How do I know if these braces I've designed are sufficient?

[tfn]

Hi!
I've been hung-up on this for a while and I was wondering if anyone could help me answer the question.



I've already built this tank but am yet to put in any braces. All the glass is 6mm except the base which is 10mm
I think euro bracing will look ugly and cause obstruction since the tank has only a 21.5cm width, so I'd like to attach the lids with long, plastic runner clips.

I would REALLY appreciate any help, thoughts, or musings from anyone who is able
Thank you

 

[tlindsey]

Hi!
I've been hung-up on this for a while and I was wondering if anyone could help me answer the question.

View attachment 1525007

I've already built this tank but am yet to put in any braces. All the glass is 6mm except the base which is 10mm
I think euro bracing will look ugly and cause obstruction since the tank has only a 21.5cm width, so I'd like to attach the lids with long, plastic runner clips.

I would REALLY appreciate any help, thoughts, or musings from anyone who is able
Thank you

Welcome aboard
That's a nice tank build unfortunately I don't have experience about the bracing but other members will chime in with their experience.

 

[Backfromthedead]

Consider 10mm for the entire build, maybe even 12mm for the bottom. 6mm glass breaks when leaned on, nudged with hard objects, or a stiff breeze is on the air. At around 6' long that will be a fragile tank, and consider that with 6mm you will only have about half as much silicone adhesion at the seams vs 10mm.

 

[tfn]

Consider 10mm for the entire build, maybe even 12mm for the bottom. 6mm glass breaks when leaned on, nudged with hard objects, or a stiff breeze is on the air. At around 6' long that will be a fragile tank, and consider that with 6mm you will only have about half as much silicone adhesion at the seams vs 10mm.

I appreciate your input, though the tank is already built with 6mm glass
It was actually even larger with euro & cross bracing before, but I have cut it down and reassembled it and now euro would obstruct too much.
I'm looking to beef-up the previously-thin cross bracing to make up for the lack of long-side euro braces (and the volume is now lower so that shouldn't be difficult)

 

[Midwater]

I don't know abut the thickness of glass. And whenever I have designed a tank, I have taken head of the constructor's advice and redesigned.

Your design may well be sufficient, but in term of physics, the greatest hydrostatic pressure will be in the centre of the longest sides. And you do not have a brace there.

 

[phreeflow]

wednesday13

 

[LukeOscar]

if your measurements in the picture are correct. and the tanks only 6ft long and 15" tall. your more then fine with the braces pictured.

 

[Backfromthedead]

I appreciate your input, though the tank is already built with 6mm glass
It was actually even larger with euro & cross bracing before, but I have cut it down and reassembled it and now euro would obstruct too much.
I'm looking to beef-up the previously-thin cross bracing to make up for the lack of long-side euro braces (and the volume is now lower so that shouldn't be difficult)

Ah i see. Imo youre running a bit of a risk with the eurobracing removed on the long sides. In the case of this tank it would be pretty important that the entire span is reinforced by the eurobrace glass strip, especially in the middle as Midwater suggested. The eurobracing simply adds much greater stiffness to the entire panel. If the eurobracing was on top of the panels initially (not inset) then it also adds some protection from impacts, will break first to give you a chance to recover the tank instead of the long panel just blowing out if you happen to drop something on it.

BUT...at 12-13" high or whatever .38 meters is, this tank will probably hold water just fine for a while. Your proposed bracing is minimal but should be enough. If you were so inclined you could cut two more strips of glass to cross brace the ends of the tank. This would reinforce the vertical seams quite a bit and add greatly to the strength of your design imo. Glass tanks are always weakest at the seams. At the very least, i would add some sort of protective trim around the rim to protect the glass.

 

[tfn]

if your measurements in the picture are correct. and the tanks only 6ft long and 15" tall. your more then fine with the braces pictured.

Your opinion definitely makes me feel better about it. I think I'll add a third one to be safe.

... BUT...at 12-13" high or whatever .38 meters is, this tank will probably hold water just fine for a while. Your proposed bracing is minimal but should be enough. If you were so inclined you could cut two more strips of glass to cross brace the ends of the tank. This would reinforce the vertical seams quite a bit and add greatly to the strength of your design imo. Glass tanks are always weakest at the seams. At the very least, i would add some sort of protective trim around the rim to protect the glass.

I think you're right about the seams. Thanks for the input!

Since nobody has a definitive answer, I'll just beef it up further and call it a day