Euro bracing rimless tank

[M3AN ONE]

I have a 4x4 rimless tank I want to convert to a Euro brace tank any tips regarding implementation silicone to use ect tank is 3/4 inch does the brace need to be as thick? also I see ppl putting lips on euro brace for recessed lids how would I go about that? I reached out to glass cages but freight would be $400 plus just to ship so I will have to source glass locally.

Something like this

Looks like they are double stacking glass to get lip affect

 

[ironwill723]

Momentive rtv 103 or 108 for silicone. Glass cages uses 3/8” glass for eurobraces. Typically 3” wide on top of 5” glass to make cross braces.

 

[M3AN ONE]

You recommend clear of black silicone? Rest of the tank is black

 

[M3AN ONE]

Momentive rtv 103 or 108 for silicone. Glass cages uses 3/8” glass for eurobraces. Typically 3” wide on top of 5” glass to make cross braces.

I am just going to go around the perimeter any clue how to double stack the glass to get the inside lip?

 

[ironwill723]

You recommend clear of black silicone? Rest of the tank is black

Typically the eurobrace is done in clear silicone. You will need a bunch of tubes to get a bubble free result.

https://www.rshughes.com/p/Momentive-RTV108-Adhesive-Sealant-Clear-Paste-10-1-Fl-Oz-Cartridge-RTV108-CLEAR-12C/rtv108_clear_12c/

 

[ironwill723]

I am just going to go around the perimeter any clue how to double stack the glass to get the inside lip?

Lots of clamps and blocking to hold the first few pieces. You would want a slightly wider piece on the bottom and a narrower piece siliconed on top. If your tank glass thickness is 3/4" subtract that number from the bottom pieces measurement to get the lip.

 

[M3AN ONE]

Lots of clamps and blocking to hold the first few pieces. You would want a slightly wider piece on the bottom and a narrower piece siliconed on top. If your tank glass thickness is 3/4" subtract that number from the bottom pieces measurement to get the lip.
View attachment 32400136View attachment 32400137

can you share a picture of the corner? Im thinking of doing 3/8 thickness and on the sides with the lip double that up so almost a inch. If I go 3/4 the second brace will go to far into the tank below the waterline.

 

[M3AN ONE]

I ordered this before before the thread. would this work as well as what was recommended.

Amazon.com

 

[griss]

I ordered this before before the thread. would this work as well as what was recommended.

Amazon.com

I would think that should work but I'll defer to @ironwill723 knowledge here.

 

[M3AN ONE]

I ordered what @ironwill723 suggested better to play it safe.

couple questions
1 Do I install the lip underneath first and 2 will I have to remove the pre existing silicone 3/8ths a inch of from the corner since the lip is 3/8th. 3 will I be connecting the 2 pieces of glass stacked on each other to each other or both just to the glass.

 

[M3AN ONE]

Also what gap should I leave between glass pieces looks like my tank currently is gaped 1/8th of a inch between seams

 

[ironwill723]

I would work in parallel pieces. Do the two parallel long side pieces first that sit on the top edge of the tank glass. Then do the opposite two parallel pieces on the other two sides of the tank that sit perpendicular underneath those first two pieces. I wouldn't mess with the original silicone in the interior seam. Just clean off the top of the glass edge around the tank with a razor blade and alcohol. I usually use painters tape to mask my lines. 1/8" gap is what I usually do. Either of the silicones is fine. I prefer the Momentive. If you go on Glasscages website or facebook page there are thousands of pictures you can reference.

 

[M3AN ONE]

Does it matter I I use tempered or non tempered glass. I am thinking of doing one solid piece.

 

[ironwill723]

Does it matter I I use tempered or non tempered glass. I am thinking of doing one solid piece.

View attachment 32400175

Doesn't matter. You can not drill holes in already tempered glass though if that is important to you.

 

[M3AN ONE]

Doesn't matter. You can not drill holes in already tempered glass though if that is important to you.

A machine shop cannot as well? I wasnt going to plan on cutting it myself.

 

[griss]

A machine shop cannot as well? I wasnt going to plan on cutting it myself.

From this website

Once you temper a piece of glass, it is not possible to cut it again without shattering it or leaving it weakened and unfit for its original purpose.

 

[ironwill723]

A machine shop cannot as well? I wasnt going to plan on cutting it myself.

From this website

Once you temper a piece of glass, it is not possible to cut it again without shattering it or leaving it weakened and unfit for its original purpose.

Yes correct. Once glass is tempered no more modifications can be made. So if you decided later on you needed a bulkhead hole drilled etc. that would not be possible after the piece is fabricated.

 

[oreo57]

 

[M3AN ONE]

So I installed the inside brace. I actually have another one going over it and thats just the lip to hold lids. My question is the brace that im mounting on the top of the tank not the one in it do I just silicone the perimeter or should I also cover that overlapping square for reinforcement. im afraid it wont look good. Top brace isnt glued in yet just resting on top

 

[M3AN ONE]

I figured out what I think will work best I just went around the standard edge