ADVICE needed on BIG tank

[doubleohwhat]

Yep, everything is 3/4". The builder is glass cages. I've used them before but never for a tank this size.

The kicker is that all four sides are starphire which I believe is a bit weaker than standard aquarium glass (correct me if I'm wrong here). So with that in mind I'm thinking it might be best to add a center brace. How wide do you guys think a 3/4" thick center brace be?

 

[coralnut99]

I've never bought or even seen a GC tank, so if you've used them then you at least have an example of what to expect.

Old age is creeping up on me, otherwise I'd already have the link to the thread posted here. I think I recall Bean (Beananimal) refuting the belief that SF glass is weaker. With any luck, he'll chime in here and either explain more clearly, or remind me that alzheimers is just around the corner, lol!

I can't supply any sort of formula as to what the size of the brace should be. If it were my tank, I would opt for two narrower braces since the behemoth centerbraces like the Oceanic ones are just a pain to keep clean even in a FW environment. Salt spray and heat from even T5's will eventually etch the thing permanently.

 

[geaux xman]

i'm not capable of doing the calculations, but i think you are okay.

my tank is 60x30x23 with 3/4" starphire glass and completely rimless. i think theres a good chance your tank will later bow a little, but you will be okay considering only a 14-15" waterline. my tank doesnt even have a bottom brace and i believe glasscages builds their rimless with a bottom brace. a center brace would certainly help though.

 

[doubleohwhat]

Well, just to be on the safe side I think I'll toss in two braces. I'm thinking two eight inch braces. I'm going to be using five led fixtures so I can place the braces on each side of the center fixture.

Btw, thanks for the input guys. It's much appreciated!