Faulty Juwel brace bars

[Sparkymc]

I drained mine's

How did you take off the old silicone and clean the glass for the new silicone to go on,I.e was your tank full or empty when doing the prep work?

Just need to know so I can fix mine the same way.

 

[AquaBarb]

Just need to know so I can fix mine the same way.

I was lucky because i didnt have any old silicone to take off as there was none there to begin with i just cleaned the glass with warm water before the new silicone went on.

If youve drained you tank you can use a straight razor blade to scrape the old silicone off (can always hold a dustpan or a tray underneath to catch the bits)

Then get yourself some acetone to clean the glass.

Make sure the silicone is aquarium safe and id leave it to cure as long as you can (i left mine a week)

 

[Sparkymc]

Just need to know so I can fix mine the same way.

I was lucky because i didnt have any old silicone to take off as there was none there to begin with i just cleaned the glass with warm water before the new silicone went on.

If youve drained you tank you can use a straight razor blade to scrape the old silicone off (can always hold a dustpan or a tray underneath to catch the bits)

Then get yourself some acetone to clean the glass.

Make sure the silicone is aquarium safe and id leave it to cure as long as you can (i left mine a week)

Did you just silicone around the bracebar by itself or did you silicone around the brace bar and a blob in the middle when the gap was open where the original silicone should have went when it closes to the glass?

 

[Sparkymc]

Did you just silicone around the bracebar by itself or did you silicone around the brace bar and a blob in the middle when the gap was open where the original silicone should have went when it closes to the glass?

Sorry for being a pain,I just want to do it in the right order,step by step so I get it right.

 

[AquaBarb]

Sorry for being a pain,I just want to do it in the right order,step by step so I get it right.

I siliconed around the brace bar itsself. I just went around slowly so the gap got filled and got a good coverage around the edge.

Juwel say the brace bars are not a structural part of the aquarium therefore you will have no issues with the aquarium breaking in anyway but i felt better once i got them siliconed

 

[jaylach]

I siliconed around the brace bar itsself. I just went around slowly so the gap got filled and got a good coverage around the edge.

Juwel say the brace bars are not a structural part of the aquarium therefore you will have no issues with the aquarium breaking in anyway but i felt better once i got them siliconed

If this is not structural I would ask why they are there....

 

[AquaBarb]

If this is not structural I would ask why they are there....

Ohhh i did...apparently the brace bars are not a structural part of the aquarium....wait for it....

"They are designed to hold the shape of the tank"

Well to me thats sounds pretty structural

Bless them

 

[jaylach]

Ohhh i did...apparently the brace bars are not a structural part of the aquarium....wait for it....

"They are designed to hold the shape of the tank"

Well to me thats sounds pretty structural

Bless them

I have mixed feelings on this. Spars to maintain tank shape do not actually need to be structural supports. Fill a 50 gallon tank without such supports and sides will slightly bow out from the water pressure. Does not mean that the tank is in danger but could cause it to not quite properly fit a stand without actually causing any harm to tank integrity.

At the same time I would question any tank that has such supports that fail as to build quality.

 

[Dexter Leopard Frog]

mmm ok thanks that now explains to me why there is actually a maximum water level mark.
Too much may cause too much out ward force/pressure, doh, i didn't even think of that before.
The minimum level of course is self explained Thanks I will inspect and keep an eye on my support in my 180ltr Rio Juwel.

 

[Deleted member 149562]

One has to ask oneself...if nothing wrong with the design of these bars, why are UK aquatics stockists now able to supply replacement bars & glue packages....

Juwel Support Brace Bar Including Glue | From Aquacadabra

Juwels support brace bar are replacements for your Juwel aquarium. This is designed to stop your aquarium from splitting with the pressure when adding water.

aquacadabra.com

 

[Dexter Leopard Frog]

One has to ask oneself...if nothing wrong with the design of these bars, why are UK aquatics stockists now able to supply replacement bars & glue packages....

Juwel Support Brace Bar Including Glue | From Aquacadabra

Juwels support brace bar are replacements for your Juwel aquarium. This is designed to stop your aquarium from splitting with the pressure when adding water.

aquacadabra.com

Thanks now book marked in my browser incase needed in future

 

[Essjay]

When I had a Rio 125 I assumed the maximum mark was there to keep the water level well below the lights.

With these tanks, the lights are below the level of the tank rim and overfilling the tank could result in the lights being too near or even under water with disastrous results.

 

[Joxerb]

To all fishkeepers out here who said they have a problem with the faulty bracing bar system on large Juwel fish tanks - I too got the same response from Juwel i.e there is nothing wrong with your tank / enjoy your fish keeping. After several of these replies from Juwel, I asked the experts at Practical Fish Keeping. I sent them photos, and they answered and said there is a problem that needs to be addressed. Juwel now says they will do a repair job on my tank after previously saying there is nothing wrong.

Under no circumstances would I empty my tank, get another tank/vessel, try to keep several hundred euros worth of tropical fish alive, buy a new filtration system/lighting, etc, disturb a well-established environment, and eventually end up with a repaired tank. If I wanted a second-hand or repaired tank I could have bought one for a small fraction of the cost.

My advice; send your photos to Practical Fish Keeping (they have been very helpful in replying to me), don't accept a repair job as I am now offered and most important of all don't encourage anyone to buy one of these faulty tanks. If their robots cannot make the tanks correctly I wouldn't trust them to repair them. I hope this of helpful to you. I am now proceeding to make a claim for a full refund of my money plus expenses through the court system.

 

[jaylach]

This whole thread makes me wonder if acrylic tanks are not a lot safer than glued glass. I mean an acrylic tank can be molded as a single piece without any seams. Yes, they are easier to scratch but where is there a potential leak point? I've never actually had an acrylic tank but have to wonder if they may not be better in the long run.

 

[davros]

Are the acrylic tanks seamlesly molded or are they glued/ sonically welded? Abbeysdad's website has a link to a youtube interview with an engaging southern California aquarium shop owner who stated in their earthquake only the acrylic tanks failed.