Eurobrace or splitted brace? (1 Viewer)

[fishcraze]

I'm not going to have a $#!$! center brace on my new 200 gal tank (6ft L X 2ft H X 26" W). Now the tk builder (Universal) offers me 2 options:
- Eurobrace: the braces (on the front/ back glasses) are ~3 - 4" wide

- Splitted brace: instead of a single 24" wide brace, i can go w/ two 6" braces.

Both of these have some pro/cons, but i'm leaning to a spitted brace. What do you think?

 

[Guest]

I don't see any advantage to the split brace - you just have 2 braces to keep clean instead of 1. With the eurobracing, you could probably just let it go - 3-4" blocked in the front and back is not going to have a significant effect on the light reaching the tank. It's the shadow cast by a dirty brace over the middle of the tank that's a problem.

BTW - could you give me an idea how much this tank is costing (PM me if you want)? I am planning on upgrading to a very similar custom-built tank in the next couple years, and I would like to know how much I need to start saving.

 

[Guest]

The problem with Eurobracing is that it makes mounting HOT items (filters, powerheads, SeaSwirls...etc) prohibitive, or at the very least very difficult. I would go with the two 6" braces. This way you could have you MH bulbs mounted over the open areas, and therefore minimal interference by the split bracing. True, you would still have cleaning to do on the two braces, but it would not be as prohibitive in the same categories as the single center brace or the Eurobracing.

Jim 8)

 

[Guest]

bracing

Dittos Jim on 2 split braces.

See if Starphire Clear is an option for braces as it is low iron (no jade green tint) and should transmit light better. Hey, maybe the variations in light penetration might be more natural.

Lee

 

[rhane71]

your braces will become stained over time with the salt and minerals that deposit on them. I see you are going closed loop and you have no need for hang on items. this being said I would go euro and enjoy the freedom of puting your lights anyway you want. I also plan on buying a new tank sometime after I get back from Itally. It will be euro braces without a doubt...

abran

 

[fishcraze]

Abran wrote:
your braces will become stained over time with the salt and minerals that deposit on them..

Jim wrote:
The problem with Eurobracing is that it makes mounting HOT items (filters, powerheads, SeaSwirls...etc) prohibitive, or at the very least very difficult

Those are exactly my concerns about the 2 options. Eventhough I'm going to have a closed loop, but still have two returns from the sump pump that go to the top of the tank. Unless I mount the returns on the side glasses - but they may stand out so much that way... Gee, I hope they would come up w/ a better tk design in the future where no brace is needed except the wooden braces on the bottom/top.

Abran, are you going to get a 500gal tk this time

Mikester, i sent you a pm.