Large tank-QUESTION

[xboroinc]

i want to build around a 210-300g.
using plexiglass.or glass i plan on just finding broken tanks or junked glass that i can use.
the question is if the glass isn't thick enough can i just make a ribbed wooden frame and lay the glass in it. almost like if i was building a pond but line it with glass or plexiglass. i never did a diy tank before HELPPPP!!!

 

[frazzlerock5]

If the glass isn't thick enough, you would be running the risk of it blowing out from the pressure and the weight of the water, regardless if you have supports around the edges or not. For that size tank, I wouldn't do any less than 1/2"

 

[Bosco1025]

that sounds like a kind of ghetto way to try and hold that much water. if you are very experienced in carpentry and have a good concept of engineering, you could make it work. but you would probably be best off just building a plywood tank and finding one suitable sheet of glass to use as a veiwing window.

if you do what you mentioned, bracing the glass, just imagine if you were to tap the glass accidently with a hard object. there will still be just as much overall pressure pushing on the glass, just not so much of a "bow" effect.

 

[xboroinc]

yes it is kinda ghetto. i am a little short on $ these days and i just want to build a nice big tank.

 

[spiff]

Actually, I think you have a good idea there. Its no different that creating a wooden box to support a thin epoxy layer to hold the water. Using outside supports to reinforce glass that can't hold over a certain span would work fine too.

Bosco has a valid point tho too regarding loaded glass. You would want to provide enough wooden reinforcements to bring the load down on the glass to what would be acceptable for that thickness. Because as he says, if its under too much stress it could break much easier than it should.

I wouldn't go any thinner than .50 either on something like that.