Calling acrylic experts: help me with a tank decision

caseymou · 02/20/2006, 07:12 AM

I have been offered a 125 gallon Truvu acrylic tank, stand, and hood at a good price locally. I am passively looking for something in the 6' 125 gallon range but am in no hurry to buy because my basement is not ready for the setup. The tank hood is not tall enough but I am able to modify for my needs. The tank has a single corner overflow with 1" drain. I also don't see this as a problem as I was planning on drilling a closed loop for the majority of my flow anyways. Please reference pictures below - My plans were to add a 2nd tier to the shallow canopy to give it an overall height of about 12" (currently 6-8" tall). I would also like to cut a 3rd hole in the center of the eurobrace for another MH light. There are 2 holes now but I think I will need a 3rd MH light or I will have dim spots in the tank. I spoke with a local about the eurobrace cutting and the wall thickness of the tank, he seemed a little concerned about bowing and overall strength. That was why he said the manufacturer made the top brace so tall was to support the thin sidewalls. I measured the sidewall thickness at between 1/4 and 5/16 looking through glue joint. My local expert thought (without seeing himself) that it was probably 3/8" metric import plastic. The tank size is 72x20x18. Can someone please give some feedback regarding their thoughts on bowing, strength, and my 3rd top hole? Thanks.

caseymou · 02/20/2006, 07:13 AM

The center space between the two top holes looks short in the pictures but it is not. Although I don't have the measurement, the pictures perspective shows it to be shorter than actual.

caseymou · 02/20/2006, 10:09 AM

bump - anyone?

caseymou · 02/20/2006, 03:58 PM

Is this posted in the right forum? No one with acrylic building experience?

NicoleRM · 02/20/2006, 04:41 PM

Maybe try the DIY forum?

caseymou · 02/20/2006, 08:12 PM

I guess so. Moderators, can you move this thread to the DIY forum?

integlikewhoa · 02/20/2006, 08:26 PM

I wouldnt cut a whole in the bracing. I think it will already bow and cuting that might be asking for trouble. Euro bracing it with such a thin acrylic already being used wont help much. Now if the tank was made of 1/2inch i would do it. My 125 5ft. long is made of 5/16. Its a clear for life. I had a custom sump built (50g) and i made it with 3/8 and a very small euro bracing which i didnt have to do due to the baffles and thick acrylic used. I wouldnt doubt your tank is made of 5/16 to maybe 3/8 max. I wouldnt put it past them thst its 5/16 either. I wouldnt cut the brace up much more on either one.

caseymou · 02/20/2006, 10:05 PM

Is your tank 6' long? If so, is there a dim spot in the center of the tank? I have always heard of the rule that 1 SE MH for 24" of tank, can this be stretched to only use 2 lights on this 6' tank?

caseymou · 02/22/2006, 07:04 AM

Any other opinions? I'll copy this to the DIY forum as well.

02/20/2006, 07:12 AM	#1
caseymou Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: West side of Indianapolis Posts: 373	Calling acrylic experts: help me with a tank decision I have been offered a 125 gallon Truvu acrylic tank, stand, and hood at a good price locally. I am passively looking for something in the 6' 125 gallon range but am in no hurry to buy because my basement is not ready for the setup. The tank hood is not tall enough but I am able to modify for my needs. The tank has a single corner overflow with 1" drain. I also don't see this as a problem as I was planning on drilling a closed loop for the majority of my flow anyways. Please reference pictures below - My plans were to add a 2nd tier to the shallow canopy to give it an overall height of about 12" (currently 6-8" tall). I would also like to cut a 3rd hole in the center of the eurobrace for another MH light. There are 2 holes now but I think I will need a 3rd MH light or I will have dim spots in the tank. I spoke with a local about the eurobrace cutting and the wall thickness of the tank, he seemed a little concerned about bowing and overall strength. That was why he said the manufacturer made the top brace so tall was to support the thin sidewalls. I measured the sidewall thickness at between 1/4 and 5/16 looking through glue joint. My local expert thought (without seeing himself) that it was probably 3/8" metric import plastic. The tank size is 72x20x18. Can someone please give some feedback regarding their thoughts on bowing, strength, and my 3rd top hole? Thanks. __________________ 30 oceanic cube with custom sump 1x250w DE aquamedic pendant ER 5-2 Current Tank Info: 30 cube

02/20/2006, 07:13 AM	#2
caseymou Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: West side of Indianapolis Posts: 373	The center space between the two top holes looks short in the pictures but it is not. Although I don't have the measurement, the pictures perspective shows it to be shorter than actual. __________________ 30 oceanic cube with custom sump 1x250w DE aquamedic pendant ER 5-2 Current Tank Info: 30 cube

02/20/2006, 10:09 AM	#3
caseymou Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: West side of Indianapolis Posts: 373	bump - anyone? __________________ 30 oceanic cube with custom sump 1x250w DE aquamedic pendant ER 5-2 Current Tank Info: 30 cube

02/20/2006, 03:58 PM	#4
caseymou Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: West side of Indianapolis Posts: 373	Is this posted in the right forum? No one with acrylic building experience? __________________ 30 oceanic cube with custom sump 1x250w DE aquamedic pendant ER 5-2 Current Tank Info: 30 cube

02/20/2006, 08:12 PM	#6
caseymou Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: West side of Indianapolis Posts: 373	I guess so. Moderators, can you move this thread to the DIY forum? __________________ 30 oceanic cube with custom sump 1x250w DE aquamedic pendant ER 5-2 Current Tank Info: 30 cube

02/20/2006, 04:41 PM	#5
NicoleRM Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 221	Maybe try the DIY forum?

02/20/2006, 08:26 PM	#7
integlikewhoa Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Arcadia, CA Posts: 1,381	I wouldnt cut a whole in the bracing. I think it will already bow and cuting that might be asking for trouble. Euro bracing it with such a thin acrylic already being used wont help much. Now if the tank was made of 1/2inch i would do it. My 125 5ft. long is made of 5/16. Its a clear for life. I had a custom sump built (50g) and i made it with 3/8 and a very small euro bracing which i didnt have to do due to the baffles and thick acrylic used. I wouldnt doubt your tank is made of 5/16 to maybe 3/8 max. I wouldnt put it past them thst its 5/16 either. I wouldnt cut the brace up much more on either one. __________________ I think of one later. Current Tank Info: 28G JBJ Nano for sale

02/20/2006, 10:05 PM	#8
caseymou Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: West side of Indianapolis Posts: 373	Is your tank 6' long? If so, is there a dim spot in the center of the tank? I have always heard of the rule that 1 SE MH for 24" of tank, can this be stretched to only use 2 lights on this 6' tank? __________________ 30 oceanic cube with custom sump 1x250w DE aquamedic pendant ER 5-2 Current Tank Info: 30 cube

02/22/2006, 07:04 AM	#9
caseymou Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: West side of Indianapolis Posts: 373	Any other opinions? I'll copy this to the DIY forum as well. __________________ 30 oceanic cube with custom sump 1x250w DE aquamedic pendant ER 5-2 Current Tank Info: 30 cube