Help!!!!

ccallahan · 08/19/2008, 11:24 AM

My 180 gallon aquarium center brace fell into the aquarium last night. It appears as though the silicone gave way and the center brace fell into the aquarium. My lights fell into the tank also shorting them out, and the whole tank now has a bow to it. I fastened the center of the tank with two pipe clamps to prevent further bowing which has helped. I noticed this morning that all 4 pieces of glass have seperated this morning probably due the aquarium bowing and and the water pressure. I fasted a rachet strap to the center of the aquarium to prevent it from opening more. Is there any way to fix this?? Would it even be possible?? Would I be better off just buying a new aquarium?? Any help/suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Sk8r · 08/19/2008, 11:26 AM

I'd say get a new tank asap: no telling what seam will go next.

Michael · 08/19/2008, 11:56 AM

empty that tank asap, before it bursts all over the floor, sounds like you need a new tank

tuckrule · 08/19/2008, 12:00 PM

Definitely get that water out of there as fast as you can. You are begging for trouble, each minute you waste.

inachu · 08/19/2008, 12:34 PM

How does a center brace fall?!?!?!
Rust?

Michael · 08/19/2008, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by inachu
How does a center brace fall?!?!?!
Rust?

no the silicon sealant gave way, it perished

Amoore311 · 08/19/2008, 12:39 PM

I would go out and buy a new tank asap..... if you can't set another 180 up fast go buy some Rubbermaid stock tanks and drain the tank into those. That will give you some time to set the new tank up.

masonicman · 08/19/2008, 12:58 PM

I am nervous for u, Please go get a new tank now.

griss · 08/19/2008, 01:05 PM

Like the others said, you either need to replace the tank or move everything into some stock tanks.

Just out of curiosity, what brand of tank is it? How old is it?

ccallahan · 08/19/2008, 02:11 PM

The tank is about 2 yrs old. I was thinking of siphoning all water into the bathtub; store all live rock, hermit crabs, starfish, and clownfish there with two powerheads for current. Would this be a quick and simple solution till i get the new tank???

griss · 08/19/2008, 02:12 PM

I would be concerned about soap/shampoo/etc. residue in the bathtub.

Amoore311 · 08/19/2008, 02:38 PM

You can get 2 90 Gallon Rubber Maid stock tanks for like $70/each. Run over to tractor supply and do it that way.

Don't risk the bathub scenario with the shampoo and everything that could be in there.

atrox · 08/19/2008, 02:59 PM

If that seam went, its only a matter of time before the seams all give. if you need a quick fix go and buy some brute trash cans. Try and save as much water as possible and set some power heads in there. Then run to the LFS tell them your situation, and maybe they can work out a deal for you on a new tank.

Macimage · 08/19/2008, 03:32 PM

If you can't get to a Lowes or Home Depot to purchase some of their square storage boxes, such as Rubbermaid Roughnecks (which work better than trashcans, as there is more surface area for oxygen exchange), then the bathtub is better than having your tank burst. If you must use the bathtub, I'd clean it up really well, maybe even bleach it and then scrub it down with declorinator.

Joyce

tuckrule · 08/19/2008, 06:30 PM

If you must use bath tub, I would use vinegar and or bleach to clean, make sure you towel dry and let sit until completely evaporated. Also beware that in a bath tub you're seal will not last forever. It will leak slowly. So I would mark a fill line on the tub w/ tape or something, and make sure you add SALT WATER

Macimage · 08/19/2008, 06:58 PM

Quote:

It will leak slowly. So I would mark a fill line on the tub w/ tape or something, and make sure you add SALT WATER

Add salt water if it is leaking and add RO/DI water if it is evaporating.

Joyce

08/19/2008, 11:24 AM	#1
ccallahan Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 31	Help!!!! My 180 gallon aquarium center brace fell into the aquarium last night. It appears as though the silicone gave way and the center brace fell into the aquarium. My lights fell into the tank also shorting them out, and the whole tank now has a bow to it. I fastened the center of the tank with two pipe clamps to prevent further bowing which has helped. I noticed this morning that all 4 pieces of glass have seperated this morning probably due the aquarium bowing and and the water pressure. I fasted a rachet strap to the center of the aquarium to prevent it from opening more. Is there any way to fix this?? Would it even be possible?? Would I be better off just buying a new aquarium?? Any help/suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

