Braceless tank?

complexbooger · 03/11/2007, 01:47 PM

What is the largest New Condition glass tank i can fill with out the Black plastic brace? like if i were to buy a tank and take off the brace. Or is it just a no no.

=JonBlazes

Scottkelly911 · 03/11/2007, 03:29 PM

anytime you take bracing off of a tank that was made with bracing in the design of the tank, you're playing Reefing Roulette. I wouldn't even do it with those cheapy 10 gallon tanks. That's my opinion anyway. The ONLY exception would be an acrylic tank since the bonds are held together by melting the plastic together rather than using silicone based products which want to pull apart when under pressure. All that being said, I could have just summed it up by saying, don't do it

If you hate the cheap plastic bracing so badly, you can always go with glass euro-bracing, it looks much cleaner and does a better job.

BLANKENSHIP76 · 03/11/2007, 05:05 PM

Just buy a rimless tank from glass cages. They have no bracing or anything.

Thats what I am getting next, I also hate the black bracing at the top. It makes light placement more difficult.

pjf · 03/11/2007, 06:51 PM

I know of two types of aquariums without the black center brace:
(1) Glass Brace - I have an Oceanic Systems 75-gallon RR tank with a glass center brace instead of a black center brace.
(2) Euro Brace - Here is a link to a thread that contains a picture of a Euro-braced tank that does not have a center brace at all: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hlight=oceanic

SWSaltwater · 03/11/2007, 09:24 PM

The new tech series tanks by oceanic have no center braces but use a plastic euro brace design. Personally I felt oceanic has slipped in quality and the QC was horrible since moving their factory. One of the side panels was at least 5 degrees off plum with the edge of the front and rear panel. So inspect them extra careful. Lee Mar does not use plastic braces and still uses the glass bracing. I wish Oceanic never turned to cheap plastic crap like all glass.

pjf · 03/11/2007, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SWSaltwater
The new tech series tanks by oceanic have no center braces but use a plastic euro brace design. Personally I felt oceanic has slipped in quality and the QC was horrible since moving their factory. One of the side panels was at least 5 degrees off plum with the edge of the front and rear panel. So inspect them extra careful. Lee Mar does not use plastic braces and still uses the glass bracing. I wish Oceanic never turned to cheap plastic crap like all glass.

Who makes the best non-custom or semi-custom glass tanks?

Ideally, my next tank will have Starphire vertical glass, tempered bottom glass, built-in overflow, and quality control.

SWSaltwater · 03/11/2007, 09:45 PM

In colorado I would see if you have any Lee Mar dealers. Semi Custom made to size. Starphire available. Double bottom regular glass is much better then tempered. Otherwise the tech series is starphire but I would inspect it well.

pjf · 03/11/2007, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SWSaltwater
Double bottom regular glass is much better then tempered.

Why is that?

This thread about a new Oceanic tank with a cracked non-tempered bottom scares me: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1018434

GSMguy · 03/11/2007, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pjf
Who makes the best non-custom or semi-custom glass tanks?

Ideally, my next tank will have Starphire vertical glass, tempered bottom glass, built-in overflow, and quality control.

aquarium obsessed

SWSaltwater · 03/11/2007, 11:28 PM

i think Oceanic QC and quality are way down "IMHO" from their past. Thats what happens when someone buys a company with superior quality merchandise, lays off all the skilled tank builders and moves the manufacturing to a plant that was making cheaper quality tanks (all glass) to save a buck. Would have made more sense to move all glass to oceanics plant and make 2 kinds of awesome tanks. The Oceanic tanks now have silicon smeared up the corners, as if it helps if the silicon holding the tank together fails............ All that does is creates a crappy look as you scrap algae off the tank. The silicone in the corners don't last long unless you don't mind green near them. I hear some of the folks that worked at Oceanics texas plant have started a new tank company though.

I sent the Oceanic tank I order back to the manufacturer I was so disapointed. When I entered the hobby Oceanic was the cadillac of tanks and I hope for their employees sake they can reclaim that quality, but I refuse to sell a tank with QC like that and a stand that wobbles to a customer. IMO A kid climbing on the tank could have toppled it due to lack of bracing in the stand. At least 2 inches of play in it. I will order another tank down the road a bit to see if the quality comes back up.

pjf · 03/12/2007, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SWSaltwater
I hear some of the folks that worked at Oceanics texas plant have started a new tank company though.

Here's a news snippet about that:

"New Custom-Aquarium Supplier
GARLAND, Texasâ€”Dan Engmark, former national sales manager for Oceanic Systems Inc., has launched a new aquarium manufacturing company called Deep Sea Aquatics. Deep Sea Aquatics specializes in Custom Aquariums, mid- to large-size standard aquariums and supporting cabinetry. The company also provides design and logistic support to dealers looking for custom aquariums as well as larger, standard aquariums. These products are currently being offered through Lone Star Pet Supply of San Antonio, Texas. The new venture is staffed with experienced personnel in all aspects of the aquarium manufacturing industry.

