tank structure

[grespania]

Hi,

While I am setting up external filter on my 3 FT tank, I realize that there is a glass frame on top of the tank that is too wide for the bend on the u tube for my hose. I removed one of the glasses on the width by a pen knife. Will that causes structure damage for my tanks?

[juggler]

Better not. That should be a bracing for the tank, right?
Usually the tank maker should have drilled some holes through the bracing for the filter pipes to pass through.

[vinz]

Kind of late to ask, no?

Those are not 'shelves' for you to place lights, etc. Those are braces to help strengthen the glass sides and prevent warping when the tank is full of water. This allows thinner glass to be used for the tank walls.

You've made your tank weaker.

Whether it will be too weak depends on the thickness of the glass walls. When the tank is full of water, check whether that wall remains flat, or it has started to bend/warp outwards.

I don't think anyone here can give you a definitive answer whether the tank is still safe. It's for you to judge and your risk to take.

[eddyq]

Maybe he had removed it already, and not wise to because it a brace to hold and held tank together.

[grespania]

Thanks! I think I have to find a way to glue it back and look for bigger bending radius tube.

[AA24]

Doesn't sound too bad.. you said that you removed the brace that is on the width of the tank.. if this is the case, then for a 3ft tank there shouldn't be any flexing/bending of the tank glass..

To put it back is no problem.. just scrape off all the silicon and re-apply... I have to stress "ALL" because silicon will not adhere onto silicon.. its got to be, in this case, silicon to glass...

Also, you can buy from a hardware shop the required glass cutting bit, with the right radius, to attach to a power drill and cut a hole for your tube... but I do not recommend this as making that hole will weaken the glass which is supposed to be a brace that takes on quite a lot of stress.. although, this is often done..

cheers..

[Shadow]

You better glue it back, get those silicon glue/sealant from LFS. Not that expensive, small size 32gm is around $2 to $3

[vinz]

Or bring the tank to a tank maker and ask them to put it back.

[grespania]

Thanks for the advise...