Hewbie’s new home is officially inside!

[AydenLincoln]

And it is absolutely massive at least for me and the space lol! He’s going to be so happy! And what are your opinions on adding a center brace with wood? Do you think it needs it? I personally do but it’s only four feet as opposed to a longer tank. I am tempted to add a piece of plywood over it instead to cover the top. The same way I’m adding one to the bottom and sides.

 

[Fish Fan]

Awsome for you and Hewbie!!!!

What center brace? Across the top of the tank? If you tank didn't come with one, I don't think it needs it.

 

[AydenLincoln]

Awsome for you and Hewbie!!!!

What center brace? Across the top of the tank? If you tank didn't come with one, I don't think it needs it.

Nope! I mean a center brace on the stand. I suppose since it’s floating it doesn’t really need one?

 

[AydenLincoln]

And as for the leak test I didn’t do. The tank is brand new and it’s kind of hard to bring enough water down unless I attach a hose downstairs and then pump is back out lol. I’ve only leak tested used tanks. What do you do when you get a new tank?

 

[JayM]

If the center brace on the bottom of the tank is intended to provide support to the bottom glass, you need additional bracing on the stand in that location.

I leak test everything. New or used. You can never be sure what the tank experienced in transport, nor do we know the state of mind of the person that put it together.

 

[AydenLincoln]

If the center brace on the bottom of the tank is intended to provide support to the bottom glass, you need additional bracing on the stand in that location.

That’s what I thought. But then it pushes the entire tank up? Or it just doesn’t touch it? Because the tank is already floating on the rim? I didn’t make the stand or that is something I definitely would’ve added to begin with. Unless I just cover it with a piece of plywood something I may end up doing.

 

[rogueshrimp88]

Brand new or not, it's possible to have an imperfection in the seams. Plus you don't need much water to test, like maybe a couple inches. Also +1 for the brace, I think you're supposed to have a brace every 2 feet, but I could be wrong.

 

[Fish Fan]

Nope! I mean a center brace on the stand. I suppose since it’s floating it doesn’t really need one?

You're fine, in my opinion. Your stand is braced in the center vertically, and you're going to add a "skin" to your stand, and probably molding too, so all that combined and you should be fine

That's a tried and true stand design based on "Rocket Engineer's" classic design (originally posted on Reef Central). RE is an active member here too, he's replied to one of your other threads, and if you tag him in, he'll likely reply and offer his help and suggestions.

If the center brace on the bottom of the tank is intended to provide support to the bottom glass, you need additional bracing on the stand in that location.

I don't claim to be an expert here, but I think every standard tank 4 feet long has this center brace, but no store bought tank stand I've seen has supports in the middle to support this brace.

I believe this brace is not for vertical, but for horizontal forces.

That’s what I thought. But then it pushes the entire tank up? Or it just doesn’t touch it? Because the tank is already floating on the rim? Unless I just cover it with a piece of plywood something I may end up doing.

Because, in my opinion, nothing should be pushing "up" on this brace. This is for lateral (side-to-side) forces, I believe.

@RocketEngineer - if you have a moment, could you help us out here please?

 

[Fish Fan]

Brand new or not, it's possible to have an imperfection in the seams. Plus you don't need much water to test, like maybe a couple inches. Also +1 for the brace, I think you're supposed to have a brace every 2 feet, but I could be wrong.

I'm not an expert in this or anything, but why just a few inches of water? The water pressure gets exponentially greater as the water level increases, and why would you assume a leak only happens at the bottom of a tank?

 

[JayM]

That’s what I thought. But then it pushes the entire tank up? Or it just doesn’t touch it? Because the tank is already floating on the rim? Unless I just cover it with a piece of plywood something I may end up doing.

I’m not sure I follow.

If the tank was sitting on a completely flat surface, would the center brace be contacting the same surface as the rim? If so, you need to add to the stand.

If only the rim touches, but not the center brace, you shouldn’t need additional support.

 

[AydenLincoln]

Brand new or not, it's possible to have an imperfection in the seams. Plus you don't need much water to test, like maybe a couple inches. Also +1 for the brace, I think you're supposed to have a brace every 2 feet, but I could be wrong.

Oh okay that makes sense.

 

[Fish Fan]

I’m not sure I follow.

If the tank was sitting on a completely flat surface, would the center brace be contacting the same surface as the rim? If so, you need to add to the stand.

If only the rim touches, but not the center brace, you shouldn’t need additional support.

No, that's it. On a perfectly flat surface, that bottom center brace DOES NOT touch the flat surface, and it shouldn't.

On a rimmed tank, you need to support the outside rim only.

 

[AydenLincoln]

I’m not sure I follow.

If the tank was sitting on a completely flat surface, would the center brace be contacting the same surface as the rim? If so, you need to add to the stand.

If only the rim touches, but not the center brace, you shouldn’t need additional support.

And no it was always my understanding that the outer rim touches the surface and the inner doesn’t? At least that was the case with all my rimmed tanks with a middle brace before this.

 

[JayM]

No, that's it. On a perfectly flat surface, that bottom center brace DOES NOT touch the surface, and it shouldn't.

I’m not familiar with that style tank, but if what you say is true, I wouldn’t bother adding anything structural. That stand is fine as-is.

 

[Fish Fan]

I’m not familiar with that style tank, but if what you say is true, I wouldn’t bother adding anything structural. That stand is fine as-is.

Again, I don't claim to be a expert, but having had a bunch of these tanks, that's what I think that center brace is for.

 

[AydenLincoln]

I'm not an expert in this or anything, but why just a few inches of water? The water pressure gets exponentially greater as the water level increases, and why would you assume a leak only happens at the bottom of a tank?

Just my opinion and experience that’s exactly where a leak happens on a rimmed tank lol! Now I can’t say the same for a Red Sea Tank but on a rimmed tank if the top leaks that doesn’t matter and odds are the sides aren’t leaking.

 

[Red_Beard]

Is this a 90? Looking good!

 

[AydenLincoln]

Is this a 90? Looking good!

Nope it’s a 120 tall!

 

[Fish Fan]

Just my opinion and experience that’s exactly where a leak happens on a rimmed tank lol! Now I can’t say the same for a Red Sea Tank but on a rimmed tank if the top leaks that doesn’t matter and odds are the sides aren’t leaking.

Yes, there's much more pressure at the bottom, so leaks may be more likely, but you won't "expose" them if you don't pile all the water on, so to speak. Plus, I've had tanks leak near the top before.

I have a 75 gallon standard, rimmed tank, very similar to yours if not a bit smaller (and I've had a 180 and a 125 before). That bottom middle brace on my 75 does not hit the stand. My tank is supported by the outside rim, and has been fine on my home built stand for close to 13 years now.

 

[AydenLincoln]

Yes, there's much more pressure at the bottom, so leaks may be more likely, but you won't "expose" them if you don't pile all the water on, so to speak. Plus, I've had tanks leak near the top before.

I have a 75 gallon standard, rimmed tank, very similar to yours if not a bit smaller (and I've had a 180 and a 125 before). That bottom middle brace on my 75 does not hit the stand. My tank is supported by the outside rim, and has been fine on my home built stand for close to 13 years now.

Oh I just had a 75 rimmed not supported by the middle rim. That was what Hewbie was living in. This is his upgrade and hopefully last home.