Tank with glass skirting on mouth of tank

**teowws** · 14th May 2010, 11:23

Is there a particular reason why some tank need 2 pieces of glass siliconed to the side of the tank mouth? I have one tank that comes with these and actually its preventing me putting a lily pipe or similar stuff at the side of the tank, feel like removing it away but not sure if these 2 glass is it used to support the tank structure.

my tank is 3ft by 1ft by 1.5ft and 10mm thick float glass.

Anyone can enlighten me?

**eviltrain** · 14th May 2010, 11:35

its actually call bracing, a extra piece to keep your 3 feet tank in shape. without the bracing, your tank might not have enough support when its is full of water.

**nohomeleave** · 14th May 2010, 11:48

Hwah, learnt something new today!

**teowws** · 14th May 2010, 12:39

Originally Posted by eviltrain

its actually call bracing, a extra piece to keep your 3 feet tank in shape. without the bracing, your tank might not have enough support when its is full of water.

oh i see...then why not all similar size tank have...i see alot which does not have bracing...thats why i am confuse about the purpose...

**BFG** · 14th May 2010, 12:48

Tanks that do not have these bracing are called brace-less tank. Not anyone can do a brace-less tank and guarantee that the tank wouldn't fall apart. A tank with 4 sided bracing is called Euro bracing.

Hope this helps!

**kelvin** · 18th May 2010, 09:04

Also, no matter how strong the silicon is, a braceless and 'minimal silicon' job will still fall apart. This is due to basic science; having such minimal contact between silicon and glass, the possibility of the 2 surfaces detaching is very high.
If you want to try solve the problem, bring the tank to a tank maker, and get them to drill a large hole in your bracing. Otherwise, since yours is only side-bracing, why don't you try to situated your lily pipe at the back or front panel.

**Navanod** · 18th May 2010, 09:28

Originally Posted by kelvin

Also, no matter how strong the silicon is, a braceless and 'minimal silicon' job will still fall apart. This is due to basic science; having such minimal contact between silicon and glass, the possibility of the 2 surfaces detaching is very high.
If you want to try solve the problem, bring the tank to a tank maker, and get them to drill a large hole in your bracing. Otherwise, since yours is only side-bracing, why don't you try to situated your lily pipe at the back or front panel.

Erm, you're making me worried!

CADE, ADA and Borneowild tanks used that claim

**kelvin** · 18th May 2010, 09:35

Well, perhaps I should have mentioned that when i say "possibility", i meant "possibility of falling apart when struck by a huge impact". Haha

I dont think it's right for me to comment on the various brands' claims, because i'm sure they know what they are doing. But i do know that if any tanks shall break within a short period after buying, it wouldn't be due to the silicon degrading, but more of the owner's mishandling. Since i have young children in my house, i'd prefer having a braced tank. Just to be safe.

**teowws** · 18th May 2010, 12:46

Originally Posted by kelvin

Also, no matter how strong the silicon is, a braceless and 'minimal silicon' job will still fall apart. This is due to basic science; having such minimal contact between silicon and glass, the possibility of the 2 surfaces detaching is very high.
If you want to try solve the problem, bring the tank to a tank maker, and get them to drill a large hole in your bracing. Otherwise, since yours is only side-bracing, why don't you try to situated your lily pipe at the back or front panel.

well my tank is inside a cabinet so the top front and back and one side of the tank is already flush with my cabinet so theres no room for me to work with and only left one side is available

Bring tank to tank maker...sweat

....don't think i got the manpower...transport to bring the heavy tank anywhere.

**kelvin** · 18th May 2010, 12:58

What's the width of your brace? if it is maybe less than 2 inches wide, you might have a hope of getting the larger lily pipes.
Otherwise, lets hope the equipment manufacturers can churn out a gigantic lily pipe for tanks with braces. I've been wondering why they have never produce such a large lily pipe, when many tanks are large tanks and i'm quite sure they need some form of bracing or another.

**felix_fx2** · 22nd May 2010, 00:55

Your space constrain abit tight, but yet your forcing yourself to use lily pipe.
not many choices for you bro. many tank makers drill a hole in the brace for inserting the pipes (but it might still not fit the lily pipe).

Get a glass maker to come over and pay extra for his transport or do away with lily pipe.
Even better get someone to make a replica.

**teowws** · 25th May 2010, 09:05

Originally Posted by felix_fx2

Your space constrain abit tight, but yet your forcing yourself to use lily pipe.
not many choices for you bro. many tank makers drill a hole in the brace for inserting the pipes (but it might still not fit the lily pipe).

Get a glass maker to come over and pay extra for his transport or do away with lily pipe.
Even better get someone to make a replica.

Give up on using lily pipe with all this obstacles already...i guess did not really thought it out when getting my tank made.

**eviltrain** · 25th May 2010, 09:44

erm, why not fit the lily pipe at the back corner of the tank? it will work the same way. visually, you also won't see it there.

**teowws** · 25th May 2010, 21:51

Originally Posted by eviltrain

erm, why not fit the lily pipe at the back corner of the tank? it will work the same way. visually, you also won't see it there.

impossible coz the tank is enclose in a cabinet so no space to put anything at any corner, my new house renovation contractor "act smart" think its just a tank for goldfish and improvise to cut corners ..long story...haiz