DIY bracing for awkward tank

[Tx Medic]

I have a 115 gallon 36" x 36" x 20" tank that I 3/8" glass I am resealing and the top trim/bracing is very old and basically isn't usable I am wondering if doing a "euro bracing" type on all sides with 4" wide 3/8" glass or if there is another option.

 

[Tx Medic]

anyone got any ideas

 

[Eric B]

The euro bracing is probably going to be your best option with those tank dimensions.

 

[Tx Medic]

do I put 2 pieces on top and the other two on the inside of the tank

 

[racin2438]

do I put 2 pieces on top and the other two on the inside of the tank

Your best bet is to do all the inter sides, not a brace going over the the top. You will want clearance for working in tank.

Look at pics of euro tank sand that will give you the best idea's .

 

[Tx Medic]

Your best bet is to do all the inter sides, not a brace going over the the top. You will want clearance for working in tank.

Look at pics of euro tank sand that will give you the best idea's .

Im not catching what your putting down. I don't get how I would do it without having a 4" lip on the inside of the tank at the top

 

[eww]

Actually with these dimensions and 3/8" glass you have a safety factor of 5 so you could actually go rimless with no worries. No bracing is really necessary.

 

[Tx Medic]

I was thinking about doing it but I contacted a couple custom tank makers for quotes on the same size tank but rimless and they all said it would have to be 1/2" glass. I would love for it to be rimless though it would be killer.

 

[Tx Medic]

Actually with these dimensions and 3/8" glass you have a safety factor of 5 so you could actually go rimless with no worries. No bracing is really necessary.

where did you find a calculator for rimless tanks?

 

[Reefing Madness]

DIY Aquarium Euro Bracing - YouTube

 

[Tx Medic]

Ive got it figured out plus that video has it wrong from what I can figure if the bracing is sitting on top it is not really doing much considering the silicone bond is what is holding the pressure I am going to put the bracing inside the very top and use 4" wide 3/8" glass just to be perfectly safe.

 

[Reefing Madness]

Once the silicone dries, its bonded, you aren't pulling it off, wether its inside or outside the tank, its just a matter of preferance there.

 

[Florida reefer]

We had a customer come in. Had a 55Gal. Long. Center brace broke, one hr. Later the front glass gave out. We told him it would happen, he didn't believe us.

 

[Florida reefer]

You could build a decorative wood frame, around the top. Just use some 90° metal corners. Know what i mean?

 

[Tx Medic]

I ordered the glass today costing me $110 for all 4 pieces I should have it done tomorrow.

 

[Gazog2]

We had a customer come in. Had a 55Gal. Long. Center brace broke, one hr. Later the front glass gave out. We told him it would happen, he didn't believe us.

A 55 without a center brace is a heck of alot different then what he is working on especially since most of them are underbuilt to the point that they have use tempered glass on all panels.

I would go with the euro bracing but I think that 4" is a bit much, I would go with 3" or even 2.5" if you are going to use 3\8" glass. I would put them all on top and have the ends cut at a 45 and use small squares of glass on the ends to lock them together.

 

[Tx Medic]

ok so I have made a slight mistake I measured my tank wrong... don't drink and measure lol. I have to get 2 new pieces made and I am going to just go ahead and get the tank drilled, which I have never had done before. Where should I have it drilled and so on I have no clue when it comes to this.