Ok, glass is only 1/4 inch thick so I have to brace it, so I'm thinking either wood or plexiglass, how thick should the plexiglass be? If I did wood I'd do 1x2 wood, and of course seal it but would 3 braces across the top be ok ?
Need help with top brace for tank
- Thread starter Jag586
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Why not measure the gap in the middle and have a glass company cut you a piece that is about 3" wide and a hair under the interior dimension of the tank. Then just silicone it across. Here's what I mean:
This is my 220 but you could use the same concept.
This is my 220 but you could use the same concept.
I very much like that idea but I still want some kind of top border like you have right now it's just glass, very sharp glass
At those dimensions and 1/4 inch glass I'd be tempted to do both a middle brace and eurobrace it. As far as the edges of the glass go I suspect it could be sanded to eliminate the sharp edges.
As far as a frame goes, I do believe that is what you are asking about, I'd probably epoxy up some molding then glue it onto the glass. People get hung up on thinking a thin piece of plastic is a brace, in most cases it's just something to protect the edges of the glass. An aquarium manufacturer I knew decades ago told me you design the tank so the glass will hold it, then you frame it to protect the edges... you don't need a one piece frame, it can be 4 or whatever because it doesn't provide strength. Just make sure the glass will support the water pressure.
As far as a frame goes, I do believe that is what you are asking about, I'd probably epoxy up some molding then glue it onto the glass. People get hung up on thinking a thin piece of plastic is a brace, in most cases it's just something to protect the edges of the glass. An aquarium manufacturer I knew decades ago told me you design the tank so the glass will hold it, then you frame it to protect the edges... you don't need a one piece frame, it can be 4 or whatever because it doesn't provide strength. Just make sure the glass will support the water pressure.
Might be kind of ghetto for your liking, but if you just want the rim for looks you could try wrapping the top of the tank with wide electrical tape. You can let enough hang off the top to be able to fold it over the top edge and it should look pretty good. This is assuming you brace it another way.
For decorative trim you could probably use some sort of plastic cap moulding available at big box hardware stores. Down in the description it says it is available in 8' lengths in store so you could cut to fit.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Veranda-...attice-Cap-Moulding-2-Pack-73004058/202082678
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Veranda-...attice-Cap-Moulding-2-Pack-73004058/202082678
