Cross Bracing?

JustinReef · 12/21/2006, 11:44 PM

I am setting up a new 65G that my brother was running for the past year. He cut out the cross brace in the middle and insists that it is fine without it. I worry. I think the tank is possibly going to bow way too much and eventually give out...maybe I just worry too much though!

Here are the tank dimensions: 36x25x18 with 5/16th thick glass. I am a bit worried about the height, I think if it were long, I would be fine.

Any thoughts on NOT having a cross brace? If you do recommend I make one, can you please give me ideas on how and what to use. I was thinking I would use a 3" wide piece of either acrylic or glass and silicone it. Any thoughts on that idea?

I would prefer not to build a cross brace but if necessary can.

Thanks

Justin

AndyB4784 · 12/21/2006, 11:48 PM

i would def have a cross brace. at the store i work at we have a 50b(same footprint but shorter). that has the cross brace missing and it has a definate bow. i've heard of people not having them on their tanks but i'd be hesitant to do it in my living room.

tkeracer619 · 12/21/2006, 11:50 PM

I would put an acrylic brace on it. For good measure.

JustinReef · 12/21/2006, 11:53 PM

Ok, I think I will go with an acrylic brace. How would you recommend I silcone it? I have heard of people just siliconing the piece right on top of the tank (if that makes sense) instead of just on the inside. Any thoughts on this?

tkeracer619 · 12/22/2006, 12:03 AM

silicone and acrylic do not work together very well. Especially not in tension.

If there is a way to get plastic bolts to hold the brace that would work well along with some epoxy. It all really depends on what you have to work with as to how you secure it.

Check out the DIY forum and do a search for it. Lots of stuff will pop up most likely.

Is your avitar from that short video about a puffer trying to get a meal??

JustinReef · 12/22/2006, 12:11 AM

Yeah, that was my student film from school.

I am not the best with DIY stuff, so I am looking for the easiest way to do this...Would Glass be better as a brace? Or am I way off???

JustinReef · 12/22/2006, 10:21 AM

Anyone have a good simple idea for this???

tedu · 12/22/2006, 11:21 AM

Look at this:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...00#post7639100

JustinReef · 12/22/2006, 12:35 PM

Ok, that helped a lot actually. Still wondering though about one thing. Would it make sense to silicone a cross brace, in the middle, just under the plastic trim (glass on glass). Would this help very much? I think at this point, this would be the easiest way for me.

izau3138 · 12/22/2006, 01:53 PM

I believe you can order the whole unit that would go on the top of the tank with the brace included from a LFS. Doesn't cost that much.

JustinReef · 12/22/2006, 02:37 PM

OK. Anyone have an answer to the glass on glass brace?

JustinReef · 12/23/2006, 12:04 AM

So I spoke to someone today who told me that putting a glass brace just under the plastic rim at the top would be useless. I am very confused but he said that silicone supports no tensile load and that is why they put the plastic rim and brace on top. This makes no sense to me! Is he right though????

12/21/2006, 11:44 PM	#1
JustinReef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,715	Cross Bracing? I am setting up a new 65G that my brother was running for the past year. He cut out the cross brace in the middle and insists that it is fine without it. I worry. I think the tank is possibly going to bow way too much and eventually give out...maybe I just worry too much though! Here are the tank dimensions: 36x25x18 with 5/16th thick glass. I am a bit worried about the height, I think if it were long, I would be fine. Any thoughts on NOT having a cross brace? If you do recommend I make one, can you please give me ideas on how and what to use. I was thinking I would use a 3" wide piece of either acrylic or glass and silicone it. Any thoughts on that idea? I would prefer not to build a cross brace but if necessary can. Thanks Justin

12/21/2006, 11:50 PM	#3
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	I would put an acrylic brace on it. For good measure. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

12/22/2006, 12:03 AM	#5
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	silicone and acrylic do not work together very well. Especially not in tension. If there is a way to get plastic bolts to hold the brace that would work well along with some epoxy. It all really depends on what you have to work with as to how you secure it. Check out the DIY forum and do a search for it. Lots of stuff will pop up most likely. Is your avitar from that short video about a puffer trying to get a meal?? __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

12/21/2006, 11:48 PM	#2
AndyB4784 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: lansing, mi Posts: 309	i would def have a cross brace. at the store i work at we have a 50b(same footprint but shorter). that has the cross brace missing and it has a definate bow. i've heard of people not having them on their tanks but i'd be hesitant to do it in my living room.

12/21/2006, 11:53 PM	#4
JustinReef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,715	Ok, I think I will go with an acrylic brace. How would you recommend I silcone it? I have heard of people just siliconing the piece right on top of the tank (if that makes sense) instead of just on the inside. Any thoughts on this?

12/22/2006, 12:11 AM	#6
JustinReef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,715	Yeah, that was my student film from school. I am not the best with DIY stuff, so I am looking for the easiest way to do this...Would Glass be better as a brace? Or am I way off???

12/22/2006, 10:21 AM	#7
JustinReef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,715	Anyone have a good simple idea for this???

12/22/2006, 11:21 AM	#8
tedu Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Dunwoody, GA USA Posts: 262	Look at this: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...00#post7639100

12/22/2006, 12:35 PM	#9
JustinReef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,715	Ok, that helped a lot actually. Still wondering though about one thing. Would it make sense to silicone a cross brace, in the middle, just under the plastic trim (glass on glass). Would this help very much? I think at this point, this would be the easiest way for me.

12/22/2006, 01:53 PM	#10
izau3138 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 106	I believe you can order the whole unit that would go on the top of the tank with the brace included from a LFS. Doesn't cost that much.

12/22/2006, 02:37 PM	#11
JustinReef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,715	OK. Anyone have an answer to the glass on glass brace?

12/23/2006, 12:04 AM	#12
JustinReef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,715	So I spoke to someone today who told me that putting a glass brace just under the plastic rim at the top would be useless. I am very confused but he said that silicone supports no tensile load and that is why they put the plastic rim and brace on top. This makes no sense to me! Is he right though????