The calculator I posted is based on a properly braced tank with a level and evenly supported base.
Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
1.8m tank with 8mm glass.
- Thread starter Michael.RSA
- Start date
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Factor_of_safety
Quoting: Essentially, how much stronger the system is than it usually needs to be for an intended load.
The idea for glass tanks is that we just don't want the tank to fail. It is catastrophic to suddenly lose 50 to 240 or more gallons of water in a living room or apartment, etc. The cost of the damage is much larger than the actual cost of the tank, much less the glass, sometimes 10+ times larger. The aggravation to people living there and the loss of fish is over and above that.
The safety factor is simply admitting that bad things happen with tanks:
1) glass is not perfect when it's made
2) glass weakens if it is exposed to temperature fluctuations
3) fish, kids, rocks, baseballs hit the glass
4) the tank is never made perfectly level
5) the tank is never situated perfectly level
6) houses and buildings move
7) tanks may get dropped while being handled
8) metal or plastic bracing may not be perfectly set or perfectly made
All of this goes into the idea that we just don't want the tank to ever fail. Makers of tanks have devised a factor of 3.8, which is more or less a factor derived from experience. Tanks with that safety factor seem to do fine. People with tanks often say they have not had a leak in 20+ years. 30+ years, I'm sure.
Extra bracing may allow you do go lower than 3.8 in theory. But the exact amount, type and placement of the bracing could be different in every design, so in a practical sense, you are guessing whether or not the bracing is enough. Professionals and experienced builders of course are probably quite good at estimating the correct amounts.
Thanks for all the help guys, much more then i got on the south african forum, however i did find a tank thats well established for sale and comes with a sump for just a little extra
