Eurobrace opinions

[jmatt]

I'm getting back into the hobby and am planning on ordering a new tank with Coast to Coast and was wondering what the board thinks about Eurobracing. Yea or Nay?

The tank is 48x30x16 tall so it's not necessary for strength (I think).

Of course I have been absorbing YouTube videos for weeks now and seen rimless and braced. Some folks have said the eurobrace is a convenient shelf when you're working in the tank. That, to me, seems like yer asking for trouble. One mismoved elbow and into the tank goes something you didn't want.

I've also seen folks say it aids with salt creep; I've seen other say that it's just another surface that has to be cleaned of salt.

Other cons: I've seen people with braces complaining about attaching lights (not an issue for me) and the braces getting in the way of powerhead wiring etc.

So, does anyone care to share their experiences or opinions regarding Eurobraces?

Thanks

 

[nereefpat]

The tank is 48x30x16 long so it's not necessary for strength (I think).

It depends on thickness of glass and how safe you want it to be. I wouldn't want a tank that big without some bracing, but people are different

 

[FishTruck]

I like it for a splash guard

 

[Bph]

Me to on the splash guard.

 

[kados]

I think eurobraced looks nicer than rimless. I've had both, would do euro every time.

 

[Tamberav]

My tank doesn't have a eurobrace but I would like one... splash guard and I use lids... and a lid inside a brace is way cleaner then sitting on the rimless edge. Unless you run an open top... rimless isn't as clean.

 

[jhuntstl]

I have a 4.5" eurobrace on my acrylic 30x30. I wish I had opted for 3/4" thickness and reduced it's width to maybe 3". I also would have had my builder drill holes for pump wires to pass through. I wouldn't go back though. I love having a place to set things. I spilled over the edge often with my rimless. Then I cracked the top corner with a pyrex measuring cup...whoops. Eurobrace would have taken that blow and been more easily replaced.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

I have both rimless and eurobrace, I like the eurobrace, every time i splash water over the rimless i think this, or all the times it probably saved fish from jumping! I've lost more fish out of the rimless, knock on wood not one out of the eurobrace. I have snails that crawl out of the rimless and dry up on the floor, this has never happened on the eurobrace. I can place the pellets on my eurobrace when feeding.

If the tank is up past your eye level and you can't see the brace then no problem, but the rimless absolutely looks the cleanest, especially when the salt creep and dust piles up on the eurobrace. If you let the salt build up on the under side of the eurobrace it can fall in coral and burn it, I try to keep the salt creep under it to a minimum by splashing it with the magnet cleaner once and a while.

The only thing I worry about is the par blocking but I really dont think it kills the par especially if you keep it clean and the lights low.

 

[vtecintegra]

3/4" glass, no brace. 1/2", I'd brace. I had a lot of bowing on a 1/2" glass 48" rimless (24"H), and silicone failure. I don't buy the splashing problem. Don't be sloppy. Eurobraced I've had, were always dirty looking. Keeping the underside of the braces clean was a pain. Current tank is 3/4" rimless with D&D Jumpguard. Great combo in my opinion.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

3/4" glass, no brace. 1/2", I'd brace. I had a lot of bowing on a 1/2" glass 48" rimless (24"H), and silicone failure. I don't buy the splashing problem. Don't be sloppy. Eurobraced I've had, were always dirty looking. Keeping the underside of the braces clean was a pain. Current tank is 3/4" rimless with D&D Jumpguard. Great combo in my opinion.

You better buy it, the splashing problem is real!

 

[vtecintegra]

I've got a rimless. I rarely splash any water over the edge when cleaning. Just have to pay attention near the top

 

[CoralB]

I’ve got rimless tanks now and have had no issues , given that your only 16 inches high and 30 inches deep 3/4 “ thick it probably wouldn’t be necessary . That being said peace of mind and depending where your putting it I might consider euro bracing for 30” deep going 48 long especially if your using the clear low iron glass .

 

[SPS2020]

I have both; braced acrylic and rimless glass. I'll take rimless any day; I LOVE the open water...like an infinity pool.

 

[jhuntstl]

I have both; braced acrylic and rimless glass. I'll take rimless any day; I LOVE the open water...like an infinity pool.

Accessibility is just fantastic on rimless. That is my only gripe with my eurobrace. I would go with a 1 1/2" eurobrace in the future. I don't care if it's an inch thick. Keeps the splashes out, but still can easily reach in the tank.