Bought tank set-up on sale

[sakaspuds]

a bit like this, mine has ones that go the whole length of the tank front and back too, with the middle one being 'stuck' to them, you can read this page, i didnt look at it all, but it shold tell you how to seal the joints... http/saltaquarium.about.com/cs/aquariumd...120897diyaq.htm

 

[Elisabeth83]

So is it worth it to make the support bars...or should I just return it? That's what I am wondering....

I don't want to keep a tank that is a risk of busting...but If I make the support bars will the tank then be fine?

What a hassle this day is turning into

 

[cometcattle]

any tank larger than 1ft in length needs suport.

So a 10g tank needs support bars?


According to All-Glass, only large aquariums need them. If the tank is well built, you shouldn't need them.

http/www.all-glass.com/products/aquariums/index.html

 

[Elisabeth83]

Is it normal for a tank of these dimensions to even need support bars? I'm thinking it's only like this cause it's cheaper quality. I'm thinking if I went and bought a more name brand tank with the same dimensions that it wouldn't bow and I wouldn't even need the support bars?

 

[sakaspuds]

i'd say a tank up to 2 feet does not need to be braced... just my opinion

 

[sakaspuds]

well my tank it 36''x18''x12'' and it is braced, i think it is about 24gallons, if you are in any doubt, i'd say take it back, its better to be safe than sorry

 

[james04]

the reason they need this support is to brace against knocks, not just the weight of the water. i have a 1 1/2 ft hospital tank with 1 support along the front.

 

[reiben]

I thought anything over a 10 needed too be braced...

 

[Elisabeth83]

Your tank sounds almost the same as mine....how thick is your glass? mine is about 4.5mm

 

[lady_tanksalot]

hi elizabeth

IMO if you've bought the tank for the use of an aquarium, it should not leave you in fear of it bursting. it should be up to the job that it is designed for, hence if a atnk this size does need support bars surly the manufacturer would have put them in, just by way the tank lid will not fit leads me to believe it is faulty.

by doing any diy you will invalidate any guarantee you have any if you do it wrong and the tank still bursts, your stuffed.

i'd take it back and not risk the stress and hassle, as i say thats my opinion, you may not agree

 

[james04]

at the end of the day it would still be a good idea to question if it needs support just to make sure.

 

[Sean_Buckley]

My 33 gallon isn't braced, and it doesn't bow or anything. Should I brace it? Its all glass with plastic trim all around it...
Sean

 

[sakaspuds]

Your tank sounds almost the same as mine....how thick is your glass? mine is about 4.5mm

mine is 6mm

 

[Elisabeth83]

I'm screwed already cause there was this ugly black filter box siliconed inside of it that I took out and replaced it with a fluvel filter instead. I guess my only option is to put the braces on it.

Is 4.5mm glass too thin for an aquarium this size?

I measured the glass in my 2 other tanks and the glass in them is about 5-5-5mm thick and both of them are smaller.

 

[sakaspuds]

i'd brace it, it cant do any harm, make sure your b/f does it right, and you will have no more trouble!, or find someone who is a pro to do it