DIY 450G Glass Tank

[David R]

19mm is overkill for 30" high IMO, and 1" is ridiculous. Assuming that you're going 30" tall and 33" wide 15mm glass would give you a safety factor of 2.5 (which is plenty safe), and the tank would weigh around 400kg.
Check out this handy little took; http://www.theaquatools.com/building-your-aquarium

*edit* just saw you've changed your dimensions to 10x3x2'. If you're talking LxWxH then 12mm glass will be plenty for the 2' height, safety factor will be 3.1 for that size with 12mm if properly braced and supported. Anything more and you'll just be throwing away money and making your tank heavier than it needs to be. My old 370g (240x97x62cm) was 12mm, and this 8x6x3' is 19mm. Just a couple of examples in case you're worried about the glass thickness...

 

[Gar88]

Thank David for ur reply...

The bracing I want it to be done only on the top preferred... No bottom if I can avoid it, don't like the look of it. I will try to get a MS Paint drawing done later on....
So if go 10'X3'X30" I would need 15mm.... That's it?
I chkd on the link... I used it but was just not sure.... Surely if I can save money, hell ya why not...


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[mike_sema]

Looking forward to seeing this come to life. So what will be your main stock?

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[David R]

I would say 30" high should be ok with 15mm, it would give you a safety factor of around 2.5 if braced properly, and I'm guessing that would include bracing across the seams between the fromt/back panels and the base (and possibly the ends. The pressure on those lower seams increases greatly with any increase in depth, thats where your tank needs to be strongest, I'd be pretty reluctant to skip that bracing.

Just curious, how much experience do you have making glass tanks? Seems like a pretty ambitious DIY project to me, but if you know what you're doing then why not! Even if you don't get a professional to make it, if you know anyone with experience building big tanks then it would be worth while chatting to them about bracing etc.

I just spoke to my tank maker about my next tank (similar size) and he said there will be a huge jump in price from 12mm to 15mm, as the 15mm can't be cut conventionally as it won't break clean and straight, so needs to be cut oversized and machined straight by the supplier. I was going to go 70cm high, but might drop it down to 65cm high just to give it a slightly better safety factor.

 

[Gar88]

Looking forward to seeing this come to life. So what will be your main stock?

sent from work

Thx Mike... About time it came to life .... Stock will be the bichirs I hold hopefully I add few more if I go honeymooning to Thailand.... And 6 Dats, 1 Fire Eel and I am keeping my fingers crossed on PBass which I am going to enquire about today .... If not some school of natives B. Canerensis....

Cheers....


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[Gar88]

I would say 30" high should be ok with 15mm, it would give you a safety factor of around 2.5 if braced properly, and I'm guessing that would include bracing across the seams between the fromt/back panels and the base (and possibly the ends. The pressure on those lower seams increases greatly with any increase in depth, thats where your tank needs to be strongest, I'd be pretty reluctant to skip that bracing.

Just curious, how much experience do you have making glass tanks? Seems like a pretty ambitious DIY project to me, but if you know what you're doing then why not! Even if you don't get a professional to make it, if you know anyone with experience building big tanks then it would be worth while chatting to them about bracing etc.

I just spoke to my tank maker about my next tank (similar size) and he said there will be a huge jump in price from 12mm to 15mm, as the 15mm can't be cut conventionally as it won't break clean and straight, so needs to be cut oversized and machined straight by the supplier. I was going to go 70cm high, but might drop it down to 65cm high just to give it a slightly better safety factor.

Appreciate ur help David.... The 90g (1st pic) and 110g(2nd pic top left) are built by me... Have built several 10g's and one 30g as well....
For sure gonna get some good help on this one though as the size demands....
I have no choice then on the bracing... No issues will get it all braced top and bottom with sides and centre.... If I get time later will sketch and post up, also will give a current situation of my fish room... My fishes are dealing with lot of dust to say the least.... Hope they don't mind the lil stress


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[David R]

That is a wise idea not to skimp on the bracing, and it sounds like you've got the experience to step up to the project. You're a braver man than I!!

I don't particularly like the look of the bracing across the front either, especially with my geophagus that always seem to uncover it, but it looks better than a blown out seam. I guess thicker glass would go some way towards reducing the need for it, but I don't know how much thicker it would need to be. If it is the 'stepped down' look you don't like you could use a full sheet cut to the right size to fit inside the walls so that it would be braced completely on all sides around the bottom but still have the flat unbraced look. It would add more weight though, and won't help if you don't like the way the double layer looks from the front.

Looking forward to seeing how it goes.

 

[Gar88]

Won't be experimenting a lot gonna have the KISS attitude and get the basics right. I may have a solution for the bottom bracing infact, I was to get this done on my 195g but due to immobility of the tank I'm going to change the background which is blue. So my person who does this sticker work said he can get the vinyl done from the inside and will mould the sticker to fit the size. This way I can get what I want and have the safety factor insured.
So for now I have a big job of moving all the tanks so all work can progress without any hurdle... Sigh!
And I have to figure out the overflow to decide on the drilling and stuff. Also, I am considering a drip system. For this I will seek Mike's help , first I will check with my plumber about the piping and stuff...
This is the state of the room as of now...



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[Gar88]

A quick update on my fish room. The electrical points are being installed and the door to the room is in progress. The door itself should take around 5-7 days to be done. So the development on the stand itself won't come along until next week. Today received the wood for the stand. Here are some pics with all the tanks as well placed outside. It was quite a tedious day yesterday moving them tanks and fish. My Auranti is stressed from the move rest all the fish are doing fine.
Will keep y'all posted with the progress....
Cheers



These wood are for the supports of the stand...

These will go to support the length of the stand...



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[karaig19]

looks good hope it doesnt get too expensive on ya!