300g How much bracing?

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F

flightofone

Feeder Fish
Jan 13, 2007
2
0
0
Massachusetts
I'm building a 300g all glass aquarium and have a question about the top bracing required. I was able to get most of the glass for free (tempered 1/2", 2 pieces of 8'x29" for the sides and 1 piece of 8'x25" for the bottom. I'll order new glass for the end pieces). The tank will sit in a 1" deep snug-fit wooden base. My question is about the top: I can't figure out what strength bracing I need around and across the top. Is there any data available for that? Would a brace constructed of 1" pultruded structural angle around the perimeter with a couple of cross braces be sufficient (it is fiberglass with approximately 50% the tensile strength as steel)?
Thanks for any help.
 
Nice score on the glass. My 250 is of nearly the same dimmensions and is made of 1/2 inch plate glass. You do not need bracing in terms of frame work. The plastic frame on most tanks is there for only looks. What counts is a brace across the middle to help prevent bowing. Then again some tanks have them while some don't. Since yours will be tempered, I doubt you will need it. It comes in handy for holding up tank lids though. My brace is ten inches wide and 1/2 inch thick.
 
Thanks for the help, I'll go with a single brace across the middle like you suggest. I'm surprised the silicone sealant is sufficiently strong to hold the glass plates together against the water pressure.
 
Not all silicone is created the same. Some are soft and rubbery when cured while others are thicker and really stiff. Aquarium manufacturers use the stiffer stuff; it is much stronger. Unfortunately it is hard for us to get our hands on. There have been some people here that have gotten their hands on it though. I have some glue that I use for tank repair, gluing glass, and making tanks. I'll post the name of it as soon as I find it.
 
i was under the impression that you can only use 100% silicone in fishtanks, and it being 100% silicone the contents of say a tube labeled "marine ++ Silicone" which reads 100% silicone on the front would be the same as the tube of 100% silicone from Home Depo would be exactly the same, correct me if im wrong
 
thing124;653357; said:
i was under the impression that you can only use 100% silicone in fishtanks, and it being 100% silicone the contents of say a tube labeled "marine ++ Silicone" which reads 100% silicone on the front would be the same as the tube of 100% silicone from Home Depo would be exactly the same, correct me if im wrong
Click to expand...

You are not wrong, but there needs to be some clarification. 100% does not mean 100%. Marketing departments and firms go to great lengths to skew information into saying things that are barely true or missleading. If the tube contained 100% silicone it would be filled with dust or crystals. What the 100% means is that the factory adds 100% silicone to the silicone rubber formula. What is important is how much 100% silicone is added to the formula and what else is added. By comparing different products, you can see a major difference from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Btw, ever see 100% silicone rubber that was mold and mildew resistant? Those extra chemicals would make the percentage excede 100%. I also have some silicone grease that says it is 100% silicone.
 
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