Advice on Aquarium Glass Thickness Pleasee

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Sugo

Gambusia
MFK Member
Dec 24, 2009
174
0
16
Indonesia
Hi guys am thinking of getting a new aquarium 3m x 1m x 70cm (height) with all 12mm thick glass panels. What do you guys think? i checked on the aquarium safety calculator and its a 2.5 safety factor. Any advice will help thx guys.
 
Hi David!

Sounds like it's going to be a nice aquarium. I just ran your dimensions on the calculator and I got 13mm with a 2.5 to 1 Safety Factor. That's actually the minimum acceptable thickness.

What nominal glass thicknesses are available in your area that are greater than 12mm?
 
CLDarnell;4841521; said:
Hi David!

Sounds like it's going to be a nice aquarium. I just ran your dimensions on the calculator and I got 13mm with a 2.5 to 1 Safety Factor. That's actually the minimum acceptable thickness.

What nominal glass thicknesses are available in your area that are greater than 12mm?

Hi darnell,

Thx for your reply. They have the 15mm ones but they are like 5 times the price!! and that is kinda over my budget :( well the guy was saying that if they stick a 7mm and a 5mm glass together its going to be stronger and its only a lil bit more expensive. Whats your take on this bro. Thx again :)
 
Layering materials doesn't give you the same amount of strength that a material of equal thickness of the total would have. In other words, a panel of 12mm thick glass is going to be a LOT stronger than a 5mm and a 7mm panel on top of each other. It's not like plywood where they alternate grain layers and use glue, heat and pressure to force the layers together.

Second, I don't think it's a good idea to have narrow gaps between anything in a fish tank. Layering two panels of glass is going to have a very thin space between the panels. With this, there is always a risk of "nasties" making their home in there. Remember, a lot of stuff we deal with in fish keeping is microscopic. Once something gets in between the panels, you would never get it out. Even if it's nothing to be concerned about, cosmetically, you're screwed :)

Have you looked into a plywood build? Check out the DIY examples here at MFK. In some cases, the works of art created by members here look better than a simple, rectangle glass tank! If you went this route, you would only need one piece of glass.

Good luck to you!
 
Thank You Darnell for your great input and just in time too cuz im leaning towards the 7+5 as some people said that its stronger. Well i was considering the plywood tank but here in indonesia i cant find the necessary materials like the coatings and the sealants. Well to be fair they actually might have it but im not sure about the quality. Well back to the drawing board maybe ill go wit a smaller size like 2mx1mx70cm.

Thank you again darnell!
 
Hey, no idea whether you have decided to change the dimension or not but have you consider using concrete? also regarding coating for plywood, i believe there is a coating that people use for pond, not sure if it works on wood or not but you could ask around.
 
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