used tank

[halkentjr]

I got a used 55 gallon on sunday. the center brace is long gone. would it be safe to use without? if not, how would I install a brace?

 

[daninmd]

I would install the base. does the tank have a plastic trim on top? if so, you can typically get a completely new trim piece to replace the whole top. or you could silicone a strip of acrylic to replace the top brace, based on how the top broke.

You can get 55g tanks really cheap, might be better to just get another used tank

 

[Becca]

We once reinforced a 55 with a metal strip of some sort that my dad bent to sort of embrace the top of the tank. Of course, when I was a kid, if you couldn't make it out of a coat hanger or a piece of scrap, then it wasn't something we needed :lol:.

 

[jonclark96]

I would definitely put in some sort of brace if you cannot replace the top trim ring. I picked up a used 55 with a broken brace a few years ago and test filled it before I replaced the trim. The tank bowed by almost 1 inch without the center brace. I don't know about you, but that was scary enough to make me replace the trim ring.

 

[halkentjr]

an inch sounds scary. this tank bowed 5/16 inch, filled. recently I rearranged a 10 gal and I noticed it was bowed when viewed lengthwise. so if they all flex somewhat... well I dunno. sounds like an experiment about to occur.

 

[daninmd]

sounds like a risky experiment... is the tank at least in an unfinished basement or somewhere where 55 gallons of water on the ground isn't a big deal? I had about a 20 gallon leak last year, doesn't sound like much until your carpet/padding sucks it all up and completely soaks an entire room. Yeah, that was a fun nightmare. couldn't imagine dealing with double that.

 

[cichlidaddicted]

I got a 125 and the top brace split at a corner seam I siliconed a two inch wide piece of glass to each side under the old trim. The glass I put in attached to 2in of the front and back pane and the whole side pane it was also siliconed to the trim piece on top. Tank is solid now no issues at all. It was leaking along the whole vertical seam. If it held a 125 I would think it could hold a 55. I used 1/2 inch glass you could probably get away with 1/4. Google fish tank physics to get the equations to figure out psi on the tank walls from that you van determine how strong your supports have to be. I have seen angle iron used over top of the old frame piece with success also.

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[halkentjr]

I thought i'd be busy tomorrow building a stand, looks like tank repair may be in the forecast

 

[Localzoo]

Where are you located I have a sheet of acrylic that you could probably cut and then silicone it to the center brace it does have some old silicone on it


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[halkentjr]

i'm way up in carroll co almost to mason Dixon line. thanks for offering. I will venture to town in search of some ghetto tank solution. scrap metal,re-bar, bungee cords...is Sanford and son still in business?

 

[Tony]

I know that you're already headed in this direction, but I would absolutely repair the tank (or replace it). The presence of a center brace is taken into consideration when determining the glass thickness.

Take a full 5 gallon bucket and dump it on the floor. It's a lot of water.

Now dump 10 more of them.

 

[Localzoo]

i'm way up in carroll co almost to mason Dixon line. thanks for offering. I will venture to town in search of some ghetto tank solution. scrap metal,re-bar, bungee cords...is Sanford and son still in business?

Well another option would be while at the hardware store get a metal bar and bend it so it fits over it but it will eventually rust. Or just look for sheets of acrylic or glass (since your building the stand just look around the hardware store when you go)


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[Tony]

I used to love Sanford and Son, btw.

Was probably too young to get most of the jokes, but it was one of my favorites.... along with Benny Hill.

 

[halkentjr]

tony I think youre too young to ever have seen the re-runs. I was recently called fred Sanford by my wife, we were at the landfill. "but look at it.i don't think it was ever used!"

 

[Tony]

tony I think youre too young to ever have seen the re-runs. I was recently called fred Sanford by my wife, we were at the landfill. "but look at it.i don't think it was ever used!"

Yeah, it probably was in reruns.... I think it was done by the early 80s when I was little. Good stuff for sure though.

 

[halkentjr]

well i'm sure everyone is dying for an update...a piece of angle aluminum has been purchased and hacked into subservience. the tank is filled again and there's no bow that I could measure. thank you to all who advised. I was also inspired (shamed?) by crhistine's post about her 100 gal, so I also resealed this 55 gal freebie. its holding water right now. it has a protein skimmer on it and a chunk of live rock. good thing my wife won't read this