DIY Tank Glass Vs Ply

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monsterkeeper87

monsterkeeper87

Piranha
MFK Member
Jan 16, 2013
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I am going to start a tank build early next year, the tank is going to be 8'x4'x3' and I'm trying to decide if I should build a plywood or glass aquarium, my questions so far are:

1. What thickness of glass or ply will in need?

2. Best silicone for building glass and/or plywood

3.sump vs large high quality canisters e.g. FX5

Any other ideas or tips also appreciated :)


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Just found a calculator that says I need 20mm with float glass and no bracing with a safety rating of 2.67 without bracing and that's with water to the very top, so another question.

Should I use float or toughened glass? Toughened is stronger but when it fails it shatters where as float just cracks...


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It would really be your call. If the price difference is no problem for you, the add security of tempered glass may be nice.
Is the tank going to be in a high traffic area? Is there a chance the tank may tank a hit from someone or something? If so tempered glass may be the way to go.
Do you plan on adding overflows at a later date? You may want to stay with regular float glass so it can be drilled.
This is all assuming you build a glass aquarium.
If you go with plywood and only plan to use the glass for the front then it really wouldn't matter. You could just go with the tempered glass for the added strength.
 
BIG-G said:
It would really be your call. If the price difference is no problem for you, the add security of tempered glass may be nice.
Is the tank going to be in a high traffic area? Is there a chance the tank may tank a hit from someone or something? If so tempered glass may be the way to go.
Do you plan on adding overflows at a later date? You may want to stay with regular float glass so it can be drilled.
This is all assuming you build a glass aquarium.
If you go with plywood and only plan to use the glass for the front then it really wouldn't matter. You could just go with the tempered glass for the added strength.
Click to expand...

It's not in a really high traffic area but I have a 2 year old that likes to throw stuff lol the only thing that puts me off of tempered glass is that if it did break it would instantly empty where as float glass usually cracks.
I do want a sump filter but I'm worried about noise? Never had 1 before but have been told that can be fairly loud.


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David R said:
I went with glass for a similar size tank but only 700mm high, because I got the 15mm glass dirt cheap. Any taller and I would have gone DIY because of the cost of the glass.

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Click to expand...

Ok thanks, I might consider going lower if there is a massive difference in cost


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