How To Repair A 125 Gallon Center Brace?

So I have an opportunity to buy a 125 gallon tank with stand for super cheap, in great condition, except the brace has snapped. Is it worth still buying it? Couldn’t I easily add a new brace with some glass and silicone? Or just try repairing the current brace by siliconing the broken edge? I really don’t wanna buy it if it has a big chance of snapping and busting all over my floor. Or if it bows really bad. I’ve seen Aquapros on YouTube, make a rimless tank and add a makeshift brace. Could that work? Thanks guys! Any advice is very much appreciated!

 

with some angle iron and a tig welder you can make a new rI'm really easily. You can also do a repair on the original depending how bad it is. You could also make a new upper rI'm out of wood and brace it then shoot it with some black plastidip.

 

link removed- they can make you one.

 

I've seen one fix where someone used a piece of flat metal (aluminum) and rivets to bridge the break.

 

Thanks everyone! I will be going to see it February 1st, and pick it up if I like how it looks. I might try silicone on an aluminum strip, and just put two on top just in case.

 

You might want to consider epoxy rather than silicone. Silicone cures to a flexible state, doesn't harden, and is not intended to take lateral stress.

 

Thanks everyone! I will be going to see it February 1st, and pick it up if I like how it looks. I might try silicone on an aluminum strip, and just put two on top just in case.

DO NOT USE silicone, as mentioned above. If you do once full tank will bow out and pop that silicone. Possibly blowing apart. Building a frame is best option. Epoxy may work.....but it's the lazy way to go about it and could fail. 125 gallon is 1400 lbs when full

 

DO NOT USE silicone, as mentioned above. If you do once full tank will bow out and pop that silicone. Possibly blowing apart. Building a frame is best option. Epoxy may work.....but it's the lazy way to go about it and could fail. 125 gallon is 1400 lbs when full

What do you suggest I do they? I don’t know how to weld iron onto the brace. The brace isn’t even completely broken. It is snapped in the middle, so it may be repairable.

 

What do you suggest I do they? I don’t know how to weld iron onto the brace. The brace isn’t even completely broken. It is snapped in the middle, so it may be repairable.

Carpenter here, if we could see what the tank looks like we could come up with suggestions. If you are going to need a whole new stand for it anyway the brace fix might not even be necessary if you just add supports in the stand.

 

Carpenter here, if we could see what the tank looks like we could come up with suggestions. If you are going to need a whole new stand for it anyway the brace fix might not even be necessary if you just add supports in the stand.

This is how the brace is broken. In another picture they showed that if you push it up, it will look completely normal. So epoxy or something may be able to fix the brace.


This is the whole tank, figured I’d post this also just in case it helps in anyway.

 

View attachment 401408
This is how the brace is broken. In another picture they showed that if you push it up, it will look completely normal. So epoxy or something may be able to fix the brace.
View attachment 401409
This is the whole tank, figured I’d post this also just in case it helps in anyway.

Totally not what I was thinking. Easy solution would be what someone above mentioned and use wood. Cover the top metal bracing with wood and add a wood center brace. If you know how to weld that’s all fine and good but not everyone has that skill set. Another option would be to pay someone to weld it... for something that size it really wouldn’t cost you much... probably $20 and a six pack of beer... if it is a friend doing it probably just a six pack lol. Another option would be drill 4 holes and get another piece of metal drill matching holes and just reinforce and bolt it in place

 

I would pass and look for a better tank.....There's a reason its "cheap". At this point...its best use is as a terrarium and not an aquarium. Do what you want.... but I wouldn't bother with it. Considering the extra time and materials there are way better deals out there. Good luck

 

How cheap are they selling the tank for? The $48 frame from Aquariumframeswholesale will make the tank good again. Do not use epoxy and expect it to bind plastic. A company called Weld-on makes glues for plastics. Weld-on #10 is for gluing different kinds of plastics together. You could buy a 3 x 18 x 1/4 thick strip of acrylic or polycarbonate plastic and glue it to the bottom side of the broken center brace.

