I would go with 36" W if you you have room. 36" H will be difficult to work with. I have 28" H and would not go beyond that. As mentioned above, it all depends on the additional bracing. Will it be rimless with eurobrace, or have non-glass bracing around the perimeter plastic bracing?
Glass Thickness for New Aquarium.
- Thread starter Addi_13
- Start date
DN 328, I do not know which is better bracing. I just contacted my local fish shop, the guy says he will need 6" height for bracing with additional bottom bracing/support as well.
I am thinking of going with 78" L X 34" W X 30" H now but I am also using 15 mm non tempered glass now. Do you think that dimensions will work with 15 mm or reduce the width/depth back to 30"? Also I checked the safety factor with 15 mm is around 3.2 with 78" L X 34" W X 30" H dimensions.
What you need to ask the lfs is what type of bracing they apply. Im curious why 6" is required. Im not suggesting which bracing is better, BUT, you need to ask the lfs more questions on what bracing. Also, as far as Im aware, bracing design also plays a part in safety factor and not just glass thickness.
My tank is 72x30x28H as reference with 12mm non-tempered starphire glass on both length sides and one end. 12mm 4" Eurobrace on top and bottom perimeter with 2 12mm, 4" wide cross brace.
Although water depth isnt as important, I like having a few more inches of water. Also, some folks drop their water level by a few inches, so you should factor that in.
My tank is 72x30x28H as reference with 12mm non-tempered starphire glass on both length sides and one end. 12mm 4" Eurobrace on top and bottom perimeter with 2 12mm, 4" wide cross brace.
Although water depth isnt as important, I like having a few more inches of water. Also, some folks drop their water level by a few inches, so you should factor that in.
Hello DN328 and Everyone,
I have finalised the tank today and payed advance to the LFS guy. My final dimensions are 78" L X 32" D X 27" H (After Bracing) and it will have thickness of 15 mm glass with front glass, Starphire glass. The guy is using 5" for bracing and he will be using 19 mm thick glass just for bracing. I still do not know what type of bracing it will be but since I am an Architect, I have made some basic sketch of my aquarium as per my understanding of LFS guy. The same bracing will be on top and bottom. (I have kept the bottom section of tank with the bracing and covered the rest with sand so bracing is clearly visible to you.)
The sketch contains pictures of both dimensions and bracing so you'll get a better understanding. Also I have attached it without dimensions too and few pics with lady inside it so you'll get an idea of the size. Have fun and let me know if my dimensions and glass will be okay and safe now. The safety factor is 3.92 or almost 4 now with 15 mm glass and hope bracing will make it above 5. The aquarium will be around 1100 litres or 292 US Gallons. There will be a 4' sump with 4 partitions at the bottom with 3000 gph or more pump and all the media like ceramic rings, bio balls, sponges, activated carbon . The aquarium is costing me around $1000 USD with everything like lights, cabinet, stand etc.
Thanks and Kind Regards,
Additya
I have finalised the tank today and payed advance to the LFS guy. My final dimensions are 78" L X 32" D X 27" H (After Bracing) and it will have thickness of 15 mm glass with front glass, Starphire glass. The guy is using 5" for bracing and he will be using 19 mm thick glass just for bracing. I still do not know what type of bracing it will be but since I am an Architect, I have made some basic sketch of my aquarium as per my understanding of LFS guy. The same bracing will be on top and bottom. (I have kept the bottom section of tank with the bracing and covered the rest with sand so bracing is clearly visible to you.)
The sketch contains pictures of both dimensions and bracing so you'll get a better understanding. Also I have attached it without dimensions too and few pics with lady inside it so you'll get an idea of the size. Have fun and let me know if my dimensions and glass will be okay and safe now. The safety factor is 3.92 or almost 4 now with 15 mm glass and hope bracing will make it above 5. The aquarium will be around 1100 litres or 292 US Gallons. There will be a 4' sump with 4 partitions at the bottom with 3000 gph or more pump and all the media like ceramic rings, bio balls, sponges, activated carbon . The aquarium is costing me around $1000 USD with everything like lights, cabinet, stand etc.
Thanks and Kind Regards,
Additya
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I definitely don't understand why the bracing is lowered 6" into the tank. It will perform the same function 6" higher at the top of the tank, and then you get more height in the tank.
