Seal-less Tank

[metalyx]

Hey guys, starting up a new project and starting here for information gathering.

The new setup has several necessities that I have yet to deal with but I think we can figure it out. The first of is, no sealant and no plexi-glass. I'm not thinking a tank with the edges sealed from the outside would confidently support the pressure of the water so I'm thinking, melt the glass together to form a solid piece. We'll have plenty of space to test it out for leaks but I'm completely new to this. Any one have any experience with this bit?

This is continuing of course to a marine system devoid of plexi-glass as well. The sump is being designed with the same restrictions and perhaps a whole algae scrubber. The piping has been handled and isn't the usual poly-vinyl either. The point of which is to limit any chemical leaching into the system, even down to the most minute amounts.

Any help or questions are appreciated, swim on!

 

[revlemmon]

Is it even possible to melt the glass panels togather like that and still maintain is structural integrity?

 

[bigbadfish711]

I don't know your back ground or what facilities you have access to. What I do know is glass melts at some where between 1832 °F and 2912 °F. The temp at witch the glass melts will rely on what the glass is composed of. This will be critical in you project. From the reading I have done it seams that glass gets more brittle/fragile the more you heat it. Do not quote me on this I could have been misinformed. I would think that the every DIYer would have many issues with trying make a seamless tank that is sturdy enough to serve as a aquarium. How ever I have seen on some sites seamless tanks of different sizes. I do not know how they make these tanks, but if I had to guess I would say by casting. A casting would be one solid piece of glass and would possibly be more sound. If you find any other information as how you are going to do this then please share it with us. You have my interest peaked.

http://www.4fishtank.com/mv_bow.htm

 

[metalyx]

That's a bit of the concern I have myself, keeping the integrity up whilst de-seaming. From the sources I'm finding, the quality of glass, such as using tempered glass will make the process more difficult, albeit cheaper for the availability of materials.

I've thought of casting, and that would certainly be an option but I'd certainly have to contract out for it.

The interesting upside is, the better I can pull this off, the better I can get funding for it. The end goal here is to form a miniature biome as close to self-sufficient as possible, leading up to a massive research tank. Basic filtration isn't too much of a problem but the minute amount of chemicals leaked into a system through the epoxy and the aforementioned plexi-glass are still too high. Once you can filter hormones out of the system, everything can be filtered.

Those seamless systems are gorgeous, and what I would love to incorporate. I'll have to see if the budgeting fairies like me...

 

[bigbadfish711]

That's a bit of the concern I have myself, keeping the integrity up whilst de-seaming. From the sources I'm finding, the quality of glass, such as using tempered glass will make the process more difficult, albeit cheaper for the availability of materials.

I've thought of casting, and that would certainly be an option but I'd certainly have to contract out for it.

The interesting upside is, the better I can pull this off, the better I can get funding for it. The end goal here is to form a miniature biome as close to self-sufficient as possible, leading up to a massive research tank. Basic filtration isn't too much of a problem but the minute amount of chemicals leaked into a system through the epoxy and the aforementioned plexi-glass are still too high. Once you can filter hormones out of the system, everything can be filtered.

Those seamless systems are gorgeous, and what I would love to incorporate. I'll have to see if the budgeting fairies like me...

Good luck with the project and let us know how it works out.

 

[FLESHY]

This sounds completely crazy.

Where are you? And what are you doing that someone might pay for you to make a fish tank? haha

 

[scalesandfins]

always with the seriuos questions fleshy.

 

[metalyx]

Quick update. We're considering coating the inside of the piping, edges of sealed glass and potential acrylic exposure with teflon. From experience it only bleeds into the surroundings at high temperatures and even with the abrasive wear of saltwater, will remain harmless to potential inhabitants.

 

[Heathd]

Im concerned that the 90 degree corners of a traditional rectanguler or square tank is going to be huge issue with stress at the joints and cause it to fail. The silicone is elastic and somewhat forgiving, but fusing the glass together creates a fixed-fixed joint.

 

[Kevin8888]

The only "seemless" tanks i've seen are acrylic tanks or fish bowls... I cant see this being possible with glass, if you tryed to do it to tempered glass it would probably shatter, as tempered glass is under pressure noramly and changing the pressure distribution (by heating) could cause it to fail. If your concerned about failure from lack of support throw a Stainless Steel bracing frame around outside corners. That also said, and sand particels or dirt/grit/shells etc, that end up hitting your tefflon will slowly wear it off, its IMPOSSIBLE to have no chemical leaching, and even more impossible if your tank is open to the air.