DIY broken brace in 55 gallon

[blur411]

I bought a used 55 gallon tank, and the center brace was broken. I tried to reapply it with aquarium silicone, and it broke off again a day later. I read that using a custom piece of glass would be best, so I bought that today and put it in with silicone. I'm hoping it stays, but for some reason I feel that if the bar broke after a day, the glass will too. Anyone have a similar experience, and have advice? Should I just buy a new tank?

 

[Wy Renegade]

Takes lots of work, but you can remove the upper trim layer and then order a replacement if the aquarium is a standard 55 made by one of the bigger companies.

 

[blur411]

So are you saying the fix I did wont work? What I was reading is that those bars break quite often, so I didn't want to replace with cheap plastic again for it to break again. Any other inputs?

 

[Mogurako]

Take off the trim get a piece of glass cut to span the gap silicone on. Then cut the appropriate notches in the trim to accommodate the new glass brace then re-silicone the trim back on.

 

[blur411]

I pretty much did this except I didn't remove the plastic, I just put it under the plastic part. Is this not going to work?

 

[Mogurako]

I pretty much did this except I didn't remove the plastic, I just put it under the plastic part. Is this not going to work?

No, because there's nothing keeping the glass from flexing.

 

[blur411]

The glass I put in there should be doing that, It is going across the tank, siliconed to each side of glass. I guess I don't see the difference.

 

[Mogurako]

If its resting on either side of the glass and glued in place then it should be fine. Let it cure for 24-48 hours and then slowly fill it up with water and see if it holds.