....you'll want to give that silicone a good three weeks to cure. This is a supporting brace that takes a good amount of force, and the silicone needs time to fully set up. So you'll have to keep that bar clamp on the tank.

Void760 · Mar 28, 2018

redfishbluefish said:
OK, so now the bad news.....you'll want to give that silicone a good three weeks to cure. This is a supporting brace that takes a good amount of force, and the silicone needs time to fully set up. So you'll have to keep that bar clamp on the tank.

Thats fine...cant hurt...been on there for two months now. Now the problem is how to get this old stuff off because its like 3 or 4 products dried and hardned on there

Jeepguy242 · Mar 28, 2018

Void760 said:
Thats fine...cant hurt...been on there for two months now. Now the problem is how to get this old stuff off because its like 3 or 4 products dried and hardned on there

razor blade and elbow grease

the stuff you listed won't stick to glass that can't be removed with a razor blade

Void760 · Mar 28, 2018

Jeepguy242 said:
razor blade and elbow grease

the stuff you listed won't stick to glass that can't be removed with a razor blade

Ok thanks

bblumberg · Mar 28, 2018

Jeepguy242 said:
razor blade and elbow grease

the stuff you listed won't stick to glass that can't be removed with a razor blade

And after it looks as perfect as you can get it, use some rubbing alcohol to get the rest of the residue off.

Jeepguy242 · Mar 28, 2018

bblumberg said:
And after it looks as perfect as you can get it, use some rubbing alcohol to get the rest of the residue off.

This!!!

afuel · Apr 12, 2018

This may not be an acceptable option for you but I’ll throw this out there. I had a 75 gal oceanic tank many yrs ago that had a large chunk of glass break off that middle support. Since ran an open top anyway instead of trying to replace that piece I had a 3” wide piece of aluminum bent to lay over the top. It just went down the front and back the same distance as the top frame, maybe 1 1/2”. I had it black anodized to prevent corrosion. It lasted me for over a decade when I decided to get a bigger tank. Never had any corrosion. Gave the tank to a friend who is still using it today 20 yrs later

Rockit · Apr 13, 2018

As afuel said....
I was going to suggest an external metal support. Could easily be made to clamp with some adjustability. Easy to make for anyone with basic fab skills.
Imagine a "C" clamp.