 

It really just depends on what skills you have available, or possess. Maybe you don’t know how to weld but you are a carpenter. Or you don’t know how to weld but your brother-in-law‘s step cousin twice removed best friend knows how to weld and U2 are cool like that you can ask him. Or maybe you have a drill, A metal bit, and know how to splice in a brace (very easy it would cost five dollars) It really just all depends on what you know how to do or what your friends know how to do

 

Is there a video or something on how to do this, Calebgbart? If I had a video I could watch to get a better idea of what you mean, I think it’d be a lot easier.

The tank is being sold with the stand for only $225. Which is a pretty great deal for a 125 gallon. So buying a frame may be the best option.

 

Is there a video or something on how to do this, Calebgbart? If I had a video I could watch to get a better idea of what you mean, I think it’d be a lot easier.

The tank is being sold with the stand for only $225. Which is a pretty great deal for a 125 gallon. So buying a frame may be the best option.

To the best of my knowledge there are no videos. But it should be relatively simple. You would need a few power tools or at least access to them. You can get small bolts for chump change and strips aluminum for like $1 per foot (at Menards the smallest is 3 feet. I would cut 4 of them the same size as the brace... so 12-18 inches each. Placed top right top left bottom right bottom left. Hot glue them into place temporarily and then screw holes through for bolts... two per side per broken half so 8 holes total

Doing something like this will affect the ability of any kind of a light or a hood to sit in that space but it will add structural integrity. It would work as a temporary fix if you want to buy a new brace for the whole top half or it will work as a permanent fix if you’re fine with a hood not sitting down in the space

 

To the best of my knowledge there are no videos. But it should be relatively simple. You would need a few power tools or at least access to them. You can get small bolts for chump change and strips aluminum for like $1 per foot (at Menards the smallest is 3 feet. I would cut 4 of them the same size as the brace... so 12-18 inches each. Placed top right top left bottom right bottom left. Hot glue them into place temporarily and then screw holes through for bolts... two per side per broken half so 8 holes total

Doing something like this will affect the ability of any kind of a light or a hood to sit in that space but it will add structural integrity. It would work as a temporary fix if you want to buy a new brace for the whole top half or it will work as a permanent fix if you’re fine with a hood not sitting down in the space

Okay thank you very much! I will look into it,and figure out where I can purchase the right equipment. Thanks for the very detailed answer!

 

if it were me I'd spend 20-40 bucks at the website above for a new frame and silicone that bad boy on the tank and remove the old one completely.

 

Is there a video or something on how to do this, Calebgbart? If I had a video I could watch to get a better idea of what you mean, I think it’d be a lot easier.

The tank is being sold with the stand for only $225. Which is a pretty great deal for a 125 gallon. So buying a frame may be the best option.

That's not a "great deal" for a broken tank. In fact I consider it high for a glass tank. Depends on were you live but ...there are way better deals on CL right now.

125 Gallon Terrarium / Aquarium - Clear Glass - Must See - Tank Only! - $125 (Peoria)


125 Gallon Aquarium $135 (Tempe)


125 Gallon Fish Tank, Stand, Extras - $300 (North Scottsdale)


And these are not damaged

 

agreed. If it were me I wouldn't spend that on a broken one. I know prices vary depending on where you live but I bought a 135 with stand with a 6 month old fx6 filter, sunsun filter, $50 bucks worth of fish, and a 6 foot led light for 500. The fx6 filter was worth 200 by itself.

 

That's not a "great deal" for a broken tank. In fact I consider it high for a glass tank. Depends on were you live but ...there are way better deals on CL right now.

125 Gallon Terrarium / Aquarium - Clear Glass - Must See - Tank Only! - $125 (Peoria)


125 Gallon Aquarium $135 (Tempe)


125 Gallon Fish Tank, Stand, Extras - $300 (North Scottsdale)


And these are not damaged

It’s not bad deal at all, and it won’t cost much to fix it at all. There are no “deals” like that in my area, and this is definitely not a bad deal by any means. Easy $10 fix, and done. With a stand, and the tank. Also the first one you posted is a terrarium. Completely different price than for a fish tank.

 

It’s not bad deal at all, and it won’t cost much to fix it at all. There are no “deals” like that in my area, and this is definitely not a bad deal by any means. Easy $10 fix, and done. With a stand, and the tank. Also the first one you posted is a terrarium. Completely different price than for a fish tank.

