DIY rimless? (noob)

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
O

Ophiuchi

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 17, 2009
53
3
0
Southern California
okay, so i dont know anything about building aquariums, ive read up a bit on what silicone sealants to use and what thickness of glass to use but its not within my means at the moment to work with wood..(no access to saws and tools untill mid october) so i was thinking the best thing to do would be to go rimless?

this tank is going to be used in an art project for school, its going to be furnished like a bathroom and its going to be very small by MFK DIY standards (2'x2'x12.5' ideally) and its going to house a single common goldfish.
so i guess all in all this is going to be asking for alot of information, i was wondering how i should go about holding the panes of glass together without rims, and if this is even feesible in a diy setting, i was also wondering how to make the things i put in aquarium safe? i was thinking about painting everything i put in with silicone sealant, but i bet theres a better way.

ive been looking at glasscages for prices on glass at different thicknesses, i read in the sticky that for my size tank 6 mm would be safe, but im pretty sure the demands of a rimless tank would be different and im not sure in what way. also i was wondering if their prices were good, as i couldnt find any glass on ebay

for filtration i was gonna buy an HOB because its such a small tank and its cost effective... but if you guys have any sugestions for some sort of diy mechanical filtration or for some reason an hob wont work for a rimless, i guess i could build that and a mini sump just for fun, i really have nothing better to do so i have plenty of time to listen and learn and get this thing done
theres probably a million things that i didnt think to consider so your knowledge is really valuable to me

if you guys think this isnt possible i guess ill just go buy a 29 gallon... but since this is an art project i reallythink i should be building it myself...
 
>> single common goldfish
>> common goldfish
>> goldfish

HAHAHA, this is amusing to me but at the same time rage worthy to other MFK people. Did you mean 2' x 2' x 12.5"? Honestly, go to www.dexknows.com and search "glass" to find a glass manufacturer near you. Most of them will give you a free estimate on glass prices, so hit up a few to find the best deal. Also, there are a few glass thickness calculators you can find here on the MFK forums, I believe you want a 3.8 something rating to make the tank safe if you truly want a rimless tank.
 
Glass Thickness Calculator Glass Thickness Calculator Glass Thickness Calculator Glass Thickness Calculator

User Defined Settings
Length 24.00 in
Width 24.00 in
Height 12.50 in
Desired Safety Factor 6.0 sf

Recommendations
Side/Back/Front 0.22 in
S/B/F Deflection 0.01 in
Bottom Thickness 0.27 in
Bottom Deflection 0.00 in
 
clgkag;3481833; said:
Glass Thickness Calculator Glass Thickness Calculator Glass Thickness Calculator Glass Thickness Calculator

User Defined Settings
Length 24.00 in
Width 24.00 in
Height 12.50 in
Desired Safety Factor 6.0 sf

Recommendations
Side/Back/Front 0.22 in
S/B/F Deflection 0.01 in
Bottom Thickness 0.27 in
Bottom Deflection 0.00 in
Click to expand...

Wow this calculator is interesting...if you put in Width of 12.5" and Height of 24" it wants a Bottom Thickness of 15.97mm, and that is with a 3.8sf.

Sorry for the confusion, this calculator was found on a thread in the DIY section.:confused:
 
The 24 inch height is what changed the recommendations. No worries, we are all here to help each other.
 
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