210 Gallon Aquarium Help

[cookiehouse79765]

I am curious if a 210 gallon aquarium has to have a center brace. It has a built in overflow on the center of the back glass. And how would you recommend mounting two ocean arctic revive 247 over the top.

 

[lapin]

A center brace is used when a tank is made with a material thickness that is not thick enough to hold up with out one.
I would hang the lights

 

[cookiehouse79765]

Sorry forgot to mention the glass is 1/2 inch thick glass.

 

[ca1ore]

Assuming it is a mass-market tank like aqueon or marlineland, they all have braces because, as noted, the glass isn't think enough to go without. Remove at your peril. A rimless 210 would have 3/4" glass at least.

 

[cookiehouse79765]

I was told it was custom made for him so I’m not sure

 

[Celestion]

One wide thick or even double center brace adds loads of strenth to the tank , absolute must on a 1/2 inch 210 , and is better than 2 skinny ones as the majority of the glass flex is in the very center.

 

[Celestion]

One wide thick or even double center brace adds loads of strenth to the tank , absolute must on a 1/2 inch 210 , and is better than 2 skinny ones as the majority of the glass flex is in the very center.

Doubled up glass thickness , in the center of tank

 

[Jekyl]

Glasscages.com has a tank builder tool. Put in the dimensions of the tank on there. It will show you if it can be done or not and what the glass thickness is.

 

[Jekyl]

I would leak test outside either way. Get a measuring tape and check for bowing.

 

[Grill]

I've built several tanks from scratch. Without a doubt you want a center brace on a 210 with .5" glass. Most 210's are 6ft long some are 7ft. either way a center brace is needed. Aluminum angles and joining plates work well to brace the top of an aquarium. Here are a couple of 210's I've built both 7ft. Hope this helps.

 

[Celestion]

Wow Robo tank awsome with the superior cable brace system

 

[Breadman03]

@Grill, how did you set up the center braces? Are those cables or rods? I'm fixing to reseal an old 210 and was planning on eurobracing it, but your solution looks appealing. Thanks!

 

[Grill]

@Grill, how did you set up the center braces? Are those cables or rods? I'm fixing to reseal an old 210 and was planning on eurobracing it, but your solution looks appealing. Thanks!

Euro brace is an option, I think cables and L channel give the tank a more modern/industrial look. Not to mention much easier to obtain and cut material. Aluminum channels can be found at any hardware store... Aluminum Angle Bar I usually reseal large tanks 6ft or larger, depending on the size tank they have different lengths and thickness. As for the cross braces... Galvanized Steel Cable Wire Rope works well, again different gauges of wire and different lengths. There are kits you can buy but there is a section were they will cut the individual gauge and length for you. Stay away from the sealed Stainless Steel Vinyl Coated Wire because its difficult to work with. Joining plates are used to attach the cables and L angles together, again different sizes, shapes and thickness. I use J-B Weld Professional to adhere the joining plates to the L angles. Anything over 3500 tensile strength, they have a quick weld that I have never tried but should work. I work on tanks in the garage so be check the proper temps when it can be applied. Then some generic black oxide, nickel or zinc tops (cant remember) non rust for the top of the plates. Purely aesthetics. Here are a few more photos. One of my own built tank using low iron glass. If this helps anyone give me thumbs up. Thanks

 

[Uncle99]

I mount all lighting on a hanging rod, suspended from the ceiling.
My tank is a 6’ and I have no brace but 3/4” glass.

 

[Celestion]

Wow a brace right on the drill holes...lol

 

[Grill]

Wow a brace right on the drill holes...lol

Thanks for the feedback. Giving the OP advice on a question he had. Something I have experience with. Could you explain doubling up the glass thickness in the middle of the tank? Oh and Welcome to R2R.

 

[Celestion]

Explanation of two pieces glass , stacked ok.

 

[Celestion]

Explanation of two pieces glass , stacked ok. just me i slightly fail to understand putting holes in a tank that nice.cheers

 

[OldMark81]

Do you use anything between the angle iron and the glass or do you just silicone?

 

[Grill]

Do you use anything between the angle iron and the glass or do you just silicone?

Just silicone.