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.