55 gallon glass bracket broke

[Jimw]

Hello
I have a 55 gallon fresh water tank it’s old I re-caulked it but left the middle glass divider/ bracket alone then I think from the humidity/heater next to it caused one side to break off. My question is do I need it does it provide stability or hold the tank together or is just for looks, hold accessories or

 

[coralbandit]

You should re caulk it in place IMO. You should be able to easily notice the bow in front and back glass without it.
It is called a 'Euro brace' and is probably cheaper then a new top band.

 

[54seaweed]

My center brace broke off my 90 I crazy glued a piece of plexiglass on the top and bottom of the busted brace been holding up over a year , that brace serves a purpose to keep the glass from bowing , like coralbandit said it's cheaper than buying a new top rim

 

[Jimw]

Thanks for the input it’s not flush not there’s a small gap, should I fill with silocone or should I place a small piece of plexiglass as a shim? Because it broke and already shows a gap does that mean I lost it’s effectiveness in holding it together? I don’t think silicone would hold back all the water pressure if it was going to keep browning outwards or is this unlikely with the sides/corners heavily re-caulked? Thanks for helping a newb

 

[coralbandit]

I would drain the tank till the brace fits snug and caulk it.Wait at least a day or two for it to cure before re filling.
As for silicone not holding , what do think is holding the aquarium together ??

 

[Jimw]

I would drain the tank till the brace fits snug and caulk it.Wait at least a day or two for it to cure before re filling.
As for silicone not holding , what do think is holding the aquarium together ??

Thanks what I meant I was worried how long the silicone would hold together at the corners without the brace if this was a slow issue or something I had to fix immediately

 

[coralbandit]

I would get to it ASAP.
It is more likely the glass will break from deflection and stress then the caulk fail IMO.