Stainless Steel Monster Tank

[noledoc]

Hello all,
I've been working with my contractor, thinking thru ways to construct a ten foot long steel frame glass tank. We would need glass to be .5" thick even though there would be a steel frame around all 12 edges of the tank.
It occurred to me that if the tank were all welded stainless steel except for the large 10 ft x 25" viewing window (open top), we would certainly minimize the risk for leaks and breakage etc.
Could some of you wise people weigh in on this please?
Specific questions:
Would any part of the steel leech into the tank in a way dangerous to living inhabitants?
Would I need to coat the inside with fiberglass or sealant for any reason?
If I decided to use styrofoam to make a background, would silicone glue the styrofoam in place well enough?
Thanks very much
Paul

 

[prober]

I would use 3/4 on the bottom. I think you could use 3m 4200 to attach the styrofoam.

 

[noledoc]

Thanks for the feedback. When you say 3/4 would you be refering to the thickness of the steel floor?

 

[noledoc]

Thanks Prober. I'll try some of the other fish places to see if anyone there knows a bit about steel tanks.

 

[TheFishJunky]

Stainless steal is big bucks $$$

 

[Full Metal Gundam]

the front glass would need to be atleast 5/8" better yet 3/4" to 1" would be safe. how wide will the tank be?

 

[kendragon]

Stainless steel will corrode. More so at the welded joints. We have a 600 gal SS tank filled with water at work for pressure testing parts. It bows pretty bad even with stiffeners along the sides. Any dissimilar metal that falls in will also leave (rusty) stains.

 

[leeishom]

depends on what type of S/S you need to use. for example: food grade and commercial equipment is 304. an yes, after welding S/S will corrode, even after polishing. all gauges above 10 will bend to pressure.
a sheet of 8'X4' of S/S will cost around $180, depends what type, gauge and supplier.

 

[Piscine]

depends on what type of S/S you need to use. for example: food grade and commercial equipment is 304. an yes, after welding S/S will corrode, even after polishing. all gauges above 10 will bend to pressure.
a sheet of 8'X4' of S/S will cost around $180, depends what type, gauge and supplier.

Show me where you can get a stainless 4x8 sheet for that price.

 

[leeishom]

Show me where you can get a stainless 4x8 sheet for that price.

allow me to clarify: for commercial and bulk P.O's. the approximate price is $180.
depends on gauge, type.

i live in Seattle, Wa. so, Alaskan copper & brass is the only supplier of quality raw metallic products.

here ya go: http://www.alaskancopper.com/ss_sp.php