Cracked top and bottom aquarium trim

[G-BO]

Has anyone had to replace top and bottom trim on there aquarium. On my bottom trim it’s cracked in half on both sites of the aquarium and on the top one of the cross braces are broken in the middle

 

[DanyL]

I’d remove the emergency tagging, it isn’t a running system with open seam which needs immediate attention.

As for replacing the frames - I think it’ll be easier and more cost affective to reinforce it instead of replacing the frames, which at least for the bottom frame would mean taking apart the tank and resealing it from scratch.

I’m not an expert in tank reinforcement, but I’m sure others can help and advice you what would be the best path for you.

 

[exnisstech]

I started to do this once but it was more trouble to get the old trim off than it was worth to me.

 

[Fish Fan]

I started to do this once but it was more trouble to get the old trim off than it was worth to me.

In my experience, and with smaller tanks, the top trim comes off fairly easy, but the bottom trim, not so much, and I agree, not worth the time and aggravation.

 

[Fish Fan]

Has anyone had to replace top and bottom trim on there aquarium. On my bottom trim it’s cracked in half on both sites of the aquarium and on the top one of the cross braces are broken in the middle

My bar for old/damaged tanks is quite high, and really I don't want to offer you bad advice here, but nothing that I see in those pics is anything I'd worry about. The bottom crack isn't great, but I still think it's fine. I can't even see a crack in the top frame, but maybe I'm missing something; my eyes are not so great anymore.

 

[G-BO]

I’d remove the emergency tagging, it isn’t a running system with open seam which needs immediate attention.

As for replacing the frames - I think it’ll be easier and more cost affective to reinforce it instead of replacing the frames, which at least for the bottom frame would mean taking apart the tank and resealing it from scratch.

I’m not an expert in tank reinforcement, but I’m sure others can help and advice you what would be the best path for you.

How do you remove the emergency tag. Sorry but using forums is brand new to me and I’m not sure how to navigate around everything and what’s proper tags, titles etc…it’s going to take time and patience with everyone for me how to learn everything like what’s proper and what’s not but thanks for the heads up on removing emergency, I just need to figure out how to do it. It’s very confusing for someone that’s not up with tech. It’s a 220 Gallon tank and it’s split on bot sides right in half on the bottom in the same spot on both sides. If I were to fill that tank with water don’t you think that’s going to to take the structural integrity of the glass and eventually blow apart. That’s a lot of pressure considering the tank is 72”L x24”c Wx30”H? Lol I’m not no expert but something tells me the ends are going to give out. Don’t you think??

 

[DanyL]

How do you remove the emergency tag. Sorry but using forums is brand new to me and I’m not sure how to navigate around everything and what’s proper tags, titles etc…it’s going to take time and patience with everyone for me how to learn everything like what’s proper and what’s not but thanks for the heads up on removing emergency, I just need to figure out how to do it. It’s very confusing for someone that’s not up with tech.

No worries, no harm has been done.
I just thought I would clarify what this tag is used for here on the forums.
I don’t think it even has any rules about it set in stone, but it is meant to grab attention on time-critical issues.

To remove it - you can simply click on the tags list on top and edit, but looks like you or one of the moderators already have done so.

It’s a 220 Gallon tank and it’s split on bot sides right in half on the bottom in the same spot on both sides. If I were to fill that tank with water don’t you think that’s going to to take the structural integrity of the glass and eventually blow apart. That’s a lot of pressure considering the tank is 72”L x24”c Wx30”H? Lol I’m not no expert but something tells me the ends are going to give out. Don’t you think??

I honestly don’t know and won’t be comfortable advising you to use it as is.
Personally, I would get advise from an experienced tank builder and likely would reinforce it with glass from the inside, building an inner frame.

 

[Tamberav]

I would reinforce the brace, that may be structural.

The rest is more cosmetic to cover sloppy silicone, unevenness, unpolished glass, etc.

people have done it various ways, epoxy, acrylic bracing over it, etc.

Here is one such example:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/tank-rim-cracked-or-broken-abs-fix.847536/

 

[G-BO]

I would reinforce the brace, that may be structural.

The rest is more cosmetic to cover sloppy silicone, unevenness, unpolished glass, etc.

people have done it various ways, epoxy, acrylic bracing over it, etc.

