So I’m building a custom tank dems are 48x36x21. I’m tearing apart a 55gallon tank I’m only using the sides off it. I didn’t realize it’s different from my tank I’m using now since that is 3/8” thick and this one is 1/4” thick.. so I’m custom building a 150 gal and I’m curious if the 1/4” front and back pieces would be able to be used. The rest of the glass I have ordered and it is 3/8” thick which will be the bottom 47”x36” and the sides 21”x36” both 3/8” thick. Thanks.
Building tank
- Thread starter kylei
- Start date
Whew...if this is your first tank I'd say you're playing with fire. The bottom panel is a point of concern. You will have to use caution when scaping and working with that tank as 3/8" is by my standards "skimpy" for a 48x36 bottom panel.
Still, what you're suggesting can be accomplished with the right skills and proper design. I will inform you that you are using the absolute minimum thickness material for this build so everything else must be perfect if you want a successful tank.
I need some more details about your design. Are you building with a sump and drilling an overflow? If not how will this thing be filtered? For your proposed 48x36x21 tank with a floating bottom design you should have:
2x 48"x21"x1/4" panels
2x 35-7/16"x 21"x 3/8" panels
1x 35-3/8"x 47-1/8"x3/8" bottom panel.
With those dimensions and material you will have to design an effective and sturdy top brace. I would use a full perimeter glass "eurobrace" design with 3/8" glass, and further brace the 48" span in the middle with a section of 3/8" glass as well. So in addition to above panels:
2x 48"x4"x3/8" glass
3x 35-7/16"x4"x3/8" glass
You will need to install some sort of "leveling" layer between tank and stand if you're building this tank without trim (glass on stand). I use 1/2" foam insulation sheets cut to size for my diy tanks.
Still, what you're suggesting can be accomplished with the right skills and proper design. I will inform you that you are using the absolute minimum thickness material for this build so everything else must be perfect if you want a successful tank.
I need some more details about your design. Are you building with a sump and drilling an overflow? If not how will this thing be filtered? For your proposed 48x36x21 tank with a floating bottom design you should have:
2x 48"x21"x1/4" panels
2x 35-7/16"x 21"x 3/8" panels
1x 35-3/8"x 47-1/8"x3/8" bottom panel.
With those dimensions and material you will have to design an effective and sturdy top brace. I would use a full perimeter glass "eurobrace" design with 3/8" glass, and further brace the 48" span in the middle with a section of 3/8" glass as well. So in addition to above panels:
2x 48"x4"x3/8" glass
3x 35-7/16"x4"x3/8" glass
You will need to install some sort of "leveling" layer between tank and stand if you're building this tank without trim (glass on stand). I use 1/2" foam insulation sheets cut to size for my diy tanks.
I plan on bracing the middle with 36x12” so it’s braced good and the bottom will be meeting up with the front& back and same as the sides so no glass will be sitting on one another. I’m using a canister filter to filter the tank so no sump I have a 365 marine land canister filter.I’m building a custom stand with 2x4s for the tank I plan on running 2 each for legs and then cross bracing the middle using the X bracing if the canister filter isn’t good enough I’m going to throw a top filter on it also. I have a 55gal topfin and I had a aqeon tank with I tore apart for the front and back panel for the custom built tank.
I was just scared using 1/4” inch because the minimum is 3/8” which is what I have for the sides and bottom. So I was just wanting to make sure under pressure with my 9inch Oscar fighting the glass and messing with my 6 inch jack Dempsey I just didn’t want it to leak as my 55gal did I first bought. My topfin 55gal is 3/8” glass so I figured my Aqeon was also but when measured after I tore it apart it was 1/4”..
OK I have a good idea of what you're doing now. Still, I have to insist that you consider a full perimeter brace on top. If not, then at least brace all 4 corners with some pieces of glass. The glass you're using is just so thin...needs as much support as possible.
Like I said I think 1/4" is bare minimum for a 48x21" panel on this tank. It needs to be braced along the entire top edge though. The key is that you have the shorter sides 3/8" so the thicker 3/8" dimension will contain your vertical seam structural silicone. Even with 3/8" at 21" height I would still reinforce it with a glass brace though.
Gotcha I plan on doing that with these and then having a brace going across the front and back as you suggested I was just going to measure it out so I can use my 55gallon hood, and possibly a top filter. If the canister can’t keep up.
