Center brace for 5ft tank??

[Matel]

I just got a second hand Aquael Rimless tank 99gal. It's got like a semi euro brace in the middle? Is that sufficient or do I need to add a center brace or additional braces?

Dimensions:
59"x20"x20"
10mm thick glass

 

[nereefpat]

The glass "braces" in the middle aren't doing anything structural in this case. To be doing anything, they would need to be spanning the different panels. I wonder if the tank didn't get finished?

10 mm (3/8") would be fine for that size if it were rimmed or eurobraced. I would add some bracing if it were mine.

 

[Matel]

The glass "braces" in the middle aren't doing anything structural in this case. To be doing anything, they would need to be spanning the different panels. I wonder if the tank didn't get finished?

10 mm (3/8") would be fine for that size if it were rimmed or eurobraced. I would add some bracing if it were mine.

Gotcha, thanks. I think that's how it came.
Link: https://www.thefishroom.net/products/aquael-rimless-aquarium-99-gallon-59-x-20-x-20

 

[exnisstech]

Interesting. I wonder what the purpose of those two pieces are :thinking-face:

 

[Troylee]

Gotcha, thanks. I think that's how it came.
Link: https://www.thefishroom.net/products/aquael-rimless-aquarium-99-gallon-59-x-20-x-20

That’s crazy… structurally that does nothing for the tank! It will help prevent the glass from Bowing thou. If it were mine I’d put a full euro on it or Metal trim.

 

[nereefpat]

Gotcha, thanks. I think that's how it came.
Link: https://www.thefishroom.net/products/aquael-rimless-aquarium-99-gallon-59-x-20-x-20

Interesting. I wonder what the purpose of those two pieces are :thinking-face:

I asked the "Chat with us" function on their website. I'm curious what they will say.

 

[nereefpat]

It will help prevent the glass from Bowing thou.

I asked "what is the purpose of the euro-bracing? In this case, it doesn't span between any of the panels, so it isn't bracing the glass."

Their answer: "Hello, to prevent the glass from bowing out"

Strange design. I don't know why you wouldn't just extend the braces all the way to the ends...

 

[Troylee]

I asked "what is the purpose of the euro-bracing? In this case, it doesn't span between any of the panels, so it isn't bracing the glass."

Their answer: "Hello, to prevent the glass from bowing out"

Strange design. I don't know why you wouldn't just extend the braces all the way to the ends...

I can imagine to save $10 lol… like wow! That’s crazy to me! End to end and locked in with silicone would be much better.. extra 2 min of labor for a peace of mind!

 

[Matel]

I can imagine to save $10 lol… like wow! That’s crazy to me! End to end and locked in with silicone would be much better.. extra 2 min of labor for a peace of mind!

Tried to do a quick Google search. I think it's a company based out of Poland. Maybe they do it differently in Europe

 

[Troylee]

Tried to do a quick Google search. I think it's a company based out of Poland. Maybe they do it differently in Europe

Well to answer your question a center brace would most def help! I’d have 2 pieces of glass cut the entire length and run the euro end to end over having a center brace personally.. I mean it might be okay the way it is but that’s just weird looking and not adding any strength to the silicone joints of the tank… it helps prevent a hinge on the bottom seal at best and very minimal at that.

 

[ReefEco]

You could just silicon a single piece across the middle connecting those pieces for strength, if you aren't worried about looks too much. A center brace will likely do more for strength than a full eurobrace anyway. When I was purchasing my tanks (from AGE) they flatly said that eurobracing does very little for structural stability. That was a surprise to me... they preferred actual powder coated frames and cross braces.

 

[Matel]

I'll remove the existing brace and do euro all the way around. Should the euro brace be on top of the tank or a few mm below?