Custom Tank Wall Thickness: How Much is Enough?

[aquaventions]

I'm getting quotes for a tall bow front aquarium with a small footprint 48x24x36 28" bow, but the walls are coming in at different thicknesses. Two quotes use 1" for all walls, another uses 1" for all walls except for the 3/4" front, while the last plans on using 3/4" for all walls.

How do I figure out what is appropriate for the aquarium?

 

[cvermeulen]

I saw a 48" tall bowfront recently with only 1/2" front pane. 1" is overkill unless we're talking acrylic.

 

[aquaventions]

The tank will be acrylic.

 

[cvermeulen]

Then 3/4 to 1" is reasonable. Depends how much factor of safety you want.

 

[aquaventions]

I'm looking for a 20% safety factor. Do you know how 3/4" and 1" compare with this? If I could afford overkill that's what I would do. Which one would you chose?

 

[cvermeulen]

I'm looking for a 20% safety factor. Do you know how 3/4" and 1" compare with this? If I could afford overkill that's what I would do. Which one would you chose?

20% safety factor? Cutting it a little close don't you think? Typical safety factors are between 300% and 1500% depending on the situation. Trust your builder, it seems like they are in the right ballpark. Ask if they will guarantee the work for any length of time. 3/4" is skinny for a tank that tall, but being bowfront and such a small footprint it might be OK.