Euro bracing - need help

[expat701]

Hi,

I want to order a new 5'L x 2'H x 2'W tank.

I want to make sure it's built correctly... by this I mean safely. I don't want to take any chances.

I know I need to make sure it's 12mm glass all round. But i've some questions about Euro bracing.

1) Is Euro bracing enough or should I also get a center brace?

2) Assuming the Euro braces are also 12mm thick (same as the tank glass) how wide should they be? What is the usual width on your tanks?

3) I've seen lots of comments about Euro bracing top and bottom... Is the bottom Euro bracing the same width as the top bracing?

4) Where is the bottom Euro bracing? Is it on the inside of the tank around the bottom parameter or underneath the tank so as the tank actually sits on top of this bracing? I can't tell from the pics.

5) Is the Euro bracing on well built tanks "overlapping"? By this I mean is the front and back bracing running full length of the tank with the side bracing sitting on top or below the front/back bracing with the corners actually overlapping??? What about with the bottom Euro bracing???

6) Finally with the Euro bracing in place, how do you get access into your overflow weir? Assuming here the overflow is 6"x6"...

Sorry for so many questions but I live in Hong Kong and want to be sure my new tank is built well. The tanks you have in Singapore as SO well built. I want to get one as nice.

I really appreciate answers to my questions above.

I'd really like to hear from people with tanks built by Mr Goh as he seems to build some of the nicest tanks I've seen. Thanks again for your help

[expat701]

No one wants to help me here?

[FuEl]

I'll try my best to help you. But a good and experienced tankmaker should know what to do.

1) Eurobracing is strong enough

2) Not sure. Generally the wider the better. I won't go anywhere below 2 inches.

3) Normally the same

4) Its inside the tank

5) Yes they overlap. That's where the strength of eurobracing comes from.

6) You can have the option of having the overflow done externally for easy access. Or if you can always consider having the overflow in the middle of the tank. Does'nt neccessarily have to always be against the corner or back of the tank.

For your return piping you can either drill a hole in the tank wall itself if you want to..or you can drill a hole in the eurobracing before it is put in place.