garf acrylic eurobracing question

[andrewkw]

I am building my first acrylic tank (quite the adventure!) I have all the sides and bottom together now but I'm stuck on the eurobracing. I used the garf calculator, it told me to have the bracing for my 18x22 tank to be :

Top Front/Back brace = 17 " x 2"
Top Sides brace = 21 " x 2"

Only problem is this won't fit. I know the pieces are cut right but it doesn't make sense. Is this designed to have the front braces on top of the side braces? It looks a little weird in the tank like this, but does fit.

Since it's such a small tank could I get away with just bracing along the 2 longer sides? It's a 24" high tank made with 1/2" acrylic. Alternatively I can cut 2 of the pieces and make a traditional eurobrace. Once I figure out this I will be done and just need to wait for it to cure. It's been quite the adventure and I can certainly see why people start with sumps not displays.

 

[biecacka]

Not sure really, I've never built one. But when mine was being built, he basically attached the top and bottom to the sides then cut out the center and what was left was my eurobracing. If it's not too late maybe try that.

Corey

 

[andrewkw]

There is no top, a tank this size does not require a top.

http://www.garf.org/tank/BuildTank.asp

I wish the final picture wasn't so low resolution.

Another option I could do which would not require me to do any cutting is, eurobrace 2 sides on on top and 2 on the bottom. Would this be sound? Again it's a small tank but still want it to be safe.

 

[biecacka]

The top is placed on then cut off from the center to create the eurobrace.
Imagine a sealed cardboard box, then take a razor blade and cut out the center of the top out. You still have all the support on the sides from strong bond that to top created when originally in place.

Corey

 

[uncleof6]

The top is placed on then cut off from the center to create the eurobrace.
Imagine a sealed cardboard box, then take a razor blade and cut out the center of the top out. You still have all the support on the sides from strong bond that to top created when originally in place.

Corey

The top should be put on and routed before the bottom panel is put in place. Why? So the tank does not fill up with acrylic shavings. All this is covered in the acrylic fabrication thread, and that is the one stop source for information you are looking for, and a great deal that you need to know, but did not think about.

GARF is great for most things, tank building (glass or acrylic) is not one of them.

 

[kylemm]

following

 

[andrewkw]

I'm just going to cut the pieces and do a standard eurobrace. The Garf calculator apparently wants you to overlap the bracing and it looks weird. I had no idea this type of bracing existed. I simply entered in the numbers took them to shop and came home.

I may be the newest of the new acrylic newbie out there but I know a tank that is 18' long and 22" wide does not need a lid made out of half inch acrylic. Eurobracing will suffice. How thick would it have to be to be rimless, 3 inches?

 

[albano]

I may be the newest of the new acrylic newbie out there but I know a tank that is 18' long and 22" wide ...

18' is 'pretty' BIG!

 

[andrewkw]

18' is 'pretty' BIG!

The first post did not have the typo :deadhorse:

regardless the pieces have been recut I am just scraping them down and will have a standard eurobrace up shortly. Not a perfect tank by any means but as long as it holds water I will be happy.

 

[biecacka]

Uncle, that is what I was trying to say but could not figure out the verbiage, thank you for clarifying it. I've never built a tank, I just now when mine was built that is how it was done.

Corey