Help with design for a 350g tank

[getandistr]

So I am planning to build a new tank and I have some support questions. Below is the picture of the footprint. The light brown is the current wood including the 2x4's and plywood and the blue is the glass. The question is where I can get away with not using the dark brown supports as this will take away from the glass. The only dimension not listed is the height which will be 36" and also the glass will be .75" Starphire.

 

[xdragonxb0i]

i would leave it the way it is.

 

[getandistr]

But is there anyway for me to brace it without using those sections?

 

[Conner]

If you have sufficient top and bottom bracing, then you could probably get away with siliconing the 3 front glass sections together. However, you'll probably want to get the edges mitered so that they meet together flush, rather than having corners come together. That might be more expensive that just adding the supports at each joint.

 

[Egon]

But is there anyway for me to brace it without using those sections?

What kind of top bracing are you using? If you brace it like an acrylic tank (totally support the top inch or so of the glass panels) then you would be able to get rid of the vertical braces on the front.

 

[Egon]

If you have sufficient top and bottom bracing, then you could probably get away with siliconing the 3 front glass sections together. However, you'll probably want to get the edges mitered so that they meet together flush, rather than having corners come together. That might be more expensive that just adding the supports at each joint.

I disagree on the miter, I would just have the edges rounded and just barley touching. That way if they flex a little there wont be chipping. The rounded edge is stronger also. Less chance of chipping
3/4 glass wont flex much, silicon glue will be able to seal it easy if the top and bottom are supported.

 

[Conner]

I disagree on the miter, I would just have the edges rounded and just barley touching. That way if they flex a little there wont be chipping. The rounded edge is stronger also. Less chance of chipping
3/4 glass wont flex much, silicon glue will be able to seal it easy if the top and bottom are supported.

Ok. I don't have any experience with mitered edges (i.e. any weird shaped tanks), but it seemed like it would be better to have a more even gap between the panes for the silicone to bond to. But I admit I could very well be wrong, as I don't know that much about it.

The point is you don't have to have those supports IF you brace the top and bottom well enough.

 

[BadOleRoss]

I would go look at a hexagon tank and see if those edges are flat or mitered. Of course, we are talking about a much larger scale so it might not be relevant. I am not sure the point is you dont have to have supports. The point is probobly more like, you might not need those supports. I think with the correct thickness of glass and proper top bracing, you can loose the supports. I like the rounded edges better!

 

[getandistr]

I will be having about 2" of wood on the top and bottom of the tank. I like the idea of the rounded edges because the mitered edges might be too tight and cause the chipping. The main reason why I dont want those supports is so they are not in the way of the glass and I get a better view of the fish.

 

[Egon]

I would go look at a hexagon tank and see if those edges are flat or mitered. Of course, we are talking about a much larger scale so it might not be relevant. I am not sure the point is you dont have to have supports. The point is probobly more like, you might not need those supports. I think with the correct thickness of glass and proper top bracing, you can loose the supports. I like the rounded edges better!

Good point! I have zero experience on the glass edges. I agree with the above and the one above this one. The point is we all think it's do-able with proper bracing. Minor research on the edges and so on then your all set!