We don’t see deals like that in my entire state. I live in South Dakota and you’re going to pay retail or close to retail for a used tank. Unless it’s from someone who just wants to get rid of that right now. Keeping fish isn’t as much Of a thing up here so there aren’t as many used tanks On the market.

That’s part of why me and a couple friends are going to try and get together and figure out how to build our own tanks

 

We don’t see deals like that in my entire state. I live in South Dakota and you’re going to pay retail or close to retail for a used tank. Unless it’s from someone who just wants to get rid of that right now. Keeping fish isn’t as much Of a thing up here so there aren’t as many used tanks On the market.

That’s part of why me and a couple friends are going to try and get together and figure out how to build our own tanks

Same. It’s hard to even find a local fish store here where I live.

 

How cheap are they selling the tank for? The $48 frame from Aquariumframeswholesale will make the tank good again. Do not use epoxy and expect it to bind plastic. A company called Weld-on makes glues for plastics. Weld-on #10 is for gluing different kinds of plastics together. You could buy a 3 x 18 x 1/4 thick strip of acrylic or polycarbonate plastic and glue it to the bottom side of the broken center brace.

At $225 that is a little high for a broken tank. If you can't find a better deal I would tell him about the cost of repair and make a lower offer. Order the replacement rI'm set and go with it.

We don’t see deals like that in my entire state. I live in South Dakota and you’re going to pay retail or close to retail for a used tank. Unless it’s from someone who just wants to get rid of that right now. Keeping fish isn’t as much Of a thing up here so there aren’t as many used tanks On the market.

Surprised to hear that. I'm in Wyoming and there are always lots of used tanks available at reasonable prices and sometimes crazy cheap.

 

At $225 that is a little high for a broken tank. If you can't find a better deal I would tell him about the cost of repair and make a lower offer. Order the replacement rI'm set and go with it.


Surprised to hear that. I'm in Wyoming and there are always lots of used tanks available at reasonable prices and sometimes crazy cheap.

When I lived in Rapid City I would occasionally see small Tanks for sale but never anything larger than 20 gallons I have been in Sioux Falls for about four months now and I’m seeing fishtanks but people are wanting $150 for a 25 to 50 gallon tank

 

It’s not bad deal at all, and it won’t cost much to fix it at all. There are no “deals” like that in my area, and this is definitely not a bad deal by any means. Easy $10 fix, and done. With a stand, and the tank. Also the first one you posted is a terrarium. Completely different price than for a fish tank.

$10 fix? How would you know that? Take road trip and buy a good quality tank. Buying other people's garbage is asking for trouble. How long has thing been setting dry anyway?

 

$10 fix? How would you know that? Take road trip and buy a good quality tank. Buying other people's garbage is asking for trouble. How long has thing been setting dry anyway?

Dude, calm down. It really doesn’t matter to you, I’m asking how to fix the tank. In my area, it’s the only deal. In your area maybe not. So please leave the post if you’re not gonna help, thanks.

 

Dude, calm down. It really doesn’t matter to you, I’m asking how to fix the tank. In my area, it’s the only deal. In your area maybe not. So please leave the post if you’re not gonna help, thanks.

"So please leave the post if you’re not gonna help, thanks." Oh, don't be so sensitive ..no problem here....I am helping. Having lived through the experience of being awoken at 3:30 am with 150 gallons leaking all over the house from a "good deal.". 1400lbs of water is a mess. To put that in a compromised tank? Make sure it's worth it. Over 100 gallons I only buy acrylic aquariums. I know how it is to fall in love with an idea and try to go cheap.......when maybe I should have just saved more and bought better. Its no deal at 3;30 am with a shop vac and buckets of fish around. Good luck

 

That's an easy fix mate get a strip of plastic or something and screw it on. Mate ive brought second hands tanks for the last 5 years. Just reseal them for peice off mind. Ive never had a tank leak on me and ive brought over 50 easy.

 

It seems like you've found some good advice on how to fix the brace here, but may I ask how old the tank is? I'm just curious because I'm pretty sure after about 10 years old so it should be resealed with new silicone just to make sure all of the seams on the tank are proper.