Lighting and Euro-Brace vs. Center Brace

crvz · 11/16/2006, 09:26 PM

Alright, so i'm trying to budget myself in a tank upgrade. I've decided on a 5'x2'x2', and I had chosen a local builder to put it together. They said all the right things, gave me a great quote, 5 year warranty... and now they haven't picked up the phone for a month. So, I'm going away from them. I've gotten quotes for the Oceanic 156, which is the right size, so i think i'll just do that. BUT, the euro-brace will be $350 more than the center-brace (and about 4 weeks longer wait, but i dont really mind that as much). I do hate the center brace, partially because I was really planning to use t-5 lights. I already have 2 icecap 660 ballasts, so I will only need to buy new bulbs and reflectors (i was going to run with seven 4' bulbs over the 5' tank, which will cost ~$300) The tank will ultimately be dominated with stony coral.

So, I have a few options. Which one would you recommend and why?

1 - Have a center brace with the t-5 light setup (i feel i'll loose a ton of light through the center brace). Baseline in terms of cost

2 - Cut out the center brace once i get it and keep the t-5's. No added cost, but what's the added risk?

3 - Spend $350 more on the tank and be happier about keeping the t-5's

4 - Spend $450 more than planned on lighting and get metal halide system and use it with the center brace

5 - Spend $450 more on lighting for MH and $350 more on tank (not really an option, but i know someone would recommend it if i didnt put it down here).

I'd love tons of well thought out opinions or experience talking, and i'm going to order on Monday (November 20th) , so help convince me. Thanks!!!

crvz · 11/17/2006, 07:59 AM

Alright, after sleeping on it, I'm leaning on option 3. Option 2 would be my preference, but I don't care for an exploded tank in six months. Any input would be appreciated. Excellent...

TG420 · 11/17/2006, 09:39 AM

Hey. Why dont you plastic wled some 1/4" acrylic on the center brace bar, THats what i have done with all of my tanks.

It works well. Get the superglue with the aplicator.

-Andy

crvz · 11/17/2006, 09:46 AM

Are you saying to superglue the acrylic in place, or use weldon? I've seen that done, but I'm not sure I know exactly how to do it, or how it would hold up.

TG420 · 11/18/2006, 12:30 AM

I guess I dont know how well it would do on a large tank, but on my 65 its holding up fine. Weldon works great if ya got it and can use it.

I can snap pics if youd like.

-ANdy

scott058 · 11/18/2006, 10:50 AM

I would just get the euro-brace, You would still keep the warranty in place that way and would be happier in the long run after the initial cost of it imo

frank2926 · 11/18/2006, 11:13 AM

cut out the center brace replace it with thick acrylic and screw it in. You could probably even use normal stainless screws its not like they would be making contact with the water, but there are nylon screws out there.

11/16/2006, 09:26 PM	#1
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	Lighting and Euro-Brace vs. Center Brace Alright, so i'm trying to budget myself in a tank upgrade. I've decided on a 5'x2'x2', and I had chosen a local builder to put it together. They said all the right things, gave me a great quote, 5 year warranty... and now they haven't picked up the phone for a month. So, I'm going away from them. I've gotten quotes for the Oceanic 156, which is the right size, so i think i'll just do that. BUT, the euro-brace will be $350 more than the center-brace (and about 4 weeks longer wait, but i dont really mind that as much). I do hate the center brace, partially because I was really planning to use t-5 lights. I already have 2 icecap 660 ballasts, so I will only need to buy new bulbs and reflectors (i was going to run with seven 4' bulbs over the 5' tank, which will cost ~$300) The tank will ultimately be dominated with stony coral. So, I have a few options. Which one would you recommend and why? 1 - Have a center brace with the t-5 light setup (i feel i'll loose a ton of light through the center brace). Baseline in terms of cost 2 - Cut out the center brace once i get it and keep the t-5's. No added cost, but what's the added risk? 3 - Spend $350 more on the tank and be happier about keeping the t-5's 4 - Spend $450 more than planned on lighting and get metal halide system and use it with the center brace 5 - Spend $450 more on lighting for MH and $350 more on tank (not really an option, but i know someone would recommend it if i didnt put it down here). I'd love tons of well thought out opinions or experience talking, and i'm going to order on Monday (November 20th) , so help convince me. Thanks!!! __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet? Last edited by crvz; 11/16/2006 at 09:55 PM.

11/17/2006, 07:59 AM	#2
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	Alright, after sleeping on it, I'm leaning on option 3. Option 2 would be my preference, but I don't care for an exploded tank in six months. Any input would be appreciated. Excellent... __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

11/17/2006, 09:46 AM	#4
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	Are you saying to superglue the acrylic in place, or use weldon? I've seen that done, but I'm not sure I know exactly how to do it, or how it would hold up. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

11/17/2006, 09:39 AM	#3
TG420 Moved On Join Date: May 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 70	Hey. Why dont you plastic wled some 1/4" acrylic on the center brace bar, THats what i have done with all of my tanks. It works well. Get the superglue with the aplicator. -Andy

11/18/2006, 12:30 AM	#5
TG420 Moved On Join Date: May 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 70	I guess I dont know how well it would do on a large tank, but on my 65 its holding up fine. Weldon works great if ya got it and can use it. I can snap pics if youd like. -ANdy

11/18/2006, 10:50 AM	#6
scott058 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 180	I would just get the euro-brace, You would still keep the warranty in place that way and would be happier in the long run after the initial cost of it imo

11/18/2006, 11:13 AM	#7
frank2926 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: phila Posts: 1,645	cut out the center brace replace it with thick acrylic and screw it in. You could probably even use normal stainless screws its not like they would be making contact with the water, but there are nylon screws out there.