Hey all, I've looked around and can't find much info on tempered glass other than it cant be drilled. I'm building a ply/fiberglass tank and plan to use a 1300mmx700mm section of 12mm tempered glass pool fence. ($60 from a home improvement store) The internal tank dimensions are 1500x800x800. Around 250gal or 1000L. I'm building it to be very strong so theres no flex, bc I don't know how much tempered will bow before shattering. Will be fiberglassed inside by an expert so it should be a very sturdy tank. Was just wondering if anyone has used tempered on a tank other than the bottom. My old 150gal xtall had a temp. bottom and I accidentally banged it with rocks while full and it held fine. I've looked at the safety factor for 12mm plate and it was kinda "iffy" but I'm thinking since I'm using tempered, 12mm should be fine?
TEMPERED vs. PLATE GLASS
- Thread starter apennell07
- Start date
tank gets bolted together, part of the front frame is laying on top of the frame in the second pic
I have seen videos on youtube of people jumping up and down on a piece of tempered glass while it flexed/bowed 6+ inches without breaking. I think the issue with having the glass bow and knowing it's going to bow is the fear of having the glass pull away from the silicone while it bows. My tank is about 28" deep and I used 1/2" glass with no issues but I do think you are right on the edge. Why no lower the tank a little and go with plate glass?
because its already built lol and i wanted it this size. and the local glass shops have a monopoly on the market here in south aus. and a big piece of glass is about $300. but a section of pool fence is $60. i"m going to use loads of silicon and the glass sits in a 1 1/2" lip top n bottom and a 2 1/4" lip on the sides. ill look on youtube for those vids
My 55 gal I had was tempered on the sides also. Tempered glass can't be cut either so I hope the stuff ur buyin is the size u want. Tempered is also stronger than plate glass but when it breaks it just explodes. I guess its really up to you on what u want to use.
yeah i built the tank to fit the pool fence size. and as far as it shattering, if a tank this big breaks, yur pretty screwed anyways. ill fill it up in the backyard when its done and give it a good whack with my hand. that way ill know if my clumsy gf bumps it, it should hold fine.
If you go by your dimensions including factoring in the lip.
1168 x 660 comes out to 12.16mm. I think you'll be OK.
1168 x 660 comes out to 12.16mm. I think you'll be OK.
Toughened or "tempered Glass" would be the way to go as its only weakest on its edges.
so unless you hit the edges with a hammer it would hold, the same wouldn't be so true for plate glass, unless you can get hold of 12mm laminate or thicker.
so unless you hit the edges with a hammer it would hold, the same wouldn't be so true for plate glass, unless you can get hold of 12mm laminate or thicker.
