OK to use glass shelving with rounded edges?

[adjangs]

This glass is so cheap I have to ask if it has a chance of working in an all glass aquarium. Assuming the sheets are consistent in size so there is no need to cut or grind (it's tempered), can rounded edges form strong bonds with silicone? I'm assuming the edges have all been rounded because it is meant to be safe for customers to be around.

For example, I would be looking at:
For the front, back, and bottom, 16x48x 3/16" sheets
http://store.united-storefixtures.com/temperdg.html

For the sides, they have 16" x 16" x 3/16" sheets
http://store.united-storefixtures.com/16x16sqglpa.html

There are many other sizes of glass sheets if 3/16" is deemed too thin for a 16" tall tank. From what I've read, that's right on the edge if not a little too thin. But then, this glass is tougher than untempered glass.

 

[cvermeulen]

hmmmmm, the rounded edge would not be my first worry... 3/16 is very skinny for a 16" tall tank. yes, tempered is tougher, but it will bow like crazy (tempered glass is not much stiffer, it will just flex further before it lets go). 3/6" is also a very narrow edge to form a bond to, round or not.

glasscages sells cut sheets of glass for dirt cheap..

 

[adjangs]

I just ran the numbers and if I did it right, the safety factor would only be 1.8 for a 16" high tank, if this were ordinary glass. At 14" the safety factor would be acceptable at 2.6. So would this stuff work to make a 48" long by 14" high tank?

At 60 cents a square foot, this stuff is still looking really attractive... any other insights?

 

[famous323]

3/16 is thin no?

 

[dmopar74]

for that cheap you could just try it. i think it will bow like crazy though. would be good for a cheap reptile/small animal/turtle tank though.

 

[syndicate]

you could just buy a 4 foot for almost the same total price ?

 

[cvermeulen]

you could just buy a 4 foot for almost the same total price ?

I agree. By the time you buy the sealant, make a lid, and so on, seriously. I wouldn't do it, you could go ahead and try, but IMO anything you could make out of 3/16 glass wouldn't be worth the time.