Cracked crossbrace
 

Hopefully this is the right section. Doesnt seem to be a general section for threads...

I have a 180 gallon tank (72x24x24) and had a 72" metal halide fixture (3x150W) temporarily sitting on top of the tank while I was working on some things.

I have 2 large cross braces aross the tank (12" wide by 24" long) and one of the 150W bulbs was sitting directly above the crossbrace with 1-2" to spare. The light sat there for < 1 hour and I suddenly hear a *CRACK*. I hoped it was my pistol shrimp but it was too loud to be him. I find that one of the cross braces got so hot and cracked the whole width of the brace. I never thought about the glass getting THAT hot that it would crack 5/8" glass :redface:.

Is there a way to repair this? Is it safe to have a cracked crossbrace?
I know many people dont run cross braces at all and have tanks bigger than my 180. Im just concerned for the structure of the tank. I was thinking about glueing a piece of glass on each side or getting someone to fill the cracks with glue like they wound a windshield? Please provide any comments regarding my available options.

Thanks in advance

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...m/IMG_0516.jpg

Might be a good excuse to rip the other out and eurobrace the whole thing. I certainly wouldn't use the tank as is. For whatever reason the builder thought it needed them.

i agree fix it asap there is alot of water presure in there one mishap and poof your in the market for a new tank. i also agree with the euro bracing if you can have your tank not cycling water for 24 hours while the sylicone cures. you may hae to remove some water to remove presure on the sides to repair or if your extreemly careful you may be able to clamp the area to reduce stress as you repair.

just be careful bud.

btw really looking forward to recievingthe light you "had" tomorrow thanks again you'll have topost what your replacement will be

I somehow missed the fact that the tank is running. Thought this was a build in progress. I really don't know what you should do. The whole thing is under pressure even if you drain some. How new is the setup? I'd be tempted to transfer the livestock to some bins and repair under a no-pressure scenario but I've got no facts to back that up.

Oh boy, I didn't think it was this serious.

Forgot to mention, the tank is also eurobraced and is running.

i think if he dropped it down to a third he could put clamps oneach side of the area tobe repaired.. replace the glass and fill back up to run as it cures and carefully remove the clamps after the cure period it should hold fine concidering if it was to pop it would have by now the other 12 on the opposite side is just most likely working overtime to hold it all in place im assuming about 2 eet away

yes a thin euro bracing i know what you mean my 180 has it its very thin maybe 1"and a half it helps but is more there just tokeep the glass even across the top but with clamps on either side snug but not too tight tillyou relieve water pressure inside the tank

In my openion as my tank is a 180 glns and like your as you said its eurobraced.I would't worry about it and remove the whole broken piece from the middle.
Its only my openion I would as someone like Dave From conceptaquatics as he is a builder.

if its been like this for awhile dont stress too much just be careful of how you lean on the area and what notand get a plan together fro repair it is better to stress out your stock temporarily than lose it all.. a small chunk of glasslike that shouldntcostmore that 30 to 40 bucks even less.

you removed your pics from the light thread lol if you can post a pic of it