AquaCulture 55 Deluxe

THUNDER

THUNDER

Banned
#1
Jul 22, 2006
567
4
0
#1
This is sold at WalMart. Does anyone know if the tank has a stress bar(s) on the bottom of the glass to within the huge amount of water? I've been researching and found that large tanks need to have stress bar(s).

Even when selecting a standard rectangular tank (which allows the best possible surface area), there are some things that should be kept in mind. First, it is a good idea to choose a large tank. Second, it is important that the tank is able to withstand the weight of the water inside it. The deciding factor between a high-quality tank and a low-quality tank, is in the thickness of the glass. Your tank is worth nothing if it should burst. Shop around and compare glass thickness for your desired size. (Perfecto makes a good tank). Large tanks (more than 48 inches long) should also have a stress bar across its center to help compensate for the water's tendancy to push apart the walls of the tank. Very large tanks will have more than one stress bar.

Thunder
 

Pure

Pure

Elite Fish
#2
Nov 1, 2005
3,216
7
0
Jacksonville, FL
#2
Now a-days most if not all large tanks sold in the US have this brace. I don't know for sure if the one your looking at does, but would assume it does. You work there, can't you pull one out of the box and check? I know an open box doesn't stop WalMart from selling stuff. :p
 

THUNDER

THUNDER

Banned
#3
Jul 22, 2006
567
4
0
#3
I am not going to mess with pulling out a large tank like that in the store! Ill find out when I buy it. Now, I have another question, which will need to be on another thread.

Thunder
 

THUNDER

THUNDER

Banned
#5
Jul 22, 2006
567
4
0
#5
OMG! I will when I am not 'on the clock' hence a curious customer buying a tank. ...and what does a bar look like?

Thunder
 

Avalon

Avalon

Superstar Fish
#7
Oct 22, 2002
2,846
10
0
Ft. Worth, TX
www.davidressel.com
#7
The thickness of glass is NOT what makes a quality tank. The silicone is the key. Of course, the glass thickness should be adequate (one would only hope). The vast majority of tanks use regular fish safe silicone, therefore, require braces. But what about the braceless tanks that exceed 75g? It's the silicone, not the glass thickness! You can easily tell quality difference between a Wal-Mart tank and an Oceanic, and it's by the silicone. There's a substantial difference between All-Glass and Oceanic, although AG now owns Oceanic, but I have tanks by both from "back in the day." The silicone is the deciding factor.

Check out ADA (Aqua Design Amano) tanks. To my knowledge, ADA is the only manufacturer that has braceless glass tanks exceeding 75g. Of course, you will pay for that quality. ;)
 

THUNDER

THUNDER

Banned
#8
Jul 22, 2006
567
4
0
#8
Thanks guys.

Avalon, useful information, but needing more help. I will try to find sites that have affordable 55G tanky or larger, depending on price and size. I am unsure of what brand the AquaCulture glass tank is made from at WalMart.

Thunder
 

F

fishbrain

Large Fish
#9
Oct 2, 2003
296
0
0
54
Central NY, USA
www.geocities.com
#9
There is a Top brace on the 55 gal. sold by walmart; I bought one.

Avalon said:
The thickness of glass is NOT what makes a quality tank. The silicone is the key. Of course, the glass thickness should be adequate (one would only hope). The vast majority of tanks use regular fish safe silicone, therefore, require braces. But what about the braceless tanks that exceed 75g? It's the silicone, not the glass thickness! You can easily tell quality difference between a Wal-Mart tank and an Oceanic, and it's by the silicone. There's a substantial difference between All-Glass and Oceanic, although AG now owns Oceanic, but I have tanks by both from "back in the day." The silicone is the deciding factor.

Check out ADA (Aqua Design Amano) tanks. To my knowledge, ADA is the only manufacturer that has braceless glass tanks exceeding 75g. Of course, you will pay for that quality. ;)
Click to expand...
Avalon, Oceanic tanks also have thicker glass (as well as the nicely done silicone). I have a brand new Oceanic 30 gal. cube (still empty.... someday to go in a tv housing/cabinet)
 

THUNDER

THUNDER

Banned
#10
Jul 22, 2006
567
4
0
#10
The top brace is good for holding the sides together. There is something else thats important. A support bar for the center of the bottom glass, due to the weight of the water and materials.

Thunder
 

Avalon

Avalon

Superstar Fish
#11
Oct 22, 2002
2,846
10
0
Ft. Worth, TX
www.davidressel.com
#11
The majority of 55g, 75g, 90g, 100g, and up will have braces. It's pretty common. To boil it down to what's good and what isn't, I would be worried about "generic" tanks your LFS can get. You can tell these tanks by the lack of beveled edges, and a lack of matching edges. I wouldn't trust those tanks. I've noticed that Top Fin, All Glass, and Oceanic tanks are very decent tanks. My very first tank was a 29g Wal-Mart special. It worked out well. I haven't noticed any reason why their 55g wouldn't work either. I've owned many 10g's, and I have my 'druthers, but small tanks typically work out well. The bigger the tank, above 55g, the more emphasis should be placed upon quality. You can't afford for a large tank to fault!
 

animal lover

animal lover

Large Fish
#15
Feb 22, 2003
343
0
0
43
Canada
Visit site
#15
I believe my 125g is Oceanic but I can't rmember for the life of me wether there is a bottom brace on it...I will have to check. It does have a top brace as well the glass is 3/4 inch thick. Now I'm really wondering about a bottom I'll get back to ya'll on that one.
 

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