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Cross Brace Snapped

3077 Views 9 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  Staplesofficewar
The center brace on my bow front 90 snapped and there's a 1/16" gap between the 2 edges. I know this subject has come up before, so I'm familiar with how to repair it with a piece of acrylic, but I'm not sure if I should atempt to draw the 2 edges back together or not. I was thinking that a carpenter's clamp from front to back would draw them back together, but I'm nervous. Opinions please? Thanx
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I would not try to draw them back together. I have several older tanks with cracked frames. It seems as though the plastic shrinks with time, gets brittle, and cracks. I don't think the water pressure pushing out on the glass is what causes them to snap. In other words, I don't think that your tank is now wider than it was. I think the frame is just smaller. I would just remove some of the water to relieve some pressure, and repair it where it is. If there's a small gap, I'd leave it. That's just me though.
Some people have used aluminum rod or stainless aircraft cable to replace the centerbrace on their tank. just drill far enough back on the frame to make sure whatever bolt you use to stabilize the frame has enough meat to not tear out the plastic... just a thought.
I have to agree with EC here, But I don't really think the glass is bowed out but think the plastic shrunk over time and finally broke.
You can but a new plastic surround at your local pet store. Just empty half the water, take the old one off and glue the new one on.
I would measure to see it the glass bowed, if it did, clamp it back into dimension. ;)

Otherwise agreed with everyone else.
I would measure to see it the glass bowed, if it did, clamp it back into dimension. ;)

Otherwise agreed with everyone else.
+1
Hard to tell if a bow-front is bowing:eek: Check the rear pane and see if it is bowing. If not I would fix it with the gap. I've used acrylic and aluminum stock in the past (the acrylic was a better choice;) ).
Replacement Brace

A strip of acrylic and some weld-on glue ( I also used some nylon bolts)



I did it because the existing brace was casting an ugly shadow in my tank.
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