snapped center cross-piece...

I have an old 38 gallon tank that is either home to a planted freshwater system or a terrarium for some slimy and scaly critters, depending on my mood and the needs of my classroom. Anyway, as the tank was being moved today the plastic cross-piece that spanned the top of the tank snapped. It was never a sturdy piece, but not it's gone entirely. I'm wondering if this is a major issue. Was this thing a support piece for the front and back walls of the tank? Or was its purpose more for helping to support the lid and lights? Any thoughts would be appreciated...

 

That piece is for support. The bigger the tank gets the more cross beam they put. Mine has one on the top and bottom. There is a way to fix it but I have no idea, one of the handy reefers here will chime in soon.

 

Well unless you make it a permanent terrarium I would try to fix it.
Sounds like you may be able to fix it with some acrylic bonding cement. Perhaps you can bond the piece back together then slap another piece of acrylic on top of that with some bond as well.

 

The way I fix them is to use a strip of Aluminum flat bar or acrylic and drill hole through them both and add some S.S bolts and nuts that is if the tabs are long enough ? If not then you have to span the tank from top rim to rim in the center and use short self tapping screws or you can just order a new top rim if you get the brand name or another make the same size.