DIY "brace" for 125 gallon

[rothenb1]

I recently purchased a used 125 gallon. The tank is very old so the glass is incredibly thick, and there isn't a brace. The tank came with a metal piece wedged into the middle to hold the glass tops, but it popped out while moving the tank, and now that I've put it back in the lids are kind of on an angle and it looks silly and we've got to be very careful when opening the lids so they don't fall into the tank.

I've been thinking about making a plexiglass "brace", fashioned like a modern-day aquarium brace, so the glass lids will be easy to fit on and will be flush with the "brace" when the lids are down.

Does anyone have any ideas about how to do this?

Thanks!

[rich311k]

Older tanks were not built with a center brace. I do not see why you could not silcone a cross brace in. It should be fine to hold up your hoods, be sure it is strong enough that it wont sag in the middle.

[rothenb1]

Yeah, I don't expect what I build to hold the weight of the tank. The glass is very thick so I don't think there will be a problem. Do you think plexiglass is the best bet, or metal or something different?

[Northernguy]

I have the same style tank! I have 6 sliding panels and some plastic track that they slide in.
I stopped using that after one of my oscars broke one.
I built a canopy and I have some plexi pieces that sit in that.
The cross brace is only for the lid.It has nothing to do with the strength of the tank.

[BIO-Linist]

Silicone doesn't bond to acrylic (plexiglas). If you want to use plexiglas it would have to be fastened mechanically.

[Northernguy]

I had considered getting some 1/2" glass slats and siliconing it across the center but it proved to not be necessary.The tank barely bows when its full.
I was looking for aluminum track for the glass lid because the plastic ones were bending from the weight.I was unable to find any.
The lid sits about two inches above the surface now.That gives my oscars room to grab food that is floating without hitting anything.They seem much happier about too.

[Lady Hobbs]

How about just building a canopy with doors that open in the front and you won't need those glass lids?

[rothenb1]

I'll talk to Sam about the canopy idea, it'd definitely look better. The only problem is that we live in an apartment so we're pretty limited with workshop space :)