Kermit Posted June 12, 2005 Report Share Posted June 12, 2005 Hi all, i'm in the planning period for my new Reef tank the overall dimensions are going to be 1800L x 900w x 650d made out of 10mm glass maybe 15mm depends on the price diff but lets say for now 10mm, now i don't want to have center braces restricting access through the top of the tank and i've been on the garf site and all tank sizes i've put in come out with the same top brace width of 2" (50mm) i just want to be 100% sure as i personnally think thats a bit small for the size i'm going. Can anyone help me on a safe brace width? Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted June 12, 2005 Report Share Posted June 12, 2005 based on what i've seen, this is too small. why dont you do what pies did and use a stainless steel rod? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kermit Posted June 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2005 I'd like to beable to get away from any form of center brace if possible, i have concerns with the SS brace as posted in Pies thread. Thanks though. Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted June 13, 2005 Report Share Posted June 13, 2005 10mm is probably a little too weak for a 650 high tank. If you can go 12mm you will be much better off. 12mm for the front and back, you could still go 10mm from the sides. I'd use either 12mm for the bottom or 2x 10mm (use a smaller plate for the inside so it acts as the bracing as well as strengthing the floor). You will get far to much diflection without using a center brace, little doubt about that. Not sure why you would be concerned about using the stainless rod technique, but if you don't want to do this you only have one other option, glass center brace. Personally I would never go back to glass braces again, the SS one is one of the best features of my new setup. Pie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted June 13, 2005 Report Share Posted June 13, 2005 under no means should you sacrifice convenience for tank strength. i have about a 4 inch glass centre brace - while it is inconvenient by reducing light levels and making the tank (slightly) harder to access, i'd rather have it that way than have a broken tank - especially considering the investment that i've made and the loss of money and time i'd incur because of something that seems so trivial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kermit Posted June 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2005 Thanks Pies, Yeah i think i'll go 12mm now may then go 700 tall with that. As for bracing i'll have to think hard on what im going to do, might look at going to a larger size glass say 20mm thick by 100-120mm wide, hmmm damn braces. Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted June 13, 2005 Report Share Posted June 13, 2005 Thanks Pies, Yeah i think i'll go 12mm now may then go 700 tall with that. As for bracing i'll have to think hard on what im going to do, might look at going to a larger size glass say 20mm thick by 100-120mm wide, hmmm damn braces. 700 tall at 12mm will be fine. Regardless of the thickness of the glass, a center brace would most likley still be nessessary. 20mm thick would be cost prohibitive. I looked at 15mm glass for my tank, would have taken the cost over $10,000.00 in glass alone. I think you would be best to get over your fear of the stainless steel option. Its becomming more and more common, and is visiable on may over seas tanks now days. I have thousands invested in my tank, which is just a fraction of what I have invested in my home. If there was even the slightest amount concern in the SS option I would have done something else, the bottom line is SS is far superior to glass for braces. Remember it doesn't need to hold the whole weight of the tank, just support the existing strength. Good luck, be curiouis to see what you end up doing. NOTE: Going over 650 high has major disadvantages. Good luck Pie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianemone Posted June 13, 2005 Report Share Posted June 13, 2005 who made your brace pies?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted June 13, 2005 Report Share Posted June 13, 2005 I designed them, and had them made through the same engineering firm down here who made my frame. Cost to me, $110. the enineers I spoke to about it said the key is to use 2 rods 1 brace, not one rod. For larger tanks you would used 2x 2 not one brace with 4 rods. Pie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted June 13, 2005 Report Share Posted June 13, 2005 i wonder if i could swap out my glass brace for a ss rod setup now? would be easy enough cutting the brace out, just how to slide the rod to the centre. too risky? advantages are of course easier access and better lighting to the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HummingBird Posted June 13, 2005 Report Share Posted June 13, 2005 You'd probably have to install the rod slightly off centre, either that or set up a temporary brace while you removed the glass and installed the rod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kermit Posted June 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2005 I may have to go the SS way but i think i'll modify it like i mentioned here. http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/viewtopic.php?p=50056#50056 Only if i can't avoid it, not looking good so far. Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted June 13, 2005 Report Share Posted June 13, 2005 Yeah man, use your own design if you think its better. As I said mine is sound and working (infact working on 2 large tanks (1600 litres x2)). Garantee you will look back and go "wow that was an awesome idea, geezzz that pieman is one smart and good looking guy, i can't belive i though about not doing it. thanks pie you are the man". Or something to that effect Pie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kermit Posted June 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2005 Just to keep it upto date. Well i rung glasstech as they seem to be the cheapest by far and the prices for me are 10mm @ $120+gst/sqm and 12mm @ $165+gst/sqm, now the lady at glasstech gave me this info as for how they calculate the glass thickness required, just a pitty it doesn't have my size tank bugger. http://www.metroglass.co.nz/138.asp One thing to add to the site above is that the pressure of 6kpa for a 600mm deap tank is correct for fresh as the specific gravity of fresh water is 1.000 but the specific gravity of salt water is 1.025 (depends on tank salt specific gravity) so for a marine tank the pressure is 6.15kpa @ 600mm deapth. Another interesting thing is that glass weighs approx 2.5kg/sqm/1mm thinkness so 10mm=25kg/sqm and 12mm=30kg/sqm and so on. Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.