Aquarium builders, help a brother out?

[MCary]

I have this tank:

It has a large piece of glass for a center brace ~2' square. Unfortuanately the glass is etched from hard or salt water and I can't get it clean. I'm afraid its going to cut down on the light making it difficult to put my SPS's in the center. And there's other placement issues. The dimensions of the tank is 6'x2'x2'. I want to remove the center glass but I want to brace it.

One option I though of is to buy an aquarium frame for a 180 gallon tank and replace the one that's on it now. Couple problems. I don't know what the glass thickness is on an All-glass (for example) 180 gallon tank. So I'm not sure if it'll fit. Also my source for these rims only has sizes up to 18" wide for 6 foot tanks. So if I go with this option can anyone answer any of these questions:

1. What is the glass thickness of a 180 gallon tank?
2. What are the exact dimensions of the frames?
3. Do you have any idea where I could get them?


Option 2: You tell me. What would be a good way to center brace this tank?

Appreciate any help

Thanks

Mike

 

[Acroholic]

I had Oceanic make me a 180. I wanted a Brick Style "no center braces" and they told me it had to be 3/4" Glass. I used Diamante "low Iron" glass, I'm not sure it this had anything to do with the thickness, as I have heard that the low iron glass's like Starfire and Diamante are not as strong as reg. glass.
EDIT: my tank is actually a 187 gl. 60"x24"x30"

If I were you, I would forget about framing it and rip out the center brace and Eurobrace it. This is the best option IMO.

 

[MCary]

The glass is at least 3/4 inch. This baby is heavy.

 

[Vincerama2]

When you say "etched" you mean there are like physical scratches in the glass? If it's just "hard to clean off crap" have you tried stuff like CLR (basically phosphoric acid) or "Lime Away"?

There are glass shops that can cut all sorts of sizes and shapes of glass, maybe they can make you a new center brace?

V

 

[Acroholic]

Well. if its 3/4" it probably doesnt need any bracing at all.....IMO
The Euro bracing wont hurt anyways, to be extra safe...

 

[don954]

you might want to try muriatic acid first to see if its jut stubborn crap, if that doesnt clean it, get 800-1000-2000 grit glass polish and buff it clear.

http://www.etchworld.com/item--Glass-Polishing-Kit--61-4275

 

[MCary]

Its hard water staining of some sort. I tryed all the usual cleaners. Even if I get it clean, or replace it it'll just become a problem again in the future. I'm looking for a way to brace it where the braces are narrower and the middle is open. Maybe two each a third of the way across. Its a simple problem, just need any ideas you might have. Acroholic is probably right. It may not need bracing, I just like the insurance.

I guess I don't know what eurobacing is. I assumed it was the bracing found on most acrylic tanks. I don't know how you would do that with glass?

Mike

 

[slevesque]

That would be an eurobrace for your tank size (green part). Four pieces of glass 2" wide and same thickness as your tank glass. It is siliconed to the inside of your walls. Maybe it needs to be wider for your tank size. well, it gives you the idea .

 

[Acroholic]

Thanks slevesque
I was trying to figure out how to explain it without a pic or diagram....LOL

 

[slevesque]

Google sketchup is my friend now !

I think I've seen the side pieces extended all the way to the front and back but it seems unnecessary.

 

[bassnman11]

You could remove the center brace and use 2, like you said. Aglass shop can make you 2 that are, maybe 4 inches wide. Silicone them in.