Top braces broke

[H@rry]

I had both of the braces at the top of a 225 break some time during the night Thursday. A gap opened up about 1/4 inch.

I put a couple of clamps to keep it from spreading any more. I didn't try to close the gap back up, I just wanted to stop it from spreading and hopefully avoid a catastrophic failure where the glass panes lay down flat on the floor. If that happened I will be living under the Interstate bridge in a cardboard refrigerator box!

This is one of the corner joints. Look like the bond has been compromised.

I'm trying to decide if there's any way it can be repaired. Has anyone had any experience with something like this?

 

[Ultimateaquariums]

I'm pretty sure you can buy new frames, but I wouldn't change it with the water in it. Also, I'm sure once the seam starts to seperate it probably won't stop. If it was me I'd get a new tank. Looks like you have a lot to lose in there if it was to let loose.

 

[Reef Pets]

Thats horrible, looks like you have a great reef. I agree with Ultimateaquariums, you could get a new frame really cheap but I think it would only bandage the issue. The only real fix would be replace the aquarium or real the entire tank. I personally would replace the tank.

 

[H@rry]

Has anyone actually seen or know about a tank failing? Does it start leaking first or just come to pieces?

 

[droblack]

Brace broke on my old 55g and came home to find the front glass bowed out several inches. Couldn't believe that it hadn't gave way yet. Emptied out a bunch of water, then ran and bought a new tank, and switched em out. You would be best off getting a new tank, then fixing the old one and selling it. Lucky that you caught it when you did! Best of luck!

 

[H@rry]

How long do you think the clamps will hold it? I might drain about a quarter of the water out. I can move 2 or 3 corals and get by with that until I get another tank.

 

[Silveradositn]

Well Harry I Would Put The Clamps On The Ends Of The Tank Also In Other Words I Would Run 4 Of Them Front To Back Might Buy U Some More Time Maybe Dont Know If It Has Broke Braces And Started Spliting The Seam I Would Look For A New One Quick

 

[H@rry]

I drained it down to about the 3/4 mark. When I did that one of the clamps fell off. It scared me at first and then I realized that it had relieved some of the pressure. The gap on the broken braces pretty well closed up. I put the clamps back on snug and I think it will hold till I can get another tank.

Anybody want a big reptile tank; stand, canopy and all?

 

[Silveradositn]

Lol That Sucks So Bad Man Wish I Could Help Ya On This You Can Order A New Brace For It But That Doesnt Really Help The Split Seam

 

[H@rry]

I ordered replacement tanks today. They should be here in 4 weeks. It'll probably take me another week to get them ready. I think I have the tank stabilized now. It's in "survival mode". No return pump from the sump, no skimmer, no calcium reactor, just powerheads and weekly water changes. But the livestock looks fat and happy, like nothing ever happened. Of course, they'd look like that 5 seconds before the tank exploded.

I took down and cleaned all the equipment from under the tank today and emptied the sump.

Anybody want a big reptile tank?

 

[mltascp]

What are you replacing your tank with?

 

[H@rry]

What are you replacing your tank with?

2 180s and a 120.

 

[JR's Reef]

H@rry you could turn the time back on your lights to help slow down growth some. It might help some since you dont have your reactor running. Good luck and I know you will be back on track in no time and it will be a thing of the past

 

[Dace]

oouch, i've seen this happen before due to long term heat from MH before

 

[mltascp]

Wow! Are you going to have five tanks?

 

[H@rry]

But the thing about it is they broke right at the end on the brace where it connects to the side rim. It even broke off a little bit of the rim material. I would think if it was caused by the bulbs it would have broken in the middle.

Yep Monica, 5 tanks. The new ones will be in a horseshoe arrangement and use a common sump with a common skimmer and calcium reactor. I'm hoping this will simplify the maintenance as I'll be doing a water change on all of them at the same time.

 

[mltascp]

Nice can't wait to see them up and in action.