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Dan9554880 
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 Topic: 125 no brace?
Posted: May 25 2016 at 6:37pm |
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I just bought a used125 and for some reason didn't noticed that it didn't have a brace. It seems like it was made without one since the frame looks good. It's has 1/2" glass. From reading online they say that older tanks were not made with center brace since they have thicker glass. Can anyone confirm that? Or should I just silicon a piece of glass at the top?
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210 Mixed Reef
20 Nuvo nano reef
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LakeCityReefs
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Posted: May 25 2016 at 6:56pm |
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I would do a test and start filling it outside. You will see if the glass starts to bow outward. Fill it half way and check it. 3/4 and check it, etc.
Unfortunately if you do in fact need to silicone a brace it will take several days to cure 100%. If the glass is bowing too much it will stretch the silicone past its ability and break free. Keep in mind silicone can only stretch 50-100% over its original size.
I have worked with glass for 19 years and have erected many structural glass walls where structural sealant is one of the key elements tying the glass together.
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Here we go again
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LakeCityReefs
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Posted: May 25 2016 at 7:10pm |
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My guess (without running calculations) is that a 6' long unbraced tank should be 1/2" glass or thicker.
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Here we go again
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Dan9554880
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Posted: May 25 2016 at 8:29pm |
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It is 1/2" glass. Is bowing something I can see just with my eye?
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210 Mixed Reef
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Learn your tank, not the hobby
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Dan9554880
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Posted: May 25 2016 at 9:01pm |
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Tank is currently filled and I don't see any type of bowing. Also put a leveler on the sides and it doesn't seem to be off.
Should I called it goods?
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210 Mixed Reef
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Learn your tank, not the hobby
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1stupidpunk
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Posted: May 25 2016 at 10:05pm |
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Grab a tape measure and take a reading at the top of each sidend, then take a measurement on the center.
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jdinchak
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Posted: May 26 2016 at 6:48am |
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Do you have time to add the brace? May thank yourself later.
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180G Mixed Reef Tank
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Dan9554880
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Posted: May 26 2016 at 7:29am |
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Yeah I think I will end up adding one just to be safe. Will a piece of aluminum curve at the sides work?
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210 Mixed Reef
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: May 26 2016 at 8:21am |
Let's not just guess. Let's get technical. The need for a brace (and the strength of the brace) and the thickness of the glass depends on the dimensions. Is the tank 72" long X 23" tall or 60"x24" or some other dimension. To be sure we are dealing with a 125, what are the dimensions?
The formula: L" x W" x H" / 230 = gallons
Did it have a brace that was cut out? With a plastic frame it's easy to see the saw marks and shape of the plastic where a brace used to be. If a brace was cut out, it's not too difficult to re-attach a brace. If no, securing a new brace in the gutter is still possible.
Yes, aluminum is okay for a brace, but acrylic or stainless steel is better. Why? Because Al corrodes and we really don't want corroded Al in the tank. Condensation and splashes drip back into the tank.
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Chevmaro
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Posted: May 26 2016 at 8:40am |
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If it came as a rimless aquarium you don't need to add a brace. If the brace was removed by previous owner I would add one. Call the guy you bought it from and ask him/her. See if you can find out where they bought it and what brand model it is. Rimless I believe uses thicker glass which allows more silicone in the joints to hold it together.
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1stupidpunk
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Posted: May 26 2016 at 8:45am |
Pure aluminum(non-ferrous) actually has far greater corrosion resistance than steel. If you make it out of Aluminum make sure its made from ALCLAD, if you make it from CRES (corrosion resistant steel) you will want to make it from 301 1/4 or 1/2 hard. The life of either material will be greatly extended if you coat it with clear poly. I may not know much about reefs but I know a lot about metal.
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