5” Eurobrace too big?

[Reefanatik]

So I am getting a quote for a 72x36x24 tank. I went with the Eurobrace option and the top braces were going to be 3”wide with two cross braces. I made a change and told the builder that I didn’t want the two to cross braces. They redid the quote and said the tank needed to have 5” eurobrace all the way around. I am worried about having shadowing around the top sides, do any of you have eurobrace that big? And shadowing issues? I currently have 3” bracing I see some shadowing, I’m sure 5” will be way worse. Thoughts? Pics below of current tank and shadowing under 3” eurobrace

 

[fishguy242]

hi,i do think 5" is too much ,almost half of width,i am not a builder ,others w experience w chime in

 

[TvanB1]

Depends on the builder but I wouldn’t have a tank that long with no center brace.

 

[Thaxxx]

If this is a glass tank, I would have them use Starfire glass. It's the green glass edges that is making the shadowing.

 

[najer]

As above, my euro brace is Opti white / star fire and I have never thought about shadowing.

 

[Reefanatik]

If this is a glass tank, I would have them use Starfire glass. It's the green glass edges that is making the shadowing.

Maybe wouldn’t be as bad if they didn’t use two pieces of glass on Eurobrace with the black Silicone in between them. Not sure if all tanks use two. LFS is checking to see if they can use the stainless steel trim to minimize Eurobrace size. My friends had the exact same dimensions tank except 6” higher and it has 3.5” eurobrace with no center braces. His Tank is like ten years old. Last 4 pics are his tank . First three pics are my current tank with 2 pieces of glass on top of each other and black silicone for Eurobrace

 

[MichaelReefer]

Depends on the builder but I wouldn’t have a tank that long with no center brace.

 

[Thaxxx]

Who is the builder?

 

[dadnjesse]

My tank is made by Miracles and has the one piece Euro Brace, I don't have any shading problems.

 

[Reefanatik]

Who is the builder?

It is Planet Aquariums. LFS is going to see if the Stainless steel bracing option would reduce eurobrace size

 

[Reefanatik]

My tank is made by Miracles and has the one piece Euro Brace, I don't have any shading problems.

Yours is one piece and is clear. Planet Aquariums uses two pieces of glass and black silicone in between them which basically makes it like black glass. It is what I currently have and have some shadowing with 2.5" braces. 5" would be even worse.

 

[Reefanatik]

TvanB1 said:
Depends on the builder but I wouldn’t have a tank that long with no center brace.

My friends tank (biggerTank) is over ten years old with no center braces and 3.5 eurobrace. It can be done successfully

 

[Reefanatik]

hi,i do think 5" is too much ,almost half of width,i am not a builder ,others w experience w chime in

Yeah, gonna try to find better option, different builder maybe

 

[JAMSOURY]

I’d prefer the 5” eurobrace over the crossbrace. I hate having to clean the crossbrace and not sure how much light it’s blocking out.

next tank I’ll probably be looking at those awesome nicely built reef savvy rimless tanks

 

[Reefanatik]

I’d prefer the 5” eurobrace over the crossbrace. I hate having to clean the crossbrace and not sure how much light it’s blocking out.

next tank I’ll probably be looking at those awesome nicely built reef savvy rimless tanks

Yeah, if I have to choose it would be the 5" eurobrace. Will not buy a tank with the center braces. I've had rimless before also and it looked great but I hated having to be so careful to not splash water out of tank and cleaning the top edges constantly.... they do look real nice though