Question on bracing

[Tom nhia]

Hi everyone
I'm planning on building a 240-ish gallon acrylic tank, 96" by 24" by 23". I was wondering if 5 braces going front to back would be enough. The braces would be 0.5" thick and 4" wide. They'll be about 2 feet apart. If it's not enough, I'll buy another sheet of acrylic.
Thank you for all the inputs

 

[fishguy242]

hi,sounds good to me,how thick are your panes? love to see the build..
@Joe Glass Cages any thoughts??

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

hi,sounds good to me,how thick are your panes? love to see the build..
@Joe Glass Cages any thoughts??

Got sure! Love this stuff!
@Tom nhia, couple of questions
- What thickness of Acrylic are you planning to use.
- You use the term "braces", are you referring to cross-braces?
- Cross-Braces on 24" center on a 96" tank would give you 3 cross-braces. How will you get 5 cross-braces on a 96" tank?
- Are you done a perimeter bracing with cross-braces?

Love that you are building your own tank! Fun stuff.

 

[Tom nhia]

hi,sounds good to me,how thick are your panes? love to see the build..
@Joe Glass Cages any thoughts??

Got sure! Love this stuff!
@Tom nhia, couple of questions
- What thickness of Acrylic are you planning to use.
- You use the term "braces", are you referring to cross-braces?
- Cross-Braces on 24" center on a 96" tank would give you 3 cross-braces. How will you get 5 cross-braces on a 96" tank?
- Are you done a perimeter bracing with cross-braces?

Love that you are building your own tank! Fun stuff.

-Planning to use 0.5 thick acrylic for the whole build.
-I believe that's what they are called. My plan was to put one on both ends, one in the middle and one between end and middle(see picture)
-Im not sure what you mean, can you give me more info on that?

 

[fishguy242]

i'm gonna suggest using.80 for panes,.50 .60 top and bottom/braces?? think will have 0 bow.hah.."Joe will know"

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

-Planning to use 0.5 thick acrylic for the whole build.
-I believe that's what they are called. My plan was to put one on both ends, one in the middle and one between end and middle(see picture)
-Im not sure what you mean, can you give me more info on that?

Got its.

Using the link below to calculate the thickness needed, I get 0.742. rounded up. 3/4" thick acrylic is suggest use this method for determine thickness needed.

ACRYLITE® - Calculators

www.acrylite.co

For bracing. Perimeter Bracing with Cross-Braces is what I was referring to. This would be done with a solid sheet of acrylic and cutting out the 4 opening on the top leaving you with a solid bracing on top with perimeter bracing and 3 cross-braces. Please see the picture below. This tank is smaller than the one you desire to build, 48 x 24 x 25 tall. shows the concept though.

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

i'm gonna suggest using.80 for panes,.50 .60 top and bottom/braces?? think will have 0 bow.hah.."Joe will know"

agreed....

 

[Tom nhia]

i'm gonna suggest using.80 for panes,.50 .60 top and bottom/braces?? think will have 0 bow.hah.."Joe will know"

Got its.

Using the link below to calculate the thickness needed, I get 0.742. rounded up. 3/4" thick acrylic is suggest use this method for determine thickness needed.

ACRYLITE® - Calculators

www.acrylite.co

For bracing. Perimeter Bracing with Cross-Braces is what I was referring to. This would be done with a solid sheet of acrylic and cutting out the 4 opening on the top leaving you with a solid bracing on top with perimeter bracing and 3 cross-braces. Please see the picture below. This tank is smaller than the one you desire to build, 48 x 24 x 25 tall. shows the concept though.

Alright thank you for the input! There were a few sources that said that 0.5 was fine but you guys know more than me so I'll follow the advice!
As for the perimeter bracing with cross-braces. I originally did plan to do something like that but with only 2 sheets (8x4) I dont have enough leftover to do it. I would go 3 sheets if I can find a use for the rest haha my family would kill me for having "junk" in the house

 

[fishguy242]

better to spend the extra now,prob only going to once..
can use what you have for top and bottom,end up w 2x8 piece and your holes,make a sump,
not sure but if can get ? 1, 4'x10' sheet 3/4" will do exactly the panes less the cut size
gotta take pics and start a build thread when ready,would love to see build..

 

[Tom nhia]

better to spend the extra now,prob only going to once..
can use what you have for top and bottom,end up w 2x8 piece and your holes,make a sump,
not sure but if can get ? 1, 4'x10' sheet 3/4" will do exactly the panes less the cut size
gotta take pics and start a build thread when ready,would love to see build..

I haven't found anyone that sell 4'x10' sheet yet but I'll keep an eye out. As for the extras, I'll make a sump now that you mention it. I dont think my crystal 30 sump is going to be big enough for this tank lol