Long Narrow Tank Glass Thickness Advice

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cockroach

cockroach

Goliath Tigerfish
MFK Member
Jul 28, 2005
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Taiwan
There are some very knowledgeable DIYers on this forum hence me asking.

I am looking to set up a few long narrow tanks. As in, 150cm x 30cm 30cm (60" x 12" x 12").

I have looked at numerous charts and used numerous online aquarium glass thickness calculators. Most suggest min 4mm to 6mm glass. I assume these measurements assume a bracket, or two, will be present. This was also taking a safety factor of 5-6 into consideration as opposed to the usual 2.5-3.

Now for the question section.
I am quite keen to do a bracket-less tank set up. What is the thickness of glass I would need to be safe? Would 6mm suffice or should I go with something thicker. Maybe 8mm?
 
If I was to add center bracket, two at 50cm apart, would I be able to go with 5mm glass.
I would really like to be able to move the tanks on my own and do not want to have to solicate help when adjusting or moving tanks.
Backfromthedead Backfromthedead
 
cockroach said:
If I was to add center bracket, two at 50cm apart, would I be able to go with 5mm glass.
I would really like to be able to move the tanks on my own and do not want to have to solicate help when adjusting or moving tanks.
Backfromthedead Backfromthedead
Click to expand...

I think 3/8" is a much better choice. 5mm glass will be very fragile, especially when youre trying to move it like you say. I once broke a 1/4" pane on a 46 gallon tank adjusting the filter. I think the difference in weight will be negligible as far as moving it. A furniture dolley will help you out a lot with that.

Definitely include some bracing if you go with the 1/4".
 
For something like that I would use acrylic. It’s super ligh5 and a couple of strip braces would keep it tight.
 
Glass in Taiwan is much more popular than acrylic for some reason. Could be cost, could be earthquakes. not sure why.
 
I used to build a lot of tanks using 6mm glass and had good luck doing so. I build quite a few that were 72x18x18 and never had a problem as long as I euro braced and had a solid sheet of foam to set it on for weight distribution. No way would I have tried a rimless tank with 6mm.
I built a few rimless that were 18x18x18, approx. 25 gallons, and even this seemed to be pushing the limits. I think if you use 6mm on a tank 60x12x12, and include 2 cross braces, you should be ok. Don't even consider 5mm.
 
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I have decided to go with brackets as I need the tanks light weight.
According to a tank manufacturing company I contacted here, I can get the tanks made with 5mm as long as I have bracing and each tank will only cost US$55.29 delivered to my house.
That includes being drilled.
 
I built my 700L 160x60x70 tank with 10mm and its not a problem moving it around at all on two guys. I know im pushing the limit of the glass on the thickness but i built it with one centerbrace thats 10cm wide and to 10cm braces along the lengt of the tank.
 
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