08/19/2008, 11:26 AM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I'd say get a new tank asap: no telling what seam will go next. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

08/19/2008, 11:56 AM	#3
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	empty that tank asap, before it bursts all over the floor, sounds like you need a new tank __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

08/19/2008, 12:00 PM	#4
tuckrule Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Greece, NY Posts: 887	Definitely get that water out of there as fast as you can. You are begging for trouble, each minute you waste. __________________ Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't. Current Tank Info: 90G reef 20g sump 2/250mh 4vhos

08/19/2008, 12:39 PM	#7
Amoore311 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ulster County, NY Posts: 2,521	I would go out and buy a new tank asap..... if you can't set another 180 up fast go buy some Rubbermaid stock tanks and drain the tank into those. That will give you some time to set the new tank up. __________________ 30 Gallon FOWLR 2004-2006 90 Gallon LPS Reef 2006-2008 180 Gallon SPS Reef 2008-20012 100 Gallon Custom Rimless Mixed Reef 2012-2014 29 Gallon Biocube Reef! Current Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon Biocube, StevesLED Upgrade, Neptune Apex

08/19/2008, 12:34 PM	#5
inachu Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland, metro area Posts: 1,219	How does a center brace fall?!?!?! Rust?

08/19/2008, 12:58 PM	#8
masonicman Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 1,313	I am nervous for u, Please go get a new tank now. __________________ It is better to ask for forgiveness then to ask for permission.......... Current Tank Info: 75 gal mixed reef, 216w LED, Remora Pro skimmer, HOB fuge, 400w htr, ATO RO/DI, 90lbs LR and 1" SB.

08/19/2008, 01:05 PM	#9
griss RC Mod Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: In The Jungle (Wildwood, MO) Posts: 29,214	Like the others said, you either need to replace the tank or move everything into some stock tanks. Just out of curiosity, what brand of tank is it? How old is it? __________________ George Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder

08/19/2008, 02:11 PM	#10
ccallahan Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 31	The tank is about 2 yrs old. I was thinking of siphoning all water into the bathtub; store all live rock, hermit crabs, starfish, and clownfish there with two powerheads for current. Would this be a quick and simple solution till i get the new tank???

08/19/2008, 02:12 PM	#11
griss RC Mod Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: In The Jungle (Wildwood, MO) Posts: 29,214	I would be concerned about soap/shampoo/etc. residue in the bathtub. __________________ George Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder

08/19/2008, 02:38 PM	#12
Amoore311 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ulster County, NY Posts: 2,521	You can get 2 90 Gallon Rubber Maid stock tanks for like $70/each. Run over to tractor supply and do it that way. Don't risk the bathub scenario with the shampoo and everything that could be in there. __________________ 30 Gallon FOWLR 2004-2006 90 Gallon LPS Reef 2006-2008 180 Gallon SPS Reef 2008-20012 100 Gallon Custom Rimless Mixed Reef 2012-2014 29 Gallon Biocube Reef! Current Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon Biocube, StevesLED Upgrade, Neptune Apex

08/19/2008, 02:59 PM	#13
atrox Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Angelo, Texas Posts: 574	If that seam went, its only a matter of time before the seams all give. if you need a quick fix go and buy some brute trash cans. Try and save as much water as possible and set some power heads in there. Then run to the LFS tell them your situation, and maybe they can work out a deal for you on a new tank.

08/19/2008, 03:32 PM	#14
Macimage Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Quartz Hill Posts: 4,078	If you can't get to a Lowes or Home Depot to purchase some of their square storage boxes, such as Rubbermaid Roughnecks (which work better than trashcans, as there is more surface area for oxygen exchange), then the bathtub is better than having your tank burst. If you must use the bathtub, I'd clean it up really well, maybe even bleach it and then scrub it down with declorinator. Joyce Last edited by Macimage; 08/19/2008 at 03:39 PM.

08/19/2008, 06:30 PM	#15
tuckrule Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Greece, NY Posts: 887	If you must use bath tub, I would use vinegar and or bleach to clean, make sure you towel dry and let sit until completely evaporated. Also beware that in a bath tub you're seal will not last forever. It will leak slowly. So I would mark a fill line on the tub w/ tape or something, and make sure you add SALT WATER __________________ Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't. Current Tank Info: 90G reef 20g sump 2/250mh 4vhos