Yet another rimless question

[805HD]

I recently acquired a 150 gallon (72x18x30) rimless with 1/2 inch glass all around. I’ve seen the tank with water in it as I know the person I got it from. I’ve been looking into euro bracing the tank for a little extra piece of mind but glass, especially at 1/2” or even 3/8” is so expensive I’m looking for alternatives.

Which brings me to my question. I have a bit of 1/2” glass laying around here I could get some triangular “corner braces” out of. Anyone have any experience with or input on this idea?

Picture is just an example. Ignore the jagged cut. I’m not set up to cut the thick stuff around here and would have my local glass shop cut it for me.

Thanks!

 

[TX_REEF]

I don't know that I've ever seen tanks with just corner brace, maybe there's a reason for that? @Joe Glass Cages might be able to offer some advice?

 

[exnisstech]

I wonder if you can find an old aquarium with 1/2" or 3/8" laying around and cut it apart to use the glass? I've never seen one with just the corners but I have seen some with strips running front to back

 

[WvAquatics]

My worry with just the corner is the pull front to back won't be held well. I got a 120g with top brace broken. I had a glass shop cut me 3 strips of 1/2" 4" wide and 24" long. Glued sides and middle. Worked well. Aquarium is in the garage.

 

[JayM]

I don't know anything about building aquariums, but I imagine if corner bracing was sufficient, you'd see mass produced tanks set up that way.

 

[805HD]

I wonder if you can find an old aquarium with 1/2" or 3/8" laying around and cut it apart to use the glass?

I was thinking the same thing. Glass is pretty expensive once you get past 1/4 inch. I called around a few shops today and it was pretty outrageous. Only problem with salvaging glass from an old tank is if it’s tempered or not.

The hunt continues

 

[805HD]

My worry with just the corner is the pull front to back won't be held well.

I agree with that. I would have a couple center braces in place. Was just trying to make the 1/2” glass I have already stretch further. We’re still at the drawing board here…

 

[rtparty]

Bracing isn’t just for peace of mind here IMO. 30” tall rimless should not be 1/2” glass. At a minimum you need a couple cross braces and possibly a full euro brace

 

[SpyC]

I was thinking the same thing. Glass is pretty expensive once you get past 1/4 inch. I called around a few shops today and it was pretty outrageous. Only problem with salvaging glass from an old tank is if it’s tempered or not.

The hunt continues

It is more expensive to repair the mess a broken tank causes. Imo, bite the bullet and purchase the thicker glass to do a nice eurobracing. Peace of mind is priceless.

 

[805HD]

I was able to verify that an old tank I had laying around wasn’t tempered. Used a polarized camera filter and a LCD screen which, works very well by the way.

Tore the tank down and after a bit of a learning curve with the glass cutter I had all the 3/8” glass I needed and then some. I paid $20 for that tank and about $20 on the cutters. Super happy with the results!

Because the overflow is in the center I’m gonna go with something along these lines. What do you guys think?

I understand the lateral pieces are the only ones offering any structural support. The horizontal pieces just frame everything in and make things look more symmetrical.

I do have an extra glass so I’m open to suggestions.

 

[805HD]

Nothing worse than a thread with no end result. So here it is, came out pretty clean. Getting the silicone to come out uniform and clean was NO easy task! Totally worth the headache though!

 

[805HD]

Things are starting to look like something!