110 gallon with no center brace?

[Miguel4u2]

I just picked up a 110 gallon high(used) but it has no center brace, the guy told me it would be OK but i doubted him until i saw the thickness of the glass(1/2"), it is 48x18x31(used the volume calculator and it says its a 115 gallon so maybe i got something better).It never had a brace because you can clearly see that it was meant not to. So any suggestions? i am a bit worried.

And since i am already talking about the tank heres a few questions

1. What is the easiest way to remove silicone?

2. I am re-doing a wood stand and will sand it and stain it but would like it to be "shiny", how can i accomplish this?

3. I would like to match the oak trim of the tank with the stand, how can i paint it?

 

[poly-nomial]

I just picked up a 110 gallon high(used) but it has no center brace, the guy told me it would be OK but i doubted him until i saw the thickness of the glass(1/2"), it is 48x18x31(used the volume calculator and it says its a 115 gallon so maybe i got something better).It never had a brace because you can clearly see that it was meant not to. So any suggestions? i am a bit worried.

And since i am already talking about the tank heres a few questions

1. What is the easiest way to remove silicone?

2. I am re-doing a wood stand and will sand it and stain it but would like it to be "shiny", how can i accomplish this?

3. I would like to match the oak trim of the tank with the stand, how can i paint it?

That should be fine at that thickness. Todays tanks are so cheap. Oh well. I can not answer your questions though

 

[12 Volt Man]

it probably needs a brace.

old tanks made with thicker glass did not need a brace and were never designed with one.

however, your tank is 31" tall and the MODERN 110 talls use this glass thickness WITH a center brace.

an old style braceless 110 gallon tank that tall would have been made with 5/8ths inch glass.

so I have a feeling it needs one.

does it look like it had a brace that was cut out?

 

[bob965]

2. I am re-doing a wood stand and will sand it and stain it but would like it to be "shiny", how can i accomplish this?

3. I would like to match the oak trim of the tank with the stand, how can i paint it?

Use some gloss polyurethane as your topcoat. Available in any home-depot type store.

You can buy a stain that you think is pretty close, then test it in an inconspicuous area of the stand. Keep in mind you can affect how dark it gets to a certain degree by how long you leave the stain on before you wipe it off.

 

[Miguel4u2]

it probably needs a brace.

old tanks made with thicker glass did not need a brace and were never designed with one.

however, your tank is 31" tall and the MODERN 110 talls use this glass thickness WITH a center brace.

an old style braceless 110 gallon tank that tall would have been made with 5/8ths inch glass.

so I have a feeling it needs one.

does it look like it had a brace that was cut out?

No , it does not look like the brace was cut out and this guy had the tank filled like that for 2 years and he also told me he bought it 2 years ago.However the trim on this thing looks pretty tough, i can take some pics if you want.

 

[Miguel4u2]

Use some gloss polyurethane as your topcoat. Available in any home-depot type store.

You can buy a stain that you think is pretty close, then test it in an inconspicuous area of the stand. Keep in mind you can affect how dark it gets to a certain degree by how long you leave the stain on before you wipe it off.

Thanks, will do. But the thing is that the trim it plastic made to look like wood, so will it stain it?

 

[12 Volt Man]

No , it does not look like the brace was cut out and this guy had the tank filled like that for 2 years and he also told me he bought it 2 years ago.However the trim on this thing looks pretty tough, i can take some pics if you want.

pics might be good.

I know from seeing older braceless tanks when I was first starting out in the early 90's tanks that tall used thicker glass than 1/2"

braceless tanks to 24" were made with 1/2" but taller tanks used thicker glass than that.

I was looking at a new Aqueon (Allglass) 110 tall the other day (braced) and it was made with 1/2" .

however, 1/2" may be perfectly safe even without a brace, but you will notice a bow to the glass. my old braceless tanks (90g) were made with 1/2" but there was a slight bow to them. However, this was normal and the tank held perfectly for 15 years before I sold it.

 

[Red_Belly_Pacu]

A vendor here at MFK is selling rimless and braceless tanks. He said it is geared mainly for reefers.

 

[kallmond]

Did you actually measure the glass or did you estimate that 1/2? I'd bet it was actually 16mm (just bigger than 5/8)

If it has a plastic rim, and nothing has visibly been cut out of that, and especially if you saw it full and not exploding.. I'd say have at it and enjoy your tank!

 

[Miguel4u2]

Did you actually measure the glass or did you estimate that 1/2? I'd bet it was actually 16mm (just bigger than 5/8)

If it has a plastic rim, and nothing has visibly been cut out of that, and especially if you saw it full and not exploding.. I'd say have at it and enjoy your tank!

It is actually 1/2", measured it. And everything does seem fine. Thanks.