Euro Bracing ????

[Pennies2Cents]

Hello all,

As I am sure you know by now from our thread in the emergency forum the center brace came off over the weekend. We have since put it back in place and clamps will continue to hold it in place for about 5 more days. Our main concern is not for the tank it self but for the safety of our children & house. Dont get me wrong the tank is a concern as well. We dont want to tear down but if need be, down it will come. Any and all coral/fish will be sold. And we will start all over. In the next year or so.

Anyway back to my question:

What are your thoughts on euro bracing for the entire 240 tank? Can we do it with out tearing down? Ross & I dont know anything about silicone and glass. I was able to place the center brace back on but, honestly I dont trust my own work on something I have no idea about. This makes me nervous! Give us your honest thoughts.

[txav8r]

Ace is the place! I'd ask him. I'm sure he will be along shortly.

[Pennies2Cents]

I forgot to mention we did speak to Ace last night and he gave us some very helpful information. I just wanted to get other opinions and thoughts as well. :)

[aquasport24]

How about 4ea 4" brace across the top? that will give it extras support and not blocking light.

[Gseclipse02]

What are your thoughts on euro bracing for the entire 240 tank? Can we do it with out tearing down? Ross & I dont know anything about silicone and glass. I was able to place the center brace back on but, honestly I dont trust my own work on something I have no idea about. This makes me nervous! Give us your honest thoughts.


i know what your feeling lol.... i kept telling ace the same thing i left my claps on for 2 weeks and took them off this past Sunday and everything is still looking good bracing wise ... hope yall dont have to tear it down ... good luck

[ErikH]

4" brace all the way around. At the corners, you need 45 degree cuts. Then over or under or both on those corners you place triangles of plastic to support the euro braced corner. The top point of the triangle would go pointing into the corner. Get it?

Take a front piece and side piece. the 45s meet in the corner. Where they meet is where the triangle goes.

[Pennies2Cents]

4" brace all the way around. At the corners, you need 45 degree cuts. Then over or under or both on those corners you place triangles of plastic to support the euro braced corner. The top point of the triangle would go pointing into the corner. Get it?

Take a front piece and side piece. the 45s meet in the corner. Where they meet is where the triangle goes.

because we want to do this correctly, would the tank have to come down anyway?

[ErikH]

I would double check with Ace, but my instincts tell me yes because it is very hard to work on a tank and not spill anything into it. Also, if there is excessive pressure from the water, that may hinder a proper fix. The sheer size of the tank may allow you to have enough room to work around well enough to pull it off though.

[ErikH]

Like Giau said though, you may want to triple or quad ply it for extra rigidity and maximum support. Can't ever be too safe!

[Mr Cob]

Man, sorry you guys have to even deal with this. I can't imagine having to tear down that beast. I can help with holding stuff if it comes to that.

[Pennies2Cents]

Man, sorry you guys have to even deal with this. I can't imagine having to tear down that beast. I can help with holding stuff if it comes to that.

Thanks Rob, It is with a heavy heart :cry_smile: that we have now decided to sell all coral and fish... We will not be doing anymore adjustments to this tank. We are considering a brand new tank. :what_smile::angel:.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts! :) Be on the lookout for a for sale thread.

[Mr Cob]

What!!!

Well...
This comes from experience of tearing down tanks...selling most everything is a good idea when buying a new tank but seriously consider keeping your favorite specimens, especially the ones that are hard to find and or hold a special place in your heart....like "first coral ever" etc... They make the come back that much sweeter.

I know you have other tanks so keep some stuff. I'm sorry to see this, but know your next tank will be even better.

[Bill S]

Eve, hang on here...

How about this? There's a 215 brick for sale here. No center brace needed, because it's 3/4" glass.

Frankly, I wouldn't panic on yours yet. They've made a zillion of these tanks, with few failures. I'd double or triple up on the shear surface area on the one you have. No, you don't need to drain the tank - you just need to have the dimensions where they need to be - and you can use your old brace as a guide.

[Pennies2Cents]

Eve, hang on here...

How about this? There's a 215 brick for sale here. No center brace needed, because it's 3/4" glass.

Frankly, I wouldn't panic on yours yet. They've made a zillion of these tanks, with few failures. I'd double or triple up on the shear surface area on the one you have. No, you don't need to drain the tank - you just need to have the dimensions where they need to be - and you can use your old brace as a guide.

