TOTW 5-3-05 Information Needed for DIY Glass Tank Design

Steven Pro · 03-06-2005, 11:13 AM

I am looking for books, articles, online calculators, anything that shows how thick the glass needs to be for various size aquariums. I want to build something custom that has base dimensions of 48" wide by 96" long, but I don't know what height and what thickness glass I need. If anyone knows of any references, that would be greatly appreciated.

MISTERFIXIT · 03-06-2005, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Pro

I am looking for books, articles, online calculators, anything that shows how thick the glass needs to be for various size aquariums. I want to build something custom that has base dimensions of 48" wide by 96" long, but I don't know what height and what thickness glass I need. If anyone knows of any references, that would be greatly appreciated.

Hey ,
GARF.COM has a tank calculator in their diy column

Marc

Steven Pro · 03-06-2005, 08:32 PM

Thanks! Someone else also pointed me to the GARF calculator and a spreadsheet on aboutsaltwater.com Unfortunately, the two don't coincide. GARF says 1/2" would be ok while the spreadsheet says to use 3/4". I am going to lean towards the more conservative estimate and get price quotes for 3/4". At the very least, I will feel fairly comfortable with 3/4".

***Reefland*** · 03-06-2005, 09:50 PM

Steven,

I know for Starphire tanks, the builders require laminated Starphire to be used for tanks that are 40" wide (from a previous thread here on RL). Starphire glass is 12mm wide (1/2") so for a tank 96" x 40", 2 laminated sheets totalling 24mm (1") is required. Since Starphire only comes in 12mm (19mm was available several years ago), I don't know if they would recommend 19mm thickness for a 40" wide tank (like the one mentioned in the in the thread on Reefland I was referencing) if it was available and besides, adding the additional 8" might bump the requirement to 1" anyway.

What you might consider if locating a manufacturer that has the Diamante glass available in 19mm (3/4") and see if they would recommend this thickness for your dimensions.

P.S. I was doing a bit more searching and found some information on Wayne Shang's 96"x48Xx36" Starphire tank. His tank was manufactured by LeeMar and was built with 19mm glass. His tank was built about 4 years ago and it was mentioned that LeeMar had a hard time finding the 19mm thickness. This was right at the time that PPG Industries stopped producing the 19mm.

I guess 3/4" will be just fine for your application since the length and width is the same as Wayne's 718 gallon tank.

ricksreef · 03-07-2005, 09:50 AM

here's another chart to add to your list.

http://www.thekrib.com/TankHardware/...thickness.html

greyhares · 04-30-2005, 09:41 PM

I remember that tank well. Any tank with a 96 X 48 footprint needs to go with 3/4" glass unless it's a flat that's maybe 14" high. Lee-Mar is now using the Diamante glass for the largerts tanks.

**scubadude** · 05-03-2005, 08:29 AM

Try this one out too Steve

http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/..._Aquarium.html

03-06-2005, 11:13 AM	#1
Steven Pro Mayor Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 672	TOTW 5-3-05 Information Needed for DIY Glass Tank Design I am looking for books, articles, online calculators, anything that shows how thick the glass needs to be for various size aquariums. I want to build something custom that has base dimensions of 48" wide by 96" long, but I don't know what height and what thickness glass I need. If anyone knows of any references, that would be greatly appreciated.

03-06-2005, 09:50 PM	#4
*Reefland* Owner Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Bardstown, KY Posts: 13,135	Steven, I know for Starphire tanks, the builders require laminated Starphire to be used for tanks that are 40" wide (from a previous thread here on RL). Starphire glass is 12mm wide (1/2") so for a tank 96" x 40", 2 laminated sheets totalling 24mm (1") is required. Since Starphire only comes in 12mm (19mm was available several years ago), I don't know if they would recommend 19mm thickness for a 40" wide tank (like the one mentioned in the in the thread on Reefland I was referencing) if it was available and besides, adding the additional 8" might bump the requirement to 1" anyway. What you might consider if locating a manufacturer that has the Diamante glass available in 19mm (3/4") and see if they would recommend this thickness for your dimensions. P.S. I was doing a bit more searching and found some information on Wayne Shang's 96"x48Xx36" Starphire tank. His tank was manufactured by LeeMar and was built with 19mm glass. His tank was built about 4 years ago and it was mentioned that LeeMar had a hard time finding the 19mm thickness. This was right at the time that PPG Industries stopped producing the 19mm. I guess 3/4" will be just fine for your application since the length and width is the same as Wayne's 718 gallon tank. __________________ Scott Z. 75 Gallon Reef Log Powered by Reefland's Personal Online Aquarium Log

05-03-2005, 08:29 AM	#7
scubadude Moderator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 5,314	another link Try this one out too Steve http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/..._Aquarium.html __________________ Rocky

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03-06-2005, 08:32 PM	#3
Steven Pro Mayor Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 672	Thanks! Someone else also pointed me to the GARF calculator and a spreadsheet on aboutsaltwater.com Unfortunately, the two don't coincide. GARF says 1/2" would be ok while the spreadsheet says to use 3/4". I am going to lean towards the more conservative estimate and get price quotes for 3/4". At the very least, I will feel fairly comfortable with 3/4".

03-07-2005, 09:50 AM	#5
ricksreef Citizen Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: s.e. fla. Posts: 164	here's another chart to add to your list. http://www.thekrib.com/TankHardware/...thickness.html

04-30-2005, 09:41 PM	#6
greyhares Just Moved In Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: SAN DIEGO Posts: 6	I remember that tank well. Any tank with a 96 X 48 footprint needs to go with 3/4" glass unless it's a flat that's maybe 14" high. Lee-Mar is now using the Diamante glass for the largerts tanks.

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