Glass thickness for tank worry.

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Cheesetian

Cheesetian

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Oct 14, 2010
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I'm buying a secondhand glass tank soon, the dimensions are 6x2.5.x2.5 and the glass thickness is 10mm. I've got one worry though. I usually see tanks of that dimension made with 12mm glass. Is 10mm risky and is there a high chance it will snap? Just curious. I'm getting the tank for $100.

Thanks and much appreciated.
 
I know I haven't been awake very long yet this morning and I haven't had near enough coffee...but 6X2.5X2.5 is 280 gallons on my calculator. At that size tank, 14mm is the thinnest the thickness calculator is showing as "safe".

Is this a DIY tank or a manufactured tank? I believe you should verify all dimenions before buying it. If it's a homemade tank made from 10mm glass and a volume of 200+ gallons, I am fairly confident it will fail.
 
Looking at various UK tank makers 12MM seems to be the standard thickness of glass used in that size of tank.My understanding is that pressure on the glass is dictated by the water height of the aquarium,a 24" aquarium should be built of 10MM glass a 30" tank(as yours is)should be 12MM.These are minimum safe thicknesses that should insure the aquarium is above the minimum safety factor of 2,although your size comes out at 1.9 safety factor with 12mm
Here is a link from a well respected UK company,built many tanks for people.
http://www.aquariums.ltd.uk/Aquariu...KcHNEhJ3OdUz7WWeIySR7gxk3P4yqGPEgX3ppGV5b5Rcu

as you can see the same size tank as yours in 12mm glass even though it seems to be below the safety factor of 2.If you go up to 6.5ft in length from the same company with all the other figures staying the same they use 15mm.
Without a doubt 12mm would be the very minimum that I would even consider on a tank of that size but would probably pass unless it was 15mm
 
I'm pretty sure it's a manufactured tank from the pictures the seller sent me. I was really stoked about getting a tank that cheap but was immediately worried about the glass thickness because i've been here long enough to know 10mm is pretty thin. My preferred stock would be fishes like Afros and Asian Arowanas and i was afraid a hard knock and the glass would snap and i'd have to redo my entire living room floor. I'll let the guy know then. Thanks you three, answered all my questions. Here are the pictures.

tank (2).JPG

tank (4).JPG

tank (1).JPG

tank (3).JPG
 
12mm is the min like others have said. If your really keen on the tank, then I would only fill to around 24". I know it defeats the pupose, but the tank is second hand and who knows how old and how long the tank has been with out water.

From your pics the base looks around 12mm !
 
It's kind of a cool looking tank. It's got that retro look to it. I know a lot of older tanks had metal framing, but none I ever saw looked like this one. It does appear to be "homemade" (the frosted side panel looks like recycled office door glass). The frame underneath looks to be a bit on the weak side too.

Good call though. Too bad...I was hoping you were getting a 200+g tank for little money!
 
CLDarnell;4904412; said:
It's kind of a cool looking tank. It's got that retro look to it. I know a lot of older tanks had metal framing, but none I ever saw looked like this one. It does appear to be "homemade" (the frosted side panel looks like recycled office door glass). The frame underneath looks to be a bit on the weak side too.

Good call though. Too bad...I was hoping you were getting a 200+g tank for little money!
Click to expand...

I did ask him about the frosted sides. He says it's some sorta' sticker so that the arowana won't try to attack its own reflection, also says it can be removed so i'm not too worried about that. Indeed, when i first saw it i thought to myself: "Metal framing, cool!". Now, guess not. Thanks anyway man!

impala;4904555; said:
Don't walk, RUN away. :popcorn:
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Just texted him to let him know the deal's off. Thanks.

nes999;4904845; said:
just ask him to fill it for you. for 100 if nothing else make your own tnk with the glass.
Click to expand...

Won't be doing that cos' i ain't buying it no more. Thanks anyway!
 
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