55 Gallon middle brace broke...How far would you fill up?

I have a 55 Gallon with the middle little brace broke. I super glued it back together....seems fine. I have never delt with a middle brace being broke. Has anyone ever had any experiance? How far would you fill it up with water?

my 75g comes without a brace.... did it break completely off??? broke in half...
glue it together... put metal brace over top. (like a span that drops tight over both edges) can be handled different ways...

With a metal brace it should be good to go and fill er up.

i've seen Fern's 55gl middle brace fix and it works 100% , metal brace, some studs with lock nuts and you are good to go... you can ask her for more details..

If it is the standard 48 inch span I have had one filled to the top for a few years now with no problem. It sits empty right now until my little fish room is complete (more to follow on that!) but the tank is just fine.

Keep in mind that from what I know there are actually two different kinds of 55 gallon tanks and one of them does NOT come with a center brace. Made by two different companies but I found this out when buying a glass top for it.

The glass never really seems to apply any pressure to the center brace anyway not to say it is not important but rather the brace itself even full appears to have no strain on it.

i just took one dwn that was full to the top

I have one with a broke middle brace and havent had any problems with it at all. It is full to the top.

I have had several frames break in the 25 years I have had aquariums. I have drilled 1 hole on each end of the broken frame and used the zip ties you can buy in the electrical dept. at lowes to pull it back together. You can fill it up, but don't pull on the front glass. If you look down the front glass length wise you will see the glass bow. A new frame cost about $20.00 and is easy to change. Just empty the tank about half way or more.

Kory your center brace serves a purpose because the glass is thinner now than before. It makes it cheaper to make. I have 55s with no center braces because they are old. Use the suggestion above. I personally have no experience fixing braces because I have none. My 220 gallon doesn't have center. Its an old Atlas tank made in the 60s.

For those who said it is okay to fill'er up 100% I totally disagree. He thickness on that 55 is will not suffice to withhold pressure. The center brace is there for a reason, ever wonder why most 40g don't have center braces? It's because of the height. I've had 55Gs where the center brace breaks, I usually go to a nearby glass shop and have them cut me a center brace that I silicone in place on the plastic one. I guarantee you that 55 will bow without a center brace and with the possibility of blowing out.. IME.

I super glued it and it is 1/2 way up. Testing it out.

Look at the bottom of the tank and see if the center brace there is good......Use a thin bladed knife to slit the silicone glue and gently work the top and bottom moldings off.....Clean out the old silicone and switch the bottom for the top re glueing them with silicone.

You can get 1/4 inch plexi glass from home depot cut it to size then get some small plastic bolts and nuts from the hardware, drill two holes on each end and attach screws,I would also added some aquarium silicone for extra strength.
this won't rust like metal and is a lot less noticeable or you can buy a replacement frame from Glasscages.

Hey every one I have a tank that is 12x18x36 or something like that i think it can either be a 35 or 40 but the center brace broke will this become a problem to fill it up?

Shouldn't be a problem at all. The less length there is to the tank IMO the less likely it would bow to the point of breaking or cracking a seal. so a 55 (48 inches) and your 36 I wouldn't see a problem with it.

Ok thanks I just want to make sure

If it makes you feel better do it outside and see of the sides bow at all.

Like I posted in this thread I just put the super glue on it and let it hold for a few days....I filled it up 85% and everything seems to be fine. Been up for about 2 weeks now.

Ill prob do it inside a bath too much snow outside lol

I disagree with filling it up if you see the glass bow, my center brace broke and the glass flexed like 1 1/2" to 2". What I did was emty most of the tank only left enouf water for the plants not to dry went to home depot they have aquaruim safe silicone that comes in a hand squeeze tube (cost under 5 bucks) took a razor knife and scraped off all the old silicone from the old brace (my brace didnt break just the silicone on one side gave out) and the tank then put a 2x4 on top of the tank resilicone the brace and use a clamp to hold in place and let dry for 24 hours. If I didn't make sense or you need a pic let me know and I'll post a few. I've also read of many people fixing their tank cwhips way too. either way will work IMO

The glass should never flex that much unless it was intended to be a reptile tank (thinner glass). The broken brace on my 55 and the glass flex is barely measurable. On most tanks I have seen that are less then 55 or so gallons the center brace has next to no strain placed on it. (you can still move it when full and there is play)

You can always try to repair the brace as others have mentioned in this thread all I am saying is that look for yourself. If you start filling it up and see lots of glass flex then stop and repair the brace simple as that. If your lucky like almost all the people in this thread you won't have any noticeable flex and the tank will be fine for countless years...