Glass for plywood aquarium

Daddypurcell86

Feeder Fish
Sep 29, 2019
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I’m looking to build a single pane plywood aquarium dimensions are going to be 84” x 30” x 30”. The glass I’m thinking 72” x 24” but I’m not sure what thickness I need. Not sure if I should go with 1/2” or 3/4”? I want to make sure it’s not going to flex and break because it’s going on my living room with he’s wood floor. Also has anyone ever built a plywood tank with acrylic viewing panel, can’t find anything definitive on that or how to do it since acrylic doesn’t like wood.
 

sikoko

Polypterus
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Aug 15, 2009
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I believe acrylic is used for smaller viewing windows, if you're worried about glass thickness go with what you feel comfortable with 3/4" is recommended . And always test fill for a bit to ensure no leaks or seepage. You should also post a build thread but beware mfkers are like piranha when it comes to updates usually.
 

Canoeist

Exodon
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Sep 12, 2019
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I typed "plywood glass" into the search and there are a few decent threads. Customaquarium.com has a glass calculator.
 
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TexasMFK31

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It's a sticky post.
 

wannadivesteve

Candiru
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Sep 10, 2015
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I think member Stempy built a large aquarium with an acrylic window that seemed to be sucessful. He used a sealant (Dow 795 if I recall) that boat builders use on hatches a lot because it'll bond both fiberglass and plastic. Might want to search for his posts. I think several others have used it to attach glass to pond liner. It isn't that acrylic doesn't like wood, it's that most silicone sealants work poorly on acrylic.
 
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twentyleagues

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Most glass calculators say 1/2 up to 30" 5/8 or 3/4 over 30" up to 40" I think. If you can find 5/8 may be the extra safety factor you want.
 
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