Parker's 265 Build - Thread Retired

[sphelps]

I would look at that as a blessing in disguise. Ditch the large center brace and go with a euro brace instead. You could still add two smaller center braces for additional support. At least that way you could offset them so 3 halides could shine through without going through any glass.

[Parker]

I like the idea of a euro braced tank. What dimensions should the glass be, thickness and width?

[Delphinus]

I'm not entirely certain if there's a hard science behind brace sizing, but FWIW, on my 280g (which is 72x30x30), the perimeter bracing is 6"x3/4" glass (super beefy stuff). On my 110g (which is 30x30x30), the perimeter bracing is 2"x1/2" (might be 5/8", not entirely sure) glass.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by Parker

I like the idea of a euro braced tank. What dimensions should the glass be, thickness and width?

I can figure it out for you if you tell me the tank glass thickness.

[Parker]

Originally Posted by sphelps

I can figure it out for you if you tell me the tank glass thickness.

The tank is 5/8 I believe.

[sphelps]

so 15mm then.

[Parker]

Originally Posted by sphelps

so 15mm then.

Would that need to be 15mm x 4" or 6"

Sorry to be a pain

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by Parker

Would that need to be 15mm x 4" or 6"

Sorry to be a pain

No worries I was actually just confirming glass thickness.

Here's what I got for you:

First off this analysis may not be correct in actual displacement values as representing silicon seams and dynamic behavior is difficult and unnecessary.

So we start off by seeing what you had before, not intirely sure but my experience shows most of these larger tanks have 18" wide center brace with about a 1" trim around the top:

This is showing a displacement of 0.26mm and a somewhat unhealthy displacement pattern.

The goal here would be to at least match the displacement, as already stated the actual number isn't important, we just want to come close to matching it.

First lets compare to no bracing:

This shows max displacement of 2.22mm, so center brace does a lot.

Now lets try a 15mm x 4" Euro Brace, bigger than 4" and it's awkward, any smaller than 4" and the glass shop will be b*tching.

This shows 0.36mm max displacement and a healthier displacement pattern. This will be good, not much difference from the center brace.

However we'll take it one step further and place in 2 center braces 4" wide. Not ideal but better than the large one in the center.

Well look at that 0.26mm max and way better displacement pattern than the center brace alone.

I leave the choice up to you, but it's interesting to see, that center brace does a good job no wonder the manufacturers use them, cheap and effective. Just sucks for us.

HTH