Here is one such example:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/tank-rim-cracked-or-broken-abs-fix.847536/

The same thing happened to except
On the bottom bracket too. I read in the comment someone saying the bracket are only for cosmetic reasons but that’s for me that’s hard to believe it has to but structural so the glass can’t blow apart I’m not no professional but as soon as that plastic splits like that the tank is definitely going to lose its structural integrity, maybe not on small tanks but when you start getting into bigger tanks like mine that’s 72”Lx24”Wx30H 220 Gallons. I’m brand new to this but with all that pressure of the water pushing all directions on the glass it’s a disaster just waiting to happen especially if it wasn’t designed to be a rimless tank, the glass panels could let go any second. First of all is there a difference between a rimless tank the way they’ve built or not before I sound like a fool. My question is why did they spit in the first place. Did the glass shift, twist, bow or not sitting level? I’m fabricating new panels out of aluminum and not taking any chances. I’m a plumber and use that ABS glue all the time but I think I’d use the JB-Weld because it actually welds the plastic together as on piece. Has anyone replaced both sides top and bottom before if so can you share your experience with me. Thanks and if anyone knows why it cracked top and bottom to share the reason why it happened in the first place. If there’s a professional aquarium builder that could answer all these questions it would be really helpful. Thanks

 

[Tamberav]

The same thing happened to except
On the bottom bracket too. I read in the comment someone saying the bracket are only for cosmetic reasons but that’s for me that’s hard to believe it has to but structural so the glass can’t blow apart I’m not no professional but as soon as that plastic splits like that the tank is definitely going to lose its structural integrity, maybe not on small tanks but when you start getting into bigger tanks like mine that’s 72”Lx24”Wx30H 220 Gallons. I’m brand new to this but with all that pressure of the water pushing all directions on the glass it’s a disaster just waiting to happen especially if it wasn’t designed to be a rimless tank, the glass panels could let go any second. First of all is there a difference between a rimless tank the way they’ve built or not before I sound like a fool. My question is why did they spit in the first place. Did the glass shift, twist, bow or not sitting level? I’m fabricating new panels out of aluminum and not taking any chances. I’m a plumber and use that ABS glue all the time but I think I’d use the JB-Weld because it actually welds the plastic together as on piece. Has anyone replaced both sides top and bottom before if so can you share your experience with me. Thanks and if anyone knows why it cracked top and bottom to share the reason why it happened in the first place. If there’s a professional aquarium builder that could answer all these questions it would be really helpful. Thanks

Plastic likely broke due to age, maybe was in storage somewhere hot and cold, etc. It's pretty common for it to crack. Plastic gets old and brittle.

 

[G-BO]

Plastic likely broke due to age, maybe was in storage somewhere hot and cold, etc. It's pretty common for it to crack which also further makes me think it isn't significant in holding the tank together. Plastic gets old and brittle.

What makes you think it has structural significance?

It could just be as likely that it exists to hide sloppy silicone, so it can go on their stands that have open bottoms and also so imperfection's in the stand won't crack the tank, provides protection to the edges, makes it so they don't have to polish the glass, also so they don't have to line up the glass perfectly since you can't see it, and provides a spot for them to place and sell glass lids.

It’s really hard for me to imagine silicone is going to be able to hold 220 gallons of water pushing on al side of glass, that an extreme amount of pressure and weight don’t you think? If the glass shifts because the silicone separated because of twisting or bowing etc. it should hold everything square. No??

 

[Tamberav]

It’s really hard for me to imagine silicone is going to be able to hold 220 gallons of water pushing on al side of glass, that an extreme amount of pressure and weight don’t you think? If the glass shifts because the silicone separated because of twisting or bowing etc. it should hold everything square. No??

My last rimmed tank, the glass wasn't even touching the far plastic on either end, had an annoying gap that I would drop salt creep into lol Bottom was just like... sitting in the plastic, not snugly. But perhaps some brands are more cosmetic and others structural.

I am not saying the tank can be run without a rim, I doubt the glass is even under there and it certainly isn't made to sit on the bottom pane. I would think the middle bar helps with bowing.

I would certainly patch it up. Removing those rims is a nightmare. I would buy a new tank before removing one on a 220g. I did a smaller tank once and.. never again!

 

[edd59]

i'm pretty sure the top braces are structual. especially on a tank that size. rimless tanks have euro bracing or very thick glass. my 120 is 5/8 glass, euro braced top and bottom and armor seams.
i would trash it, it would cost a lot more in damage and live stock if it let go. its the foundation of your reef and not the most expensive part. any 6' tank will bulge without bracing.

 

[FUNGI]

I wouldn't even bother......just heat weld some new plastic on to it...(tie wraps make a great source for plastic)
Soldering iron (harbor freight sells the plastic welder kits also....)

 

[FUNGI]

$14.99

https://www.harborfreight.com/80-wa...MI_YD_xfKsigMVrIVaBR3l0S8AEAQYAiABEgLsEfD_BwE