Neptunes 125 Reef Diary.

[veni vidi vici]

Originally Posted by King_Neptune
http:///forum/post/2943240
On glass tanks the braces are just to hold lids and lights. They have no structure beyond that purpose.
On acrylic tanks, the brackets are structural and hold the rim from bowing out from the weight of the water. It's probably not going to break (acrylic doesn't shatter), but it could permanently deform over time.
That is incorrect. You need the cross braces,or you are going to have a problem.

 

[nigerbang]

Originally Posted by King_Neptune
http:///forum/post/2943240
On glass tanks the braces are just to hold lids and lights. They have no structure beyond that purpose.
On acrylic tanks, the brackets are structural and hold the rim from bowing out from the weight of the water. It's probably not going to break (acrylic doesn't shatter), but it could permanently deform over time.
Who told you that?
The center braces are used to support the give in tanks.. Look at an old tank with a center brace.. They will sag when empty and be pulled tight when full of water...
Nvrmind.. I saw where you got that.. A straight copy and paste from fishlore

 

[king_neptune]

And its a glass tank. Not acrylic.

 

[nigerbang]

Yeah, I know its a glass tank.. Did you fill it up and leak test it?
At the very least there is a real good chance it will bow..

 

[veni vidi vici]

Easiest way to find out is to fill it with water and watch it bow.Over time your silicone seams are going to fail.Probably sooner rather than later.
After you fill it up and see it bow you can then drain it and put some braces on it though.How thick is the glass?

 

[wattsupdoc]

I would not use this aquarioum the way it is. Put some braces on it MAYBE??? How thick is the glass actually????

 

[nigerbang]

Originally Posted by Veni Vidi Vici
http:///forum/post/2943302
Easiest way to find out is to fill it with water and watch it bow.Over time your silicone seams are going to fail.Probably sooner rather than later.
After you fill it up and see it bow you can then drain it and put some braces on it though.How thick is the glass?
I think he said 3/8"
Lemme measure the glass on my 120 real quick....
1/2" with a center brace on top..

 

[king_neptune]

Ill fill it up in the morning. I wasn't concerned about leaks because they can be remedied via silicone.
The bowing thing is a different matter. Ill tie a string to each corner and gauge it from there. I don't see too much problem ...I can always weld/glue something across the middle.

 

[pbnj]

Originally Posted by King_Neptune
http:///forum/post/2943240
On glass tanks the braces are just to hold lids and lights. They have no structure beyond that purpose.
On acrylic tanks, the brackets are structural and hold the rim from bowing out from the weight of the water. It's probably not going to break (acrylic doesn't shatter), but it could permanently deform over time.
Dude, I don't know. My brother once tried to fill a 55g glass tank that had a cracked center brace. It quickly became a bowfront/back tank.

 

[nigerbang]

Originally Posted by King_Neptune
http:///forum/post/2943308
Ill fill it up in the morning. I wasn't concerned about leaks because they can be remedied via silicone.
The bowing thing is a different matter. Ill tie a string to each corner and gauge it from there. I don't see too much problem ...I can always weld/glue something across the middle.
Without a doubt... Wasnt trying to be a hater or anything.. I would just hate to see you put this much time into it and it blow at the seams halfway through filling it up..
If it bows even the slightest amount(talking less then 1/4") more then likely over time the silicone will seperate causing the seams to fail and be a super diaster..
Braces are easy to install and you can prolly get an entire new frame to go over the top with braces if need be..

 

[king_neptune]

I got welding gear at home. If I'm going to do that I'll weld a pimp light frame. Or go kick the dog snot out of the guy who sold it to me insisting it was a fish tank, and force my money or Wii back. I would feel like crap if I did though. I'm 3x his size

 

[nigerbang]

Taint nothing to worry about... Its an easy fix..
Glad VVV noticed it...

 

[veni vidi vici]

Just for reference Nep,My 125's glass is 3/8 and has 2 braces on 2' centers.It shouldnt be hard to put some new ones on but i would try and get a new trim piece for the top.I would hate to see all your hard work and money end up in a puddle.

 

[king_neptune]

i wager steel or aluminum would be best. don't see much use for wood. unless I did a complete 2x4 frame all the way around. Which I was going to do anyways since I need to fab a cover.

 

[eric b 125]

there's a few places around here that have used aquarium parts. if i were you, i'd look around town and see if you can pirate the trim and braces from another tank. it might be a long shot, it might not. could be worth a few phone calls.

 

[jpa0741]

Good catch on the braces. Also it looks the the brace for the 55 sump was cut out. This will cause your baffles to come loose for sure I would think. Like it was said above It would be best to try and find some new top trims if at all possible. Should be pretty cheap. Keep up the good work. I am looking forward to the foam wall. I have seen many that came out nice.

 

[king_neptune]

1" L shaped braces should be relitivly easy to spot in a junkyard, or machine shop. Ill see what I can scavange. Ill weld it on everything when the time comes to install the tank in the basement.
I started drilling the rock for zip ties. I found someone on CL who has a yard full of red lava rock she wants to get rid of. Free pickup, take as much as I want. Score!!

 

[wattsupdoc]

You can easily do acrylic braces for it. OR just silicone a large 1/2 thick glass center brace in like is done on my Oceanic 135. Personally though, I'd just get some 1/4" thick acrylic(Lowes has it) cut 2 6in strips long enough to go across the tank plus 2 in heat and bend the ends over so it is a very snug fit, then use some weld-on #16 and glue 'em down. Use the weld on though and not something else. Also, I remember seeing where Turning Tim made a entirely new top brace for his 90 I think it was from acrylic. One 2 foot by 6' 2" sheet would do the job. Add a router, and table saw with a good blade and steady hand, some weld on and a torch to flame Polish the seams and wallah..... BTW, my 135 is 1/2 thick. No doubt she'll bow. No since even trying to see. It will likley crack and well..... But it is an easy fix. Did the tank ever have braces? I wonder about the bottom pane? Braces there? Is there a manufactures label anywhere on it?

 

[king_neptune]

what about a 6in "Jumping" lip around the circumference?
those expencive?

 

[mr.reef]

i want to see pic when u get it up and going