Hey Bill,

Yes I know this seems pretty drastic and well it probably is but we just dont want to deal with this tank anymore. My thoughts are that "this" tank is not for us. We purchased this setup for a good price one we couldnt pass up. And since the beginning it has been a nightmare.. Plumbing, pumps, bulk heads and now the center brace, a leak in the silicone from the top of the tank.. etc...Now to even think we would spend more money on a used tank just doesnt sit well with us. :( Honestly, I believe our money (fish,coral etc) should be going in making it look nice. Not spending it on a 5 + year old tank that will be needing repair after repair. :( :bareteeth::what_smile::confused:
After looking into the prices of a new tank the repairs to everything would probably exceed the price of a new one. :angry:

The 215 that Carl is selling is a very beautiful one. We got his the same day we got ours from the same person. But we would prefer to get the same size tank we have now. Measurements and all. We will be keeping stand, canopy and all accessories pumps, lights, etc to use on our new tank.

Here is our plan:



Sell livestock & coral and Order New Tank
Begin tear down when new tank arrives.
Remove all LR put into large containers and let it sit with pumps
Remove LS
Tear down refugium empty that out as well. (100gal)
240 Tank will now be empty and ready for sale.

All while waiting on new tank to arrive we will be working on painting the stand add a little reinforcements to it adding new plywood to bottom of stand that is rotted out. Checking the condition of the refugium add new bulk heads, pvc, baffles etc... This all should have been done prior to setting up the tank now but due to the circumstances of not having enough space for such large livestock we had to get it done asap. So with the circumstances that we have now this has also given us the oppourtunity to correct the issues at hand. Costly? yes, but well worth every single bit in the future.

Plan #2 NEW TANK


New tank comes in
Setup begins
Plumbing/Refugium
LS or Just Sand at this point. lol
LR or should I say Cured Rock? lol
Water
And let sit for a long while prior to adding anything. With the exception of a couple of chromis to get things going.

[hobogato]

had i known this when i talked with you on the phone, i would have told you that there is no way i would try to keep that tank without tearing the whole thing apart and resealing EVERY seam. i think you are definitely making the right decision to get a different tank.


a leak in the silicone from the top of the tank..

[roscozman]

Let me also add that the previous owner sold us this entire setup at a GREAT price. We got our moneys worth ten fold in equipment and livestock and definitely could not pass this up. We love that this tank is 96" long (96"x24"x24") and would like to stay with that foot print. Now we can take the advice of so many reefers on here and do it slow and do it right. We had fish in the garage with the summer heat to contend with as well as other livestock stressing because of the move.

This is still a great tank with a few adjustments (euro brace) and we will sell at a great price to the next person. We want this tank to be fixed right and not rush it because we have some fish or coral that might die. Eve and I are here for the long run and now can take it slow for us to enjoy. I'm sure most of us say "If I had to set it up again I would have fixed this first..." Now... I can fix that base board, put that baffle in the sump and put the union valve on the plumbing.

[roscozman]

had i known this when i talked with you on the phone, i would have told you that there is no way i would try to keep that tank without tearing the whole thing apart and resealing EVERY seam. i think you are definitely making the right decision to get a different tank.

Ace,

This is where the plastic trim is at the top middle of the tank. We didn't mention it after you suggested removing the trim and silicone and replace with the euro brace.

[hobogato]

oh, ok. i thought you were saying that one of the seams was leaking at the top.

i think you are correct - that tank will be fine once it the top is braced well.

[Gseclipse02]

can yall pm me a price on what yall are looking to get for the tank ?

[JTrott]

can yall pm me a price on what yall are looking to get for the tank ?

When did this turn into a FOR SALE thread? The way I am reading it, it is a help thread? Some people sure are quick to jump on possibly cheap stuff.

Jason

[hobogato]

well, for some people, this is just an extension of craigslist :wink_smile:

luckily it isnt that way for most.

eve and ross,

i do agree with rob tho - you could probably keep some of your favorite livestock without any problems

[Gseclipse02]

When did this turn into a FOR SALE thread? The way I am reading it, it is a help thread? Some people sure are quick to jump on possibly cheap stuff.

Jason


quit your crying i asked a ? that was all

[JTrott]

quit your crying i asked a ? that was all

Crying? This is a HELP forum not a "how much stuff can JT buy and resell forum." I have noticed, as have MANY others. If you want it.....EVE PM me a price, I will take it just outta spite.

Jason

[BigKGlen]

Civil, boys!

[JTrott]

You're right Kevin. Many apologies. Sorry for hijacking the thread.

Sorry Eve.

Jason

[BigKGlen]

:thumbs_up:

[JTrott]

Just one of those days. Many apologies to everyone.

Jason

[fyretr7]

WOW MRS EVE Sorry to hear about your tank.Wish I lived closer to help you guys out with whatever.I will be starting my build soon myself as I have basically redone most everything on the tank.Got the pump up and running and actually bought a new one and will use the one u guys had as backup.Again thank you guys for what you did.Not sure how well I will do with a reef tank.As long as I have friends like you guys to ask questions I need answers to, I should do alright. Again sorry to hear about your misfortunes with the tank and wish you guys all the luck in the world with your new build...................Doyle