210 Gallon Aquarium Help

cookiehouse79765

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 28, 2021
Messages
140
Reaction score
25
Location
Tulsa
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I am curious if a 210 gallon aquarium has to have a center brace. It has a built in overflow on the center of the back glass. And how would you recommend mounting two ocean arctic revive 247 over the top.
 

lapin

10K Club member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 16, 2017
Messages
10,572
Reaction score
17,709
Location
Austin
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
A center brace is used when a tank is made with a material thickness that is not thick enough to hold up with out one.
I would hang the lights
 

ca1ore

10K Club member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 28, 2014
Messages
13,803
Reaction score
19,657
Location
Stamford, CT
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Assuming it is a mass-market tank like aqueon or marlineland, they all have braces because, as noted, the glass isn't think enough to go without. Remove at your peril. A rimless 210 would have 3/4" glass at least.
 

Celestion

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 26, 2021
Messages
348
Reaction score
162
Location
Booneville
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
One wide thick or even double center brace adds loads of strenth to the tank , absolute must on a 1/2 inch 210 , and is better than 2 skinny ones as the majority of the glass flex is in the very center.
 

Celestion

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 26, 2021
Messages
348
Reaction score
162
Location
Booneville
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
One wide thick or even double center brace adds loads of strenth to the tank , absolute must on a 1/2 inch 210 , and is better than 2 skinny ones as the majority of the glass flex is in the very center.
Doubled up glass thickness , in the center of tank
 

Jekyl

GSP is the devil and clowns are bad pets
View Badges
Joined
Jan 15, 2019
Messages
11,271
Reaction score
15,489
Location
Michigan
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Glasscages.com has a tank builder tool. Put in the dimensions of the tank on there. It will show you if it can be done or not and what the glass thickness is.
 

Jekyl

GSP is the devil and clowns are bad pets
View Badges
Joined
Jan 15, 2019
Messages
11,271
Reaction score
15,489
Location
Michigan
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I would leak test outside either way. Get a measuring tape and check for bowing.
 

Grill

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 12, 2019
Messages
344
Reaction score
832
Location
St. Louis, MO.
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I've built several tanks from scratch. Without a doubt you want a center brace on a 210 with .5" glass. Most 210's are 6ft long some are 7ft. either way a center brace is needed. Aluminum angles and joining plates work well to brace the top of an aquarium. Here are a couple of 210's I've built both 7ft. Hope this helps.
center brace 1.jpg

2.jpg

MVIMG_20200601_161321.jpg

MVIMG_20200528_105813.jpg

MVIMG_20200630_111734.jpg


joining plates.jpg
 

Breadman03

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 30, 2015
Messages
2,249
Reaction score
2,022
Location
Luzerne County, PA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
@Grill, how did you set up the center braces? Are those cables or rods? I'm fixing to reseal an old 210 and was planning on eurobracing it, but your solution looks appealing. Thanks!
 

Grill

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 12, 2019
Messages
344
Reaction score
832
Location
St. Louis, MO.
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
@Grill, how did you set up the center braces? Are those cables or rods? I'm fixing to reseal an old 210 and was planning on eurobracing it, but your solution looks appealing. Thanks!
Euro brace is an option, I think cables and L channel give the tank a more modern/industrial look. Not to mention much easier to obtain and cut material. Aluminum channels can be found at any hardware store... Aluminum Angle Bar I usually reseal large tanks 6ft or larger, depending on the size tank they have different lengths and thickness. As for the cross braces... Galvanized Steel Cable Wire Rope works well, again different gauges of wire and different lengths. There are kits you can buy but there is a section were they will cut the individual gauge and length for you. Stay away from the sealed Stainless Steel Vinyl Coated Wire because its difficult to work with. Joining plates are used to attach the cables and L angles together, again different sizes, shapes and thickness. I use J-B Weld Professional to adhere the joining plates to the L angles. Anything over 3500 tensile strength, they have a quick weld that I have never tried but should work. I work on tanks in the garage so be check the proper temps when it can be applied. Then some generic black oxide, nickel or zinc tops (cant remember) non rust for the top of the plates. Purely aesthetics. Here are a few more photos. One of my own built tank using low iron glass. If this helps anyone give me thumbs up. Thanks

1.jpg

2.jpg

6.jpg

IMG_20200831_171554.jpg

IMG_20201211_095946.jpg

Setup 210.jpg
 
Last edited:

Grill

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 12, 2019
Messages
344
Reaction score
832
Location
St. Louis, MO.
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Wow a brace right on the drill holes...lol
Thanks for the feedback. Giving the OP advice on a question he had. Something I have experience with. Could you explain doubling up the glass thickness in the middle of the tank? Oh and Welcome to R2R.
 

OldMark81

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 4, 2020
Messages
11
Reaction score
7
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Do you use anything between the angle iron and the glass or do you just silicone?
 

Mastering the art of locking and unlocking water pathways: What type of valves do you have on your aquarium plumbing?

  • Ball valves.

    Votes: 38 47.5%
  • Gate valves.

    Votes: 42 52.5%
  • Check valves.

    Votes: 16 20.0%
  • None.

    Votes: 21 26.3%
  • Other.

    Votes: 8 10.0%
Back
Top