Opinions on glass thickness for tank size

[Chicxulub]

Well, as I square up to tackle my big tank project, I've pretty much decided on a large tank from Glass Cages. As this is something I consider a major investment, having literally designed my new house around the ability to have a fish tank built into it, I wish to do my due diligence before I purchase.

This was mentioned in my thread:

Get a second opinion on what glass thickness will be required if you go with Glass Cages. I've never dealt with them myself but someone on my local aquarium group posted pics of their living room flooded with 1500 gallons of water because their custom Glass Cages tank (looked like it was just glass on the front) broke. It was the thickness they recommended but lots of people in the group said it was way too thin for the application.

And I wish to officially solicit the opinions of those who have more experience than me with larger tanks.

The tank is 8x3x3 low iron glass. 3/4" on all sides, with two 3/4" sheets sealed together for a 1.5" bottom. I researched this extensively back in 2012-2013 before my life went to hell and my previous abortive attempt to build a large tank died in the flames. I feel like this should be fine based on my memory of my research, both for the glass thickness and for GC's reputation, but it strikes me as wise to be sure before I commit to spending several thousand dollars.

Any opinions on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[Dloks]

Bro with that type of thickness you can hit a hammer on it without it breaking (don’t do it)
No it’s a solid tank with a 1.5” bottom your bulletproof

 

[twentyleagues]

I'm by far no expert but I just went through this with a local tank builder. He commonly builds a 24x24x24 cube with 3/8 glass. I asked for a 30x30x24 and looking at calculators it should have and could have been 3/8 also. But what do I know. He quoted price then decided it needed to be 1/2 or greater. So price effectively doubled. My 180 is 1/2" he really couldnt justify the size increase according to all calculators. He just said looking at the dimensions with templates in front of him he felt more comfortable doing it in the thicker glass. We agreed on a fair price for it to be done in 1/2 that way it set his "mind" ease. Il
Ive seen a 300dd at the lfs in 1\2" well 12mm really. Thats 60×36×27.
I think 3/4 is way over kill but its better safe then sorry. Im sure it'll be braced too...?

 

[islandguy11]

Timely thread Chicxulub, I'm also going to be commissioning a new, bit smaller of a tank in a couple of days, but still deciding on final dimensions of 74"L X 32"W X 28"H (280g) or 84"L X 32"W X 26"H (300g)...but wow, 3/4" glass sides (~19mm) -- my local shop here is proposing to use 12mm (~1/2") glass on sides and bottom (with glass, euro-style bracing at top and bottom) -- not trying to derail but good info here and hoping based on twentyleagues' post that 12mm should be ok for the tank sizes I've mentioned?

 

[Drstrangelove]

http://theaquatools.com/building-your-aquarium/

I used this calculator and it indicates a 2.5 safety factor (assuming a 36" water depth. It's 2.8 if it's a 34.5" depth.)

In the past I've used other more complicated calculators (yielding deflections. etc.) and this one matched those. I can't tell you if it matters to the calculator results if if it's low iron glass.

 

[twentyleagues]

I'd say above 30" depth on a large tank like C Chicxulub is looking into 3/4 is probably a smart choice its probably border line overkill but safe is better then soaked. Below 30" 1/2" properly braced should be fine. Most of the time length and width dont really come into play but one of the calculators we used while discussing my itty bitty tank took into account both with bracing placements and type of bracing being used. A euro braced tank being safer then the plastic. We priced a future tank build I want something in the realm of 600g so we did some sketching and it was all pretty much 3\4 suggested based again on depth and bracing factors. Let me tell you though glass cages had way better pricing even with shipping. It made better sense to get this little tank locally even though it cost almost as much as a marineland 180. I wish I'd have waited 2 weeks as a 150dd went on sale at my lfs for about $50 more then I payed. I could have drained the 180 and slid it over 6" right!? Lol

 

[islandguy11]

http://theaquatools.com/building-your-aquarium/

Thx for posting that handy-dandy calculator link Drstrangelove, which shows even with 3.8 Safety Factor 1/2" should be good for the tank I'm planning, and Rob of course will be sitting even safer with his 3/4".

 

[Chicxulub]

Bro with that type of thickness you can hit a hammer on it without it breaking (don’t do it)
No it’s a solid tank with a 1.5” bottom your bulletproof

Lol definitely not in the plans!

I mainly wanted to do this to show the newer members that anyone could ask for help, even me. I was fairly confident that this would be ok, but it doesn't hurt to seek affirmation on something as serious as several tons of water in your living room lol

I'm by far no expert but I just went through this with a local tank builder. He commonly builds a 24x24x24 cube with 3/8 glass. I asked for a 30x30x24 and looking at calculators it should have and could have been 3/8 also. But what do I know. He quoted price then decided it needed to be 1/2 or greater. So price effectively doubled. My 180 is 1/2" he really couldnt justify the size increase according to all calculators. He just said looking at the dimensions with templates in front of him he felt more comfortable doing it in the thicker glass. We agreed on a fair price for it to be done in 1/2 that way it set his "mind" ease. Il
Ive seen a 300dd at the lfs in 1\2" well 12mm really. Thats 60×36×27.
I think 3/4 is way over kill but its better safe then sorry. Im sure it'll be braced too...?

I'd be happier with the 1/2 inch myself as well tbh. This tank will be braced.

Timely thread Chicxulub, I'm also going to be commissioning a new, bit smaller of a tank in a couple of days, but still deciding on final dimensions of 74"L X 32"W X 28"H (280g) or 84"L X 32"W X 26"H (300g)...but wow, 3/4" glass sides (~19mm) -- my local shop here is proposing to use 12mm (~1/2") glass on sides and bottom (with glass, euro-style bracing at top and bottom) -- not trying to derail but good info here and hoping based on twentyleagues' post that 12mm should be ok for the tank sizes I've mentioned?

Most of the 300ish tanks I've seen for sale commercially are 1/2". I suspect that you'd likely be fine. Personally? I'd get the thickest glass that they offer.

http://theaquatools.com/building-your-aquarium/

I used this calculator and it indicates a 2.5 safety factor (assuming a 36" water depth. It's 2.8 if it's a 34.5" depth.)

In the past I've used other more complicated calculators (yielding deflections. etc.) and this one matched those. I can't tell you if it matters to the calculator results if if it's low iron glass.

Great post! According to that, the tank is pretty overbuilt. It seems to think that a tank that's 5/8 glass would be fine. I'm all about having things that are overbuilt tbh.