Addi_13 - I think the lady is too big for that size tank LOL ;-)
Joking aside, I tend to agree with Travis - why is the Euro-brace 6" down from the top edge of the tank? Other than that, I think the euro-brace and cross bracing seems above standard given what I've read in the past. Here's a picture, albeit not great, of how the my top bracing looks. My builder ended up moving the cross bracing on top of the euro-brace rather than attaching edge of the brace to edge of the euro-brace.
Joking aside, I tend to agree with Travis - why is the Euro-brace 6" down from the top edge of the tank? Other than that, I think the euro-brace and cross bracing seems above standard given what I've read in the past. Here's a picture, albeit not great, of how the my top bracing looks. My builder ended up moving the cross bracing on top of the euro-brace rather than attaching edge of the brace to edge of the euro-brace.
If a fat lady can fit in there then a fat arowana will easily live a Happy Life 
.
And yes i am now confused too, I might tell him to just use 4" maximum for bracing. Also please suggest and advise now whether the glass thickness for the dimensions will be okay?
Wow man your tank looks good but please share some full length pictures. Curious to see what kind of beats are lurking in there?
Regards,
Additya
. And yes i am now confused too, I might tell him to just use 4" maximum for bracing. Also please suggest and advise now whether the glass thickness for the dimensions will be okay?
Wow man your tank looks good but please share some full length pictures. Curious to see what kind of beats are lurking in there?
Regards,
Additya
Given your shared dimensions, I think your glass thickness is sufficient, imo. Mind you, I've never built my own tank that size, I had done some reading of this topic. I also would have no issues with him using the larger / thicker glass for bracing. Have you seen their work or read anything about the folks building.If a fat lady can fit in there then a fat arowana will easily live a Happy Life
And yes i am now confused too, I might tell him to just use 4" maximum for bracing. Also please suggest and advise now whether the glass thickness for the dimensions will be okay?
Wow man your tank looks good but please share some full length pictures. Curious to see what kind of beats are lurking in there?
Regards,
Additya
I have only the Lei, couple BP, gold nugget / phantom plecos in the tank, thanks.
Hello Guys,
I am happy to tell you that my project have started and LFS guy have just pasted the outer glasses yesterday. Again the final dimensions are 75" Length X 32" Depth X 32" Height. The front glass is starphire glass with 19 mm thickness and rest is 15 mm with normal glass. Here are some pictures, sorry the room is bit untidy. The guy asked me for a plyboard before making the aquarium but as I didn't had it he checked the level of the floor and used few newspapers, clothes and tape.
The stand and other material are getting ready. I am still confused about how to place light and the canopy(which material to use). The sump will be 48" L X 18" D and 16" H. Let me know guys what you think, any suggestions or advise will be really helpful. Will this be considered as a monster tank? Btw thats my current 4 feet tank in the background which looks so small in comparison now.
Regards,
Additya
I am happy to tell you that my project have started and LFS guy have just pasted the outer glasses yesterday. Again the final dimensions are 75" Length X 32" Depth X 32" Height. The front glass is starphire glass with 19 mm thickness and rest is 15 mm with normal glass. Here are some pictures, sorry the room is bit untidy. The guy asked me for a plyboard before making the aquarium but as I didn't had it he checked the level of the floor and used few newspapers, clothes and tape.
The stand and other material are getting ready. I am still confused about how to place light and the canopy(which material to use). The sump will be 48" L X 18" D and 16" H. Let me know guys what you think, any suggestions or advise will be really helpful. Will this be considered as a monster tank? Btw thats my current 4 feet tank in the background which looks so small in comparison now.
Regards,
Additya
My tank is only just smaller than this, 1000 litre on paper.
I used 12mm all around. It is 64"x 33 &1/2" x 28"
Not much different, the braces are only 1&1/2" into the top.
Braces are 4" 12mm.
Base is twin skin 12mm.
Running for well over 6 years...... No leaks or bursts!
I designed and built it myself.
I used 12mm all around. It is 64"x 33 &1/2" x 28"
Not much different, the braces are only 1&1/2" into the top.
Braces are 4" 12mm.
Base is twin skin 12mm.
Running for well over 6 years...... No leaks or bursts!
I designed and built it myself.
