xabo December 17, 2017 Share December 17, 2017 (edited) Purchased this 220 less than a year ago and the top brace is already failing. Edited December 17, 2017 by xabo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xabo December 17, 2017 Author Share December 17, 2017 Another angle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami December 17, 2017 Share December 17, 2017 That's really unfortunate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom39 December 18, 2017 Share December 18, 2017 What type of lighting are you using? Do your lights provide a spectrum of UV light? Certainly not an authority in this subject but could this be a result of UV degradation of plastic? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/UV_degradation Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xabo December 18, 2017 Author Share December 18, 2017 400W Metal Halides........................do to the configuration of the basement/ductwork lights are aprox. 9"-10" above the tank. perhaps it's time to think about LEDs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami December 18, 2017 Share December 18, 2017 What type of lighting are you using? Do your lights provide a spectrum of UV light? Certainly not an authority in this subject but could this be a result of UV degradation of plastic? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/UV_degradation Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Great question. I'm guessing it's more likely radiant heat softening the plastic than UV exposure making it brittle. 400W Metal Halides........................do to the configuration of the basement/ductwork lights are aprox. 9"-10" above the tank. perhaps it's time to think about LEDs. LED's would certainly help redirect/reduce heat. You could also improve ventillation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xabo December 18, 2017 Author Share December 18, 2017 Wonder if using some type of glue/adhesive (JB Weld) will help to prevent additional spreading/breakage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyInVa December 18, 2017 Share December 18, 2017 Mine has a crack like that, but was due to my light fixture nicking it. It happened several years ago and have had no issues with spreading or anything else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tygger December 18, 2017 Share December 18, 2017 Do they sell replacement braces? In the mean time, maybe a couple bar clamps will help just in case... I put a piece of foil across my center brace when I had halides, but where yours cracked, it prob wouldn't have helped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami December 18, 2017 Share December 18, 2017 I believe that you can find replacement frames for the top. An old member, Coral Hind, has pictures of a repair that he did in the past on a broken brace. One of his more recent posts shows a picture of it, in fact. However, the break was not in the frame where yours is, but was an more in the crossmember. Search on posts that he's made lately and it may turn up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zygote2k December 18, 2017 Share December 18, 2017 That trim looks like it was overheated by the halide. I've had that happen to the same tank twice and then we stopped using the center halide and there were no more issues with cracked trim. It's not the fault of the tank, but the lighting application itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xabo December 18, 2017 Author Share December 18, 2017 Do they sell replacement braces? In the mean time, maybe a couple bar clamps will help just in case... I put a piece of foil across my center brace when I had halides, but where yours cracked, it prob wouldn't have helped. I believe that you can find replacement frames for the top. An old member, Coral Hind, has pictures of a repair that he did in the past on a broken brace. One of his more recent posts shows a picture of it, in fact. However, the break was not in the frame where yours is, but was an more in the crossmember. Search on posts that he's made lately and it may turn up. Yes you can buy replacement braces. In fact, I just sold the one I had on Saturday night......the night before I noticed the damage. I've had the brace for about a year and couldn't give it away....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami December 18, 2017 Share December 18, 2017 Yes you can buy replacement braces. In fact, I just sold the one I had on Saturday night......the night before I noticed the damage. I've had the brace for about a year and couldn't give it away....... Isn't that always how it works? You keep something forever (hoarding) and then finally toss it. The next week you need it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xabo December 18, 2017 Author Share December 18, 2017 Isn't that always how it works? You keep something forever (hoarding) and then finally toss it. The next week you need it. Yeah but...................the Wife doesn't see it that way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmerek2 December 18, 2017 Share December 18, 2017 Time to upgrade to a 500g with glass bracing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xabo December 18, 2017 Author Share December 18, 2017 The Wife would Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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