For more information, call (972) 205-0700."
(http://www.petbusiness.com/?pg=contents&spg=frontline#6)

Seriously, does thick regular glass on tank bottoms fail less than tempered glass?

luke33 · 03/12/2007, 07:38 AM

I have a 125g 6' tank. Its fairly old but has no center brace in it. I've been using it for 2yrs and it works great. I think it is an odell, or something like that. I don't worry about any shadows from lighting.

pjf · 04/01/2007, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SWSaltwater
Double bottom regular glass is much better then tempered.

Why is non-tempered glass superior to tempered glass on the bottom of an aquarium? By "Double bottom regular glass," do you mean regular glass that is twice as thick or do you mean laminated regular glass?

Thanks!

shag26272 · 04/01/2007, 03:42 PM

like was mentioned before, these guys make trimless,braceless ,starfire tanks, they have standard sizes or can make custom, I will be using them when I upgrade next

http://aquariumobsessed.com/

03/11/2007, 01:47 PM	#1
complexbooger Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: CORE OF NYC-QUEENS~ Posts: 326	Braceless tank? What is the largest New Condition glass tank i can fill with out the Black plastic brace? like if i were to buy a tank and take off the brace. Or is it just a no no. =JonBlazes

03/11/2007, 03:29 PM	#2
Scottkelly911 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Venice Beach Posts: 426	anytime you take bracing off of a tank that was made with bracing in the design of the tank, you're playing Reefing Roulette. I wouldn't even do it with those cheapy 10 gallon tanks. That's my opinion anyway. The ONLY exception would be an acrylic tank since the bonds are held together by melting the plastic together rather than using silicone based products which want to pull apart when under pressure. All that being said, I could have just summed it up by saying, don't do it If you hate the cheap plastic bracing so badly, you can always go with glass euro-bracing, it looks much cleaner and does a better job. __________________ 12 Gallon Nano Cube DX - nano sized gobies, zoos & Shrooms

04/01/2007, 03:42 PM	#14
shag26272 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,088	like was mentioned before, these guys make trimless,braceless ,starfire tanks, they have standard sizes or can make custom, I will be using them when I upgrade next http://aquariumobsessed.com/ __________________ .

03/11/2007, 05:05 PM	#3
BLANKENSHIP76 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 827	Just buy a rimless tank from glass cages. They have no bracing or anything. Thats what I am getting next, I also hate the black bracing at the top. It makes light placement more difficult.

03/11/2007, 06:51 PM	#4
pjf Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,954	I know of two types of aquariums without the black center brace: (1) Glass Brace - I have an Oceanic Systems 75-gallon RR tank with a glass center brace instead of a black center brace. (2) Euro Brace - Here is a link to a thread that contains a picture of a Euro-braced tank that does not have a center brace at all: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hlight=oceanic

03/11/2007, 09:24 PM	#5
SWSaltwater Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Arizona, Tucson Posts: 1,119	The new tech series tanks by oceanic have no center braces but use a plastic euro brace design. Personally I felt oceanic has slipped in quality and the QC was horrible since moving their factory. One of the side panels was at least 5 degrees off plum with the edge of the front and rear panel. So inspect them extra careful. Lee Mar does not use plastic braces and still uses the glass bracing. I wish Oceanic never turned to cheap plastic crap like all glass.

03/11/2007, 09:45 PM	#7
SWSaltwater Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Arizona, Tucson Posts: 1,119	In colorado I would see if you have any Lee Mar dealers. Semi Custom made to size. Starphire available. Double bottom regular glass is much better then tempered. Otherwise the tech series is starphire but I would inspect it well.

03/11/2007, 11:28 PM	#10
SWSaltwater Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Arizona, Tucson Posts: 1,119	i think Oceanic QC and quality are way down "IMHO" from their past. Thats what happens when someone buys a company with superior quality merchandise, lays off all the skilled tank builders and moves the manufacturing to a plant that was making cheaper quality tanks (all glass) to save a buck. Would have made more sense to move all glass to oceanics plant and make 2 kinds of awesome tanks. The Oceanic tanks now have silicon smeared up the corners, as if it helps if the silicon holding the tank together fails............ All that does is creates a crappy look as you scrap algae off the tank. The silicone in the corners don't last long unless you don't mind green near them. I hear some of the folks that worked at Oceanics texas plant have started a new tank company though. I sent the Oceanic tank I order back to the manufacturer I was so disapointed. When I entered the hobby Oceanic was the cadillac of tanks and I hope for their employees sake they can reclaim that quality, but I refuse to sell a tank with QC like that and a stand that wobbles to a customer. IMO A kid climbing on the tank could have toppled it due to lack of bracing in the stand. At least 2 inches of play in it. I will order another tank down the road a bit to see if the quality comes back up.

03/12/2007, 07:38 AM	#12
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	I have a 125g 6' tank. Its fairly old but has no center brace in it. I've been using it for 2yrs and it works great. I think it is an odell, or something like that. I don't worry about any shadows from lighting.