Rmoving A Glass Brace

[Ob1]

Hi All

I have a rena 150 (100gal) which has three wide glass braces across the top of the tank - they must be there to support the front and back planes.


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I had put a jewel background in the tank 2 years ago - that has now disloved - into little black pce...

I want to replace the background with another Jewel background (rock) however the sections do not fit in due to the glass braces- so I was thinking about removing one of the braces and installing the new background and then re fitting the brace - while fish and water present.

any suggestion or ideas on how to remove the brace and safefty issues?

 

[windsor-aquatic]

Don't, not with fish and water in the tank.

 

[Rooster]

If you "must" do this, then drain the water out to at least half way down the tanks... you can of course reuse the water AFTER the silicon has set on the brace.
The braces are there for a reason ! (to stop the top popping apart from the weight of water)

 

[littleimp]

As suggested you need to remove the water first.

A cheese wire is best to cutt silicon (only way in fact with a brace bar due to the silicon blob!!)

You can make one of these from a bit of fine wire and some wooden handles, some strands of normal household mains cable should do the trick but mind ya fingers & take ya time!!

 

[Ob1]

Thanks all


I will remove half the water, and remove one of the braces, How long will it take for the silicon to set?

I have the oportuntiy to cut the braces at two pionts (at each end) I can cut the black silicon which is sealing the a brace pce to the main glass panel (Front and Back) or the join between the brace brkt and the brace it self which sits on the to brace brkts (at this point I wish I could add a picture ) the second join is made of clear silicon.

which should I cut? the black which is direclty on the main panels or the clear which is holding the brace?

| Brace --------------------------------Brace ----
|-----
| brace brkt
|
main glass panel


cheers

Jason