Help!!! - Aquarium Advice

wabassoweird · 07-13-2006, 01:21 AM

I did something totally stupid. I cut the crossbar on the top of my 39 gallon tank so my moonlight would shine into the tank and the glass instanly bowed out. I need to know is this dangerous. did anyone else make the same mistake and knows a way to fix it. any advice would be appreciated

DarylF2 · 07-13-2006, 01:54 AM

My guess is that this is pretty dangerous! Glass isn't supposed to bow, and it might be near breaking. I'd drop the water level as much as you can, and see about repairing the tank ASAP.

fishfreek · 07-13-2006, 10:04 AM

Your risking the structural integrety of your tank by having the center brace removed. Tank manufacturers will use thinner glass because of the center brace helping hold the tank in shape. Having the brace removed puts extra pressure on the seals.

http://www.thatfishplace.com sells frames for certin types of tanks and you may be able to find a replacement frame there. If not your LFS may be able to order you one. You will need to take as much water out of the tank as possible. Remove the old top frame. Often times breaking it into small bits as you do it. Clean the top glass from old silicon and then applying new silicon to the top and putting the new frame on the tank. Allow 24 hours to pass for the silicon to firm up before putting water back in the tank.

wabassoweird · 07-13-2006, 10:45 AM

Thanks. My only option right now is to drain most of the water out and flue the crossbar back on with some silicon glue. when i get some money into my pocket ill pick up a new frame but do you think the silicone will work temporally

**roka64** · 07-13-2006, 11:39 AM

I'm not sure if the silicone will work, it streatches. Can you build a make shift bar with some wood something like a clamp...?

FishFrik · 07-13-2006, 11:47 AM

Quote:

I did something totally stupid. I cut the crossbar on the top of my 39 gallon tank so my moonlight would shine into the tank and the glass instanly bowed out.

Sounds like what i would do XD

Good luck fixing that tank

wabassoweird · 07-14-2006, 01:42 AM

Thanks for the help. i drained most the water out of my tank and order a new top from all-glass.

xkenneth · 07-14-2006, 05:58 AM

What made you think this was a good idea ><

wabassoweird · 07-14-2006, 11:16 AM

when i shook the crossbar it didnt seem like their was any tension on it. oh well the new top was only 10 bucks. Lesson learned

chelli · 07-14-2006, 04:02 PM

Ours broke and we didn't notice it until the sidewall of the 50 started to push the glass away and out and making a huge v-shaped gap on that one seam, it sucks. Glad you caught it before it caused more damage. You live and you learn.

07-13-2006, 01:21 AM	#1
wabassoweird Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 26	Help!!! I did something totally stupid. I cut the crossbar on the top of my 39 gallon tank so my moonlight would shine into the tank and the glass instanly bowed out. I need to know is this dangerous. did anyone else make the same mistake and knows a way to fix it. any advice would be appreciated

07-13-2006, 01:54 AM	#2
DarylF2 Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lexington Park, MD Posts: 184	My guess is that this is pretty dangerous! Glass isn't supposed to bow, and it might be near breaking. I'd drop the water level as much as you can, and see about repairing the tank ASAP. __________________ Daryl Forrest http://web.mac.com/darylf2

07-13-2006, 10:04 AM	#3
fishfreek Aquarium Advice FINatic Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2002 Location: Virginia Posts: 971 Images: 82	Your risking the structural integrety of your tank by having the center brace removed. Tank manufacturers will use thinner glass because of the center brace helping hold the tank in shape. Having the brace removed puts extra pressure on the seals. http://www.thatfishplace.com sells frames for certin types of tanks and you may be able to find a replacement frame there. If not your LFS may be able to order you one. You will need to take as much water out of the tank as possible. Remove the old top frame. Often times breaking it into small bits as you do it. Clean the top glass from old silicon and then applying new silicon to the top and putting the new frame on the tank. Allow 24 hours to pass for the silicon to firm up before putting water back in the tank. __________________ Remember dont tap the glass, your fish will think you're an idiot -Anonymous mother Check out our articles area. 30+ Aquatic articles for your enjoyment Are you in or around the Shenandoah Valley area? If so click here to join our regional forum. Looking for affordable web hosting? Look no more We have the answer Learn more about Coral Reef Conservation. Free photo hosting

07-13-2006, 10:45 AM	#4
wabassoweird Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 26	Thanks. My only option right now is to drain most of the water out and flue the crossbar back on with some silicon glue. when i get some money into my pocket ill pick up a new frame but do you think the silicone will work temporally __________________ 38 GAl fowlr 96 watt power compact fluorescent Bio wheel 200 power filter 100 Seaclone Protein Skimmer 45 lbs Figi Live Rock 1 Gold Striped Marron Clown fish 1 Fairy wrasse 1 Coral banded shrimp 20 assorted snails and hermit crabs

07-14-2006, 04:02 PM	#10
chelli Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Greenville, AL Posts: 77 Images: 3	Ours broke and we didn't notice it until the sidewall of the 50 started to push the glass away and out and making a huge v-shaped gap on that one seam, it sucks. Glad you caught it before it caused more damage. You live and you learn. __________________ Got fish?

07-14-2006, 01:42 AM	#7
wabassoweird Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 26	Thanks for the help. i drained most the water out of my tank and order a new top from all-glass.

07-14-2006, 05:58 AM	#8
xkenneth Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 134	What made you think this was a good idea ><

07-14-2006, 11:16 AM	#9
wabassoweird Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 26	when i shook the crossbar it didnt seem like their was any tension on it. oh well the new top was only 10 bucks. Lesson learned

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