Tank dilemma, please help!!!

[Marcella]

Hello I need quick suggestions here please. We are having our tank made by a private guy. The tank is going to be
60"L x 24"W x 30"H (this is as big as we can go because of area). I wanted Starphire but it only comes in 1/2" thickness. I don't want any bracing because I know it will be a pain to clean the tank. The tank will be 187.1 gallons so there is no way I will take a change with only 1/2" thickness. The other option would be to make the bottom out of 5/8" regular glass and the 4 sides 3/4" regular glass. The tank will be situated so that it is viewed by all sides. So there is NO back side. Is there a BIG difference between Starphire and regular glass? I know AJ you love it. Do you have bracing?? How about cleaning?? Some people tell me it is not worth it because there is hardly any difference once you have the lights. Will 3/4" thickness be too thick. Keeping in mind the size of the aquarium please advise as I have to let the guy know by tomorrow (if I ever want this tank). Thanks in advance to all of you. Most appreciated. :dance: :wave:

[Michael_Lambert]

Marcella,

having a with Eurobracing would not cause issues with cleaning ? I have a custom made tank 150G, 48 long, 30 wide and 24 high and it has just the standard Black trim on it 1/2 inch glass. and 3/4 inch bottom!

I think going with a tank that long you are going to need some bracing! of some sort!

[Marcella]

Someone told me that Eurobracing was a 3" piece of glass put on top of the aquarium. So I thought when you go to clean it, it will always be in the way. Is Eurobracing then that black metal piece that goes around the entire tank. You see it in most aquairum or pet stores. Thanks

[Michael_Lambert]

No the black is just a standard old Trim,

Euro bracing is usally 3 inces wide by 1/2 inch thick all the way around the inside of the tank!

I would nto say it makes it harder to clean! ..

[ajx22]

Originally posted by Marcella
Hello I need quick suggestions here please. We are having our tank made by a private guy. The tank is going to be
60"L x 24"W x 30"H (this is as big as we can go because of area). I wanted Starphire but it only comes in 1/2" thickness. I don't want any bracing because I know it will be a pain to clean the tank. The tank will be 187.1 gallons so there is no way I will take a change with only 1/2" thickness. The other option would be to make the bottom out of 5/8" regular glass and the 4 sides 3/4" regular glass. The tank will be situated so that it is viewed by all sides. So there is NO back side. Is there a BIG difference between Starphire and regular glass? I know AJ you love it. Do you have bracing?? How about cleaning?? Some people tell me it is not worth it because there is hardly any difference once you have the lights. Will 3/4" thickness be too thick. Keeping in mind the size of the aquarium please advise as I have to let the guy know by tomorrow (if I ever want this tank). Thanks in advance to all of you. Most appreciated. :dance: :wave:

Check this link:
http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=376

I have Euro-Bracing - and there is NO issue with cleaning it at all. I too have my tank viewable from 3 sides (only one side connects to the cabinet where the refugium is - the front and end are visible from the main room...the other (back) side is viewable from the sunken livingroom behind it.

Anyone who has seen a regular tank next to a StarPhire tank - WILL tell you there is a BIG difference. Once you add the lights is when you get the difference - it's like looking through a green-tinted filter - light only makes the tinting more profound.

As I stated...StarPhire is worth it...BUT only if the builder knows how to work with it! Also...any tank that is 60" NEEDS good bracing, and Euro-Bracing is the way to go as it will not cast shadows into the tank from the lighting above it - and it doesn't melt like the plastic bracing does.

[Marcella]

Ok I'm sorry to sound so dumb, because this is ALL very new to me. But explain to me so I understand this. I picture this 3" Wide x 1/2" thick piece now is it go flush with the acquarium sides or does it lay flat on the inside top of the aquarium? I hope I haven't confused you. Thanks Toooloud.

[ajx22]

Marcella...

Click the link I posted in my last post...it SHOWS pictures of my tank with the Euro-Bracing.

[Marcella]

Thanks AJ I just saw it. Ok do you think I will need the euro bracing from front to back or will it be fine all around the tank?
Now here goes:
5/8" regular glass bottom
1/2" Starphire all four sides with euro bracing around the entire top of the tank (not sure of the front to back bracing for 60" x 24"W x 30"H).
Does this sound like it would work and not explode into my house!!!!!!! OMG I am so nervous about this.
I'm sooooo scared that 1/2" will not hold.
Thanks for the advice I appreciate it honestly I do.

[Michael_Lambert]

1/2 inch will be fine up to 6 feet long! .. longer than that you are going to need 3/4 and over 10 feet you would need 1 inch.

this is what i was told from Johnny a builder here in toronto.

[Marcella]

I was worried about the height 30". Someone told me that if you go that high then the thickness of the glass should be thicker.. Is this true???????

[Michael_Lambert]

naaa.. if you go above that then yes!

[Marcella]

ok just one more question (I hope). Has anyone ever heard of laminating 2 pieces of 1/2" Starphire together? If so is the clarity the same? Thanks

[Michael_Lambert]

Never seen it tried.. i would not see a reason for it! and you would lose clarity!
Not sure how much! but im sure you would!

[Sohal Tang]

marcella..I just spoke to my friend and I LIED SORRY.

He did NOT, contrary to my belief , purchase starfire.

so...at this point...I would recommend that the starfire
is not as important as the contents of the tank, lighting,
filtration...put the money into those items and not starfire
is my personal recommendation....unless of course money
is no object and if that is the case..then I suppose you
may as well have the best which is apparently starfire.

Good luck,

Tim
:D

[Michael_Lambert]

Originally posted by Sohal Tang
I would recommend that the starfire
is not as important as the contents of the tank, lighting,
filtration...put the money into those items and not starfire
is my personal recommendation....
Tim
:D

Tim,

or he could take the same advice you tell others.. and to take it slow! ..

if he is having the tank custom made! then he is going to want Starfire! unless you want to view through the glass and see a green haze to everything!

He does not need to spend all his money now and buy everything now .. he can spend the money on the glass he would prefer and then just buy the others as he has the money! he is not going to be running a full blown reef for a while!

Not to mention for a 6 foot tank he has there is nothing wrong with 1/2 starfire! look at AJ's tank its a 220G!

[Marcella]

Yup that's is definitely what we are going for, the best and we shall start off with the tank and go slowly step by step. Thanks for all your replies. Most appreciated!!!!!

TooooLoud I thank you very much and I will take your advice. What a wonderful person you must me. Have a wonderful evening. Hope to get some more advice from you very soon. Next step the stand. But of course I will take it very slow. LOL

[Michael_Lambert]

Like Aj said as well... You really want to spend the extra and have the eurobrace installed! .. All ways better to be safe!

[ajx22]

Originally posted by Marcella
Thanks AJ I just saw it. Ok do you think I will need the euro bracing from front to back or will it be fine all around the tank?
Now here goes:
5/8" regular glass bottom
1/2" Starphire all four sides with euro bracing around the entire top of the tank (not sure of the front to back bracing for 60" x 24"W x 30"H).
Does this sound like it would work and not explode into my house!!!!!!! OMG I am so nervous about this.
I'm sooooo scared that 1/2" will not hold.
Thanks for the advice I appreciate it honestly I do.

*****I would put one cross-beam in the exact middle. front to back to ensure a strong upper end. Will you NEED it...not really, but now much more is a 2" wide piece of glass that COULD someday help.



Originally posted by Marcella
I was worried about the height 30". Someone told me that if you go that high then the thickness of the glass should be thicker.. Is this true???????

*****My tank is 8' long - and is made 100% with 1/2" glass. Remember too that StarPhire glass is a bit stronger then standard glass. Get the builder to laminate the BOTTOM glass to a piece of 1/2" black plywood. This will give you added structure + will prevent the bottom from bumping anything and cracking. Then place a sheet of insulation foam (as seen in the link of my tanks set-up) between the tank and the stand + one between the stand and the floor - this will get rid of any imperfections that would cause stress-points in the tank. The wood + the foam is the way I have mine done...and it's bullet-proof!!



Originally posted by Marcella
ok just one more question (I hope). Has anyone ever heard of laminating 2 pieces of 1/2" Starphire together? If so is the clarity the same? Thanks

*****Laminating 2 pieces of glass together is a standard practice to cut the cost of thicker glass sheets. It's cheaper to get x2 pieces of 1/2" x 8' x 4' glass then it is to get x1 sheet of 1" x 8' x 4'. You would NOT need 1" thick glass in ANY way. You wouldn't even need 3/4". Like I said...my whole tank is made from 1/2" StarPhire & has the euro-bracing - and has stood up to moving from Florida to Ottawa, then moving to Brampton then moving again to Mississauga. So if it can handle all these moves + being set-up each time...then you won't have any problems with it either!

HTH,

[Marcella]

I can't thank you guys enough. This is what I need basic aquarium 101. In other words step by step and very, very slowly. Just wait until the real difficult part comes---the sump. OMG you may want to leave town then. LOL
Thanks

[Sohal Tang]

Marcella...I am NOT a handy man..at all!!!
So I know what you mean when you talk PLUMBING and SUMP.
However, once it is SET UP it is easy to understand how important it is and the benefits of a sump no doubt about it.
I had a friend hook my sump and plumbing up...took him about
mmmmm 20 minutes maybe 30.....DONE.

Course the tank was predrilled and had all parts ready to go.

Good luck again.

Tim
:D

[Michael_Lambert]

Well the one thing to remember Marcella, you are very local to most of us :) and we are allways doing road trips to help out others!!! Moving tanks, or just drewlying over other peoples tanks !

so keep that in mind if you ever need help.. or want someone to help you move that new tank you are getting :) I can think of atleast 5 people on the top of my head who would be up for a road trip :)

Keep us updated !:)

Mike!

[Marcella]

Thank you dear friend.
By the way when you post where are the little smilies you can add? Can't find where it is.

[ajx22]

Originally posted by Marcella
Thank you dear friend.
By the way when you post where are the little smilies you can add? Can't find where it is.

At the bottom right of the screen...click the http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/images/reply.gif button...then you will see a new screen open up that will allow you to reply (rather then using the quick-reply box below).

In this new window, you will see the smilies on the left side.
http://www.aquariumpros.ca/userfiles/smilies.jpg

Also...you can click the Get More link under the smilies - a new little window will open - that will show you even more smilies AND keyboard shortcuts to have them appear.

For instance...if you enter a colon : just before a ) - you get :)

HTH