nylon tape wound around big aquariums for extra support anyone?
- Thread starter brcacti
- Start date
Big is relative, a 300 gallon tank is extremely large to some and very small to others who have public sized aquariums as big as rooms or multiple rooms. I have neatly wraped in layers around the whole aquarium the strong nylon tape, nylon is water resistant anyway, I used nylon ropes for boating/skiing most of my life. I put each layer exactly on top of the other layer so it is very neat and professional looking. 9 times around top and bottom, cover with black silicon to preserve and hide the nylon. This will give the seams/corners extreme holding support, it will not solve all problems of big tanks.
We need pix of your install.
What was the original bracing on the tank.
How much deflection did it have before the addition of the tape?
After?
We talked about using strapping tape (non-adhesive) last month.
What brand of tape are use specifically using?
What is the stretch factor? (if any it is for naught.)
Did you test compatibility of the silicone you used with the tape?
Dr Joe
.
What was the original bracing on the tank.
How much deflection did it have before the addition of the tape?
After?
We talked about using strapping tape (non-adhesive) last month.
What brand of tape are use specifically using?
What is the stretch factor? (if any it is for naught.)
Did you test compatibility of the silicone you used with the tape?
Dr Joe
.
I do not get this at all. The only practical use I can see is if you were to build your own tank. In which case it could be much easier and cheaper than some other kind of bracing. But it will flex so if you were to put it on an uneven surface it would flex and most likely pull the silicone from the glass. Although it might hold together it would still empty its contents all over your living room.
Just thinking:
wont the tape be influenced by moister, tempratur and pull? And wont that, atleast over time, wear out the support it is giving? It may work well for a while but I think it wont last forever and that it will start to give. And, also, that the glue thats holding the tape to the tankglass might be strong, but the glue on the other layers wont be, as it is gluing itself to topside of the first layer.
I know the saying that everything can be fixed with duct-tape and if it dosen't work it 's because you havnt used enough.
It dosn't hold true a 100% 
just my 0.2 cents anyway
(and sorry about the misuse of the english language -It aint my first or even second one)
wont the tape be influenced by moister, tempratur and pull? And wont that, atleast over time, wear out the support it is giving? It may work well for a while but I think it wont last forever and that it will start to give. And, also, that the glue thats holding the tape to the tankglass might be strong, but the glue on the other layers wont be, as it is gluing itself to topside of the first layer.
I know the saying that everything can be fixed with duct-tape and if it dosen't work it 's because you havnt used enough.
It dosn't hold true a 100% just my 0.2 cents anyway
(and sorry about the misuse of the english language -It aint my first or even second one)
If it is for bowing, AFAIK it won't work. But, good luck. It sounds like you already sold youself on the idea and are trying to get everyone else to tell you how smart you are. I will err on the side of caution and ask for pics and proof before I decide 100%.
Hi Joe, I think some who are making posts to this thread are not reading through and so dont get it, understand it. Most of your questions are good, yes we talked about the steel and plastic banding but because of the maching to tighten that up we gave that idea up. The purpose is just to give a real lot of holding power of the front and back pane glass to the sides and bottom of the tank. I know it wont help with people having a bowing problem. I have read posts with front pane poping and other problems. I want this set up to last a long time so am taking my time with the whole project. I put a whole lumber yard inside the stand to make it last 50 years with water splashes from big fish. Now for the tank, you know it would be a disaster for the pane to pop off or any other problem with a 300 gal. I try to think of ideas that may help in ANY way. I have done a test sample of the ordinary nylon tape, about 3/4 inch wide around the bottom 9 times. The tape is rated at around 40 or 50 lbs one strand. I have neatly and professionally layered 9 times the tank bottom so far. I put each layer exactly on top of the other layer so it look professional. When going around each time it gets so strong, similar to a flat nylon rope tightly wound around. With so many layers it seems there is no flexibility but just a massive amount of holding power. The 3./4 inch glass probably will have little bowing and extreme holding power with the silicon, good Eurobracing at the top and reinforced with extra glass at the bottom built by the builder and the nylon tape. What I am trying to accomplish is just to hold all the seams together for a very long time. I seem to have found a good idea and want to share this with others who have big tanks. Of course you still have to level the stand, level the weight on the stand from the tank, take all the regular precautions. The neatly wound nylon can be covered with black silicon to preserve and hide the nylon. The nylon tape with some glue seems to have no affect to the silicon and is just in contact with the very outside part. There is no water in the tank yet so no bowing etc. Original bracing was hard black plastic trim along the top 1 1/2 inch wide. and just glass on the bottom with extra bracing inside the tank, a strip of glass with silicon. I think you are the only one who has tried hard to understand the consept, the others are skimming through so fast thay are not getting it.Dr Joe;1439460; said:
brcacti;1440331; said:
I read pretty well. There are a lot of "seems" in there. Most of the problems tanks run into is when things "seem" to be ok. The tank "seems" to be level. The stand "seems" to be level. Your idea "seems" to hold water (as it were) however I will wait to see the proof in the pudding.
I have seen many tanks older than 20 years holding up just fine with the hard plastic trim. I have never seen a tank hold up with the nylon tape, so pardon me if I want proof. You don't think the adhesive of the nylon will effect the silicon, but will the silicon effect the nylon tape. The black silicon you put over the nylon tape has curing agents in it, will they effect the nylon tape? Sure, it might not look like it NOW, but what about in a year? With 300 gallons of water behind it, I would HATE to be wrong. There are reasons that manufacturers (who have money at stake with warranties and reputation) use the tried and true method of the hard plastic trim... but, your idea may work. So... pictures